"Halal" is one of those words that gets used a lot but isn't always well understood. If you're not Muslim, you might have a vague idea that it's something to do with how meat is prepared. If you are Muslim, you know it's much more than that.
Here's a simple, honest explanation.
What does halal mean?
Halal is an Arabic word that means "permissible." In the context of food, it refers to what Muslims are allowed to eat according to Islamic law. If you want the technical detail behind our own kitchen, our halal certification page lays out our suppliers and certificates.
The basics: - Halal meat must come from an animal that was slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines - a swift cut to the throat, with a prayer spoken at the time of slaughter - Pork and its byproducts are not halal - Alcohol is not halal - Blood must be fully drained from the meat
What makes a restaurant halal?
This is where it gets interesting - and where many restaurants fall short.
A truly halal restaurant means: - All meat is sourced from certified halal suppliers - No pork or pork products are used anywhere in the kitchen - No alcohol is used in cooking - There's no risk of cross-contamination with non-halal ingredients - The restaurant can provide halal certificates on request
The difference between "halal options" and "halal restaurant"
This is important. A restaurant that offers "halal options" typically has a mixed kitchen - halal and non-halal food prepared in the same space, often with shared equipment. Cross-contamination is possible.
A halal restaurant - like The Greedy Sheep - has a kitchen that is 100% halal. Nothing non-halal enters the premises. There's no risk of cross-contamination because there's nothing to contaminate with. For a worked example, see our guide to halal restaurants in Chinatown London and what to look for on the wall.
Why transparency matters
Trust is everything. If a restaurant says it's halal, you should be able to see the certificates. You should be able to ask about suppliers. You should feel confident, not anxious.
At The Greedy Sheep, our halal certificates are on the wall. They're on our website. Our suppliers are named. We're not defensive about it - we're proud of it. If you want to dig into the food itself, our overview of the best halal Chinese food in London explains why our menu reads the way it does. Got a specific question about ingredients or cooking method? Ask us directly.
Visit us
The Greedy Sheep, 8 Little Newport Street, Chinatown, London. 100% halal. 100% transparent. Open 12pm-10pm daily.
