9 NJ restaurants shifting the narrative on halal food

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Recently a friend of mine told me she wanted “halal food.” Since she wasn’t Muslim, I wondered what she meant. Why was she craving meat prepared in a religiously prescribed manner? When I inquired further, she responded, “You know, rice platters with meat.”

It’s a common misconception to think that halal food is a type of cuisine rather than a dietary restriction. Halal is a certification ensuring the ethical treatment of animals from birth to death, as prescribed by Islamic scripture. It’s how meat is sourced and prepared. With that understanding, any cuisine and restaurant can be halal. So why is the non-Muslim understanding of halal food still rice-and-meat platters?

For many non-Muslims, halal food equates to the street food popularized by the infamous Halal Guys food carts in New York City. Since then, restaurants advertising as halal tend to follow the success of meat-and-rice platters, further strengthening the stereotype. And while I’m appreciative of the cultural significance of halal food carts, New Jersey has a variety of exciting halal restaurants that are pushing the boundaries of culinary possibilities.

In New Jersey, ventures that focus on halal cart cuisine still generate buzz, but Muslim kids growing up with the vast influence of the internet or who identify as third-culture kids, yearn for halal restaurants to offer us something different; I’m still dreaming of halal ramen. 🍜

To be clear, not all Muslims limit themselves to halal meat. But for those who do, the restaurants on this list offer a way to satiate appetites for a variety of cuisines.

Here are the New Jersey halal establishments that are shifting the narrative on halal and creating something new.

1. Prime No. 7 ー Mahwah

Halal All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ! Yes, you heard that right, Korean BBQ! From cuts of beef, bibimbap, tofu stews, and Korean fried chicken, Prime No. 7 brings a taste of Korean cuisine to the Muslim community. The location offers tabletop grilling with reservations recommended. 

"If restaurants want to be successful, they need to appeal to the growing demographic of Muslims," Prime No. 7's Social Media Manager, Ahmad Jamhour, emphasized. "The restaurant's founder, David Kim, is aware of this, and that's why he created Prime." While not Muslim himself, David has close ties to the community that influenced his decision to offer halal.

Prime is split into two parts, with a section exclusively for customers who eat halal, including separate utensils and grills. Even the meat is prepared and stored in a separate area, taking every precaution possible to ensure the standard of halal. Additionally, Prime offers a prayer space for its Muslim clientele. The response from the Muslim community has been overwhelming, with items such as Korean fried chicken selling out daily.

115 Franklin Turnpike
Mahwah, NJ 07430
Primeno7.com

2. The Order ー South Orange

This family-owned brunch restaurant is a reinvention of the classic mom-and-pop shop. With roots in Goan culture, The Order was founded by the Pinto family, whose second generation has transformed it into the trendy cafe it is.
A seasonally conscious menu inspires guests to take pride in understanding different cultures and learning through the art of food. This is expressed through spice pairings, Goan cooking techniques, and the warmhearted service provided. While not all meat on their menu is halal, their chicken and lamb are. Don’t let that deter you from their robust offerings, including coffee, teas, and baked goods! You’ll also find Harry Potter-themed items sprinkled throughout the menu.

50W S Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
Theordernj.com

3. Iffy’s Hot Chicken & Wings ー Burlington

Recently opened, Iffy’s is led by Iftikhar Shah, who has over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. With a limited menu, they focus on ensuring the highest quality of fresh ingredients. Here you’ll find coleslaw, artisan brioche buns from a local bakery, and their star offering, Nashville-style hot chicken. “We opened to address a flavor gap in traditional hot chicken spots, and since our first day, we’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers,” Iffy shares, “Some have even declared our food as the best hot chicken they’ve ever had.” Riding on the success of hot chicken, Iffy intends to expand throughout New Jersey.

675 High Street
Burlington, NJ 08016
@iffyshotchicken

4. Chaska ー Kendall Park

Chaska is an eclectic spot that reinvents the classic American burger with Pakistani flair. “Being in the food business for a number of years, we learned that while our youth love new halal cuisines, the adults may still crave traditional Desi flavors,” shares restaurant spokesperson Nabeel Chaudhri. Chaska understands that people will travel for good food. Their blend of new and traditional menu items has created something distinct which attracts patrons of all ages. When visiting, make sure to check out their signature Wagyu Beef Burger and Loaded Fries.

3000 NJ-27
Kendall Park, NJ 08824
Realchaska.com

5. Abbu’s Kitchen ー Old Bridge

“Halal food is more than just chicken and rice,” says Ahmer Kazmi of Abbu’s Kitchen, “Sometimes you want a really good sandwich.” The co-owner of the brand new sandwich shop recalled growing up in New York and envying his non-Muslim friends eating a meatball parm or turkey sandwich. As he grew up, he wanted to bring that type of food to Muslim audiences.

Abbu’s Kitchen offers classic, hand-crafted sandwiches, such as pastrami, meatball parm, and roast beef. Everything is seasoned and made in-house. Beyond sandwiches, Amber, Ahmer’s sister who is also known as Phuppo (which means aunt in Urdu/Hindi), creates beautifully adorned chicken pot pies. These are buttery, flaky pockets of comfort. Even though the shop is small, a spirit of generosity imbues the food and customer service; you feel like a guest in their home.

