Finding halal food in Beijing isn’t hard — if you know where to look. The city has a rich Muslim culinary heritage, and several restaurant chains offer certified halal dining across multiple locations.

Here are 5 reliable halal chains. The first three serve Northwest Chinese cuisine (Gansu, Xinjiang, Ningxia). The last two are classic Old Beijing spots.

1. Western Mahua (西部马华)

The brand: Western Mahua was founded in 1988 and is one of China’s largest halal restaurant chains, operating over 50 locations across China plus branches in Singapore . They run four concepts under one brand: beef noodle shops, mid-range family dining, and Xinjiang-style spicy chicken .

What to order:

• Hand-pulled beef noodles (拉面) – their signature
• Lamb skewers (羊肉串) – charcoal-grilled
• Big plate chicken (大盘鸡) – Xinjiang classic
• Liang pi (凉皮) – cold skin noodles

Price: ¥23-80 per person 

2. Silk Road Legend (丝路传奇)

The brand: Silk Road Legend brings the flavors of the ancient Silk Road to Beijing. It’s known for its Northwest Chinese and Xinjiang cuisine.

What to order:

• Dry-fried hand-pulled noodles with beef and chili (干煸炒面)
• Milk-egg fermented sweet rice (牛奶鸡蛋醪糟) – warm, sweet, comforting

Price: ~¥45 per person 

3. Yanlanlou (燕兰楼)

The brand: Yanlanlou was founded in 2007 in Beijing and specializes in Gansu and Xinjiang cuisine. It was named one of Beijing’s Top 10 Halal Brands in 2015 and has been recognized as a “China Famous Restaurant” (中华餐饮名店) .

What to order:

• Hand-grabbed lamb (手抓羊肉) – their signature
• Lanzhou beef noodles (兰州牛肉拉面) – authentic
• Sweet fermented rice drink (甜醅子) – Gansu dessert
• Roasted lamb chops (烤羊排)

Price: ¥79-107 per person 

4. Ziguangyuan (紫光园)

The brand: Ziguangyuan is a century-old Beijing brand, founded in 1912 by the Ai family.

What to order:

• Vinegar-sautéed wood ear (醋溜木须) – their #1 dish, 60%+ egg
• Fried dough nuggets (炒疙瘩) – their 100-year-old specialty
• Peking duck – available as a single set meal

Price: ¥72-74 per person 

5. Donglaishun (东来顺)

The brand: Donglaishun was founded in 1903 by Ding Deshan, a Hui Muslim. It’s one of China’s most famous halal brands — a century-old “China Time-Honored Brand” (中华老字号) .

What to order:

• Hand-cut fresh lamb (手切鲜羊肉)
• Sesame paste dipping sauce (麻酱)
• Sesame pancake (芝麻烧饼)

Price: ~¥100 per person 

FAQ:

1️⃣ Which halal chain in Beijing has the most locations?

Western Mahua has over 50 locations across Beijing and other cities. You’ll find one in almost every major neighborhood.

2️⃣ Do these halal restaurants in Beijing have English menus?

Some do. Donglaishun and Western Mahua locations in tourist areas often have English menus. For others, use a translation app or point at pictures.

3️⃣ What’s the difference between Northwest and Old Beijing halal?

Northwest halal (Western Mahua, Silk Road Legend, Yanlanlou) features lamb skewers, hand-pulled noodles, and Xinjiang/Gansu spices. Old Beijing halal (Ziguangyuan, Donglaishun) features copper pot hotpot, Peking duck, and traditional Beijing sauces like sesame paste.

4️⃣ Can I pay with a foreign credit card at these halal chains in Beijing?

Most prefer Alipay or WeChat Pay — link your foreign card before you go. Cash also works everywhere. Credit cards are rarely accepted directly.

5️⃣ How do I know if a restaurant or food stall is halal in Beijing if I’m not going to the halal food street Niujie?

Look for the official green and white “清真” (qīngzhēn) sign displayed on the storefront or door — this indicates the restaurant has passed Beijing’s official halal certification.

If you want to explore Beijing’s food scene without the guesswork, we offer a street food tour for foodies who want to taste real Chinese flavors — curated by people who live here, eat here, and love sharing what they’ve unlocked.

We can also arrange halal options upon request. 😊

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