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In Arabic, the word “halal” means lawful or permitted. When it comes to food, it pertains to something that is permissible as prescribed in Islamic laws and in the Qur'an.

“Pagdating sa usapin ng halal, ito ang mga bagay na kung saan ay pinahintulutan ng nag-iisang Diyos na si Allah, na kinikilalang panginoon ng mga Muslim, liban sa mga pinagbawal Niya tulad ng baboy, dugo, at mga patay na hayop,” Khalid Gorospe, Islamic propagator of Aliments Makkhan restaurant in Davao, told Biyahe ni Drew in an August 2019 episode.

“Regarding sa pagpili ng hayop especially dun sa mga pinahintulutan like baka, kambing, mainam na ang kakatayin ng isang Muslim o ng isang nagii-slaughter nito ay 'yong malusog na hayop.

“Sapagkat ipinagbabawal din sa amin na katayin ang buntis at may sakit na hayop.”

He continued, “Kung papasok ako sa restaurant, originally lahat naman ng bagay na 'to ay halal.

“Liban sa, for example, nahaluan direkta at nakita ng iyong mata, ito ay nahaluan ng ipinagbabawal na sangkap.”

During the visit, Drew got to try various Muslim and Mindanao dishes offered by the restaurant.

The specialties that Drew sampled were tiyula itum (braised beef or goat soup), chicken piaparan, beef sinana, Moro biryani, and pastil (rice and chicken flakes wrapped in banana leaf).

Meanwhile, if you're living in Metro Manila and craving for authentic Maranao food, the Junairah Halal Restaurant, along Globo de Oro Street in Quiapo Muslim Town, is a must-visit.

The eatery serves halal Maranao specialties for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

You can also sign up to the Quiapo Muslim Town in a Box virtual tour to know more about Islamic traditions and the Muslim community in the busy district of Quiapo, Manila.

The tour includes a food box containing Maranao dishes cooked and prepared by the eateries around the area or the tour organizers themselves.

“Some of the food in the box are bought in Quiapo, while some are cooked in our own kitchen because we want to serve the food hot when it is sent to the participants, but the bulk of the ingredients and items are from Quiapo,” Ann Marie Cunanan, founder of Meaningful Travels PH, told GMA Lifestyle back in May.

You can also check online, including food delivery apps, to see if there are restaurants near your area offering halal dishes.