Since opening, Abbu’s has received generous patronage by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the latter who visit for flavorful versions of their American favorites. Ahmer beams, “Abbu’s holds Western and Desi values together, and that’s given us something to connect with a wide range of customers.” The sandwich shop operates for takeout and delivery only, with hopes to expand to a larger dine-in location in the future.

18 Throckmorton Lane
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
@abbus_kitchen

6. Jinsoy ー New Brunswick

Located near the Rutgers New Brunswick campus, Jinsoy is an Asian fusion restaurant that blends Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Himalayan cuisines in an upscale dining space. Jinsoy’s owner, Khizer Ali Syed, also runs the Chai Chenak Restaurant a few doors away. Offering a large menu, including vegetarian dishes, mocktails, and desserts, this eatery is sure to satisfy American-Chinese food cravings. Their proximity to the university adds to their success, as Rutgers has a large Muslim student population. The restaurant can additionally be booked as an event space.

335 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
@jinsoynj

drink.khyber

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7. Khyber Coffee & Tea House ー New Brunswick

The Khyber Pass is an ancient trade route between Afghanistan and Pakistan, enabling tea, spices, and cultural exchange between the countries. It serves as the namesake for Khyber Coffee and Tea House, founded by four childhood friends. 

A common Desi custom is to have chai after dinner. "We wanted to create a space to gather, not just in the morning, but also late at night," co-owners Walid Tahir and Haarris Haque, explained, "Khyber was made with the South Asian community in mind.” Everything on the menu is homemade and focuses on traditional chai time accompaniments such as sweet and savory pastries.

Coffee and chai take center stage against the cafe’s cozy decor of European and South Asian design elements. Definitely take a closer look at their gallery wall; each piece tells a different story. "Our cafe's aesthetic aims to be comforting, mimicking having tea at your grandmother's house." With warm lighting, intentional furnishing, and a lively staff, Khyber is a happening place.

On my visit, I observed families and students filling the tables of the cafe. A blend of different generations isn’t as common a sight at your typical coffee shop, which makes Khyber a vital member of the local food scene.
When stopping by, make sure to check out their Iced Chai, Rasmalai Tres Leches with Pistachio Drizzle, and Cake Rusk.

110 Church Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
drinkkhyber.com

8. Suma’s Kitchen ー Voorhees

Inspired by her family’s travels, Sumaiyya Asim opened her first restaurant to be a haven for foodies. While they serve classic Indo-Pak comfort food, Suma’s is expanding their reach to include Mexican cuisine, specifically birria tacos, and American-Chinese food. “Members from our community mentioned that they travel more than 2 hours to get halal birria tacos,” Sumaiyya shared. “With that in mind, the main goal of Suma’s is to provide South Jersey with a variety of halal foods.” Currently in a transition period, Suma’s will be launching their Mexican and American-Chinese offerings early next year.

1227 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd, STE 7
Voorhees Township, NJ 08043
sumas.kitchen

haloodie

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9. Khokha ー Piscataway

Taking inspiration from the Urdu word for kiosk, Khoka is modernizing the term for Pakistani-American audiences. Inside the restaurant, they’ve paid homage to their name and Pakistani heritage by creating a wooden kiosk surrounded by greenery. If you take a seat at the bar, the sights and scents of chai-making fill the senses.

Khoka’s menu includes burgers, paratha rolls, lamb chops, and grilled cheese sandwiches with a Desi twist. Whether you’re trying the Anda Shami Burger, made with a chicken-and-split-pea patty or parathas stuffed with pulled beef, you’ll find nostalgic flavors in a modern presentation. They also offer vegetarian alternatives. Check out their gulab jamun cake and speciality kulfi milkshake. Please note, their cakes tend to sell out each day, so ordering them ahead is recommended.

1358 Centennial Ave
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Khokhaeats.com

It’s unclear why more eateries don’t expand their ingredients to include halal meat. By doing so, they would grow their customer-base to include Muslim consumers. Yet, after exploring these places, I’m understanding that the shift for change has to come from the Muslim community. This could look like having conversations with non-Muslim restaurateurs to cater to a Muslim clientele or cooking up one’s own space from scratch.

Good food has always been a medium of connection and care for the South Asian community. We all have memories of our cultural foods, but seeing their stories become part of the local business fabric is validating. The establishments covered in this article are a sampling of a growing trend of fusion and wholly novel places opening up across the state. Businesses like Kanoon, The Olive Bistro, and Bite Food & Coffee Co, are part of a rising wave of restaurants creating space for New Jersey’s diverse communities. These are young businesses with a common thread: the desire to create centers where the community connects through food and ancestral heritages harmonize with American identity.

After speaking with the inspiring chefs, restaurateurs, and people behind these culinary ventures, I can’t help feeling a sense of hope for the future of the food scene in New Jersey. And, who knows, maybe that halal ramen shop is just on the horizon?

Ifrah Akhtar is a reporting fellow for Central Desi.

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