Halal Food in Bangkok: What a Pakistani Found at ICONSIAM, on the Street and in the Malls
Finding halal food was the hardest part of Bangkok. Here's what worked: the Sooksiam food hall at ICONSIAM, halal octopus, checking street snacks, and the mistakes we made.
By Hafiz Tayyab · 19 October 2026 · 1 min read
ICONSIAM
Sooksiam indoor market by the Chao Phraya River.
A whole roasted crocodile
Not halal, but impossible to miss.
Halal octopus
First time, and better than expected.
If you're Muslim and visiting Bangkok, food is the first thing you'll think about. On our first day, finding halal food became the whole adventure.
Day one: getting to ICONSIAM
We took a local public bus and then crossed the Chao Phraya River to reach ICONSIAM, one of Bangkok's biggest malls. Inside is Sooksiam, an indoor market built like a Thai street.
Among giant displays of street food, including a whole roasted crocodile, we hunted for stalls with a halal certificate. We found halal snacks, fresh tropical fruit and, eventually, a Pad Thai with real octopus. It was my first octopus, and it was good.
What we learned
- Look for the halal logo. Thailand has an official halal mark. Certified stalls show it clearly.
- Malls are easier than streets. Food courts label stalls; street carts usually don't.
- Ask about the oil and the meat. Even "veg" dishes may be cooked with pork or lard.
- Corn, burgers and coffee: we checked them one by one. Some were fine, many weren't.
The shorts from the hunt
The search turned into a whole series of shorts:
- "Finally found halal food in Bangkok", the relief after days of searching.
- "This food looks amazing, but…": great-looking food we couldn't eat.
- "Is Thailand's famous butter corn halal?"
- "Trying halal octopus for the first time"
- "Don't order Thai coffee without this tip"
They're all linked below.
Malaysia was easier
When we crossed into Malaysia, halal food was everywhere. If food worries you, it's a good reason to pair Thailand with Malaysia, like we did on the Thailand and Malaysia trip.
Quick tips
- Save halal places on your map before you go out.
- Carry snacks from home for travel days.
- Eat big at the malls and keep street food for fruit and drinks.
- When unsure, skip it.
More from Bangkok: temples, the Grand Palace and Wat Arun.
Watch the episodes
Finally Found Halal Food in Bangkok! 🇹🇭 #HalalFood #Bangkok #shorts
9 Aug 2025
This food looks amazing BUT... 🤔 #HalalFood #Thailand #shorts
23 Aug 2025
Bangkok Mein Halal Khana Mila? 🍗🥺 #Shorts #HalalFood
16 Feb 2026
Trying HALAL Octopus For The First Time! 🐙 #Thailand #shorts
27 Aug 2025
Is Thailand's Famous Butter Corn Halal? 🌽🤔 #HalalFood #shorts
26 Aug 2025
Don't order Thai coffee without this tip! ☕️ #Thailand #Foodie #shorts
23 Aug 2025Questions people ask
Is it hard to find halal food in Bangkok?
For Hafiz Tayyab it was the hardest part of the trip. Big malls like ICONSIAM made it easier because halal-certified stalls are labelled.
Where is a good place to start for halal food in Bangkok?
The Sooksiam food hall inside ICONSIAM, next to the Chao Phraya River.
Is Thai street corn halal?
Not always. Check for a halal logo or ask, because butter and toppings vary.
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