Seattle has many foodie groups on social media, but I have a soft spot for Seattle Halal Foodies, started by Mehrab Shahriar in 2019. When Shahriar moved to Seattle nine years ago, the halal food scene was small compared to other U.S. cities. Perhaps because of its underdog nature, I found this group to be especially endearing. Its solid recommendations and many contributions from small business owners show a lot of enthusiasm, curiosity, and support. More than other groups, I see immense pride and appreciation for all the restaurants that offer halal options.

Restaurants following halal guidelines must ensure that their menus are free of forbidden substances like pork and alcohol and that their facilities are kept clear of those items to avoid cross-contamination. They must also source halal proteins, a task that grows prohibitively more expensive as food costs continue to rise. These guidelines often made it difficult for non-halal restaurants to provide halal offerings, but with his strong desire to bolster the local halal food scene, Shahriar continues to work with restaurants seeking to expand their menus. 

He has seen a drastic change in Seattle’s halal food scene in the last year and a half. What began as mostly gyros and Indian food now includes halal Mexican, Chinese, and even South American options. But this hasn’t always been the case. Seattle’s halal options have long been few and far between, he notes. It’s not uncommon for someone from Everett to drive to Kent or Federal Way for halal food. 

This year, in partnership with local halal restaurants, Shahriar launched Seattle’s first Halal Restaurant Month, which began in mid-October and runs through November 14. During Halal Restaurant Month—and similar to Seattle Restaurant Week—diners can enjoy three or more courses at participating restaurants for a discounted set price. This month, I’m turning the column over to Shahriar to recommend five halal dishes to try. 

Photo by Mahreb Shahriar

Big plate chicken at Wild Cumin

Wild Cumin is among the many great food options nestled in the Great Wall Shopping Mall in Kent, highlighting Uygur cuisine from the Xinjiang province in northwestern China. It’s also the first Uygur restaurant in the Pacific Northwest. As its name implies, the menu of skewers and grilled meats offers wild flavors of smoke and spice. All meats at Wild Cumin, which specializes in lamb, are halal. But halal is more than just lamb. The big plate chicken here is a showstopper: heavily spiced stir-fried chicken over wide, hand-pulled noodles, served in a characteristically large platter. Big plate chicken originated in Xinjiang and is now wildly popular throughout China. Here in Seattle, it’s worth the drive to Kent.

Emerald lamb curry at Thai Rhapsody

You don’t often find halal Thai food, but Thai Rhapsody in Mill Creek has an entire halal menu with assorted curries, unique seafood dishes, and its classic offerings prepared on a separate grill and wok reserved exclusively for their halal items. “Our goal has always been to make authentic Thai cuisine inclusive and accessible while maintaining the harmony of flavors that define Thai cooking,” says owner Thisun Polasub. 

Lamb curry isn’t a traditional dish, but the emerald lamb curry—pairing braised lamb and lamb racks with a vibrant, herbaceous green curry—quickly became a customer favorite. Fresh basil and roasted chilis bring sweetness, earthiness, and depth. 

Photo by Mahreb Shahriar

Lamb quzi at Byblos Market

Byblos Market is an Iraqi grocery and deli full of energy and activity. From the large oven churning out fresh breads to chickens spinning on rotisserie and kebabs grilling over charcoal, there is a flurry of activity around food. Lamb quzi, braised lamb shoulder on rice with okra, is a signature Iraqi dish and one of Byblos Market’s most popular offerings, often selling out before midday. While most families go to Byblos Market for its deli and hot food, there’s also a restaurant side where you can sit and enjoy a meal. The quzi is a family platter and the servings are plentiful, but save room for dessert or take a box home. The variety of sweets is impressive, and indecision is imminent. 

Bacon cheddar burger at Local Bigger Burger

I was not expecting to see the bacon cheddar burger listed as a favorite at Local Bigger Burger, with its self-proclaimed mantra “Seattle’s Best Zabiha Halal Fast Food.” Beef bacon, that is—plus Pacific Northwest Angus beef, melted Tillamook cheddar, and garlic aioli between a brioche bun. Local Bigger Burger touts the benefits of hand-slaughtered halal meat; animals treated humanely, slaughtered with a swift cut, and individually inspected to ensure cleanliness, quality, and adherence to the Muslim faith. It may be a burgers-and-fries-with-a-shake kind of place, but it brings an unexpected reverence and care to fast food.

Ribeye steak at Maza Grill

For the last 14 years, Maza Grill, a halal Pakistani steakhouse in Kent, has been in our backyard. Alongside its steaks, Maza Grill offers Pakistani specialties like creamy, nutty almond murgh tikka masala and mutton kebabs masala. But when you hear about its grass-fed, dry-aged Angus steaks from New Zealand, you sign up for the full steakhouse experience, made richer with unconventional sides like potato samosas, basmati rice with cranberries, and garlic naan—and gulab jamun for dessert. The menu also includes burgers we haven’t touched on. There’s something for everyone. 

Tiffany Ran is a writer and the chef behind Babalio Taiwanese Pop-Up, a Taiwanese food pop-up, and the food editor of TaiwaneseAmerica.org. Much of her food exploration includes jumping between catering, restaurants, and the pop-up world. Her writing has been featured in Vice Munchies, Lucky Peach, Goldthread, JoySauce, Northwest Asian Weekly, and more.