Published Date : Jul 12, 2018 / Edited Date : Nov 08, 2019
[Outstanding IT Services for Seoul Tourism 2018]
YallaKOREA
Food and travel builds kinship among Muslims and Koreans,
who are unfamiliar with each other’s ways
YallaKOREA, a tour company supported by the Seoul Tourism Startup program, has become a pioneer in the Muslim tour sector. The company was quick to notice that many Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia with interest in popular culture such as K-pop and TV dramas were visiting Seoul, and medical tourism was drawing many Muslims from the Arab world to Korea. To ensure these tourists’ satisfaction while staying in Korea, YallaKOREA found that there was a need for more Muslim-friendly food options, which is always an important factor in travel. Thus YallaKOREA’s first goal was to narrow the distance between Koreans and Muslims through food, understanding that food is always the best way to break the ice.
What Makes YallaKOREA Special
“Halal Road,” leading to healthy and delicious Halal food
Halal food, simply put, refers to the food that Muslims may eat, and restaurants that serve such food are called Halal restaurants. In Korea, there are four types of Halal restaurants: official Halal-certified restaurants, self-certified Muslim restaurants, Muslim-friendly restaurants, and pork-free restaurants. YallaKOREA produces “Halal Road,” a mukbang (eating broadcast) series that introduces Halal food and restaurants in a fun and easy way, helpful both to Muslims visiting Korea and for anyone curious about the cuisine and culture. A Korean host and a Muslim guest living in Korea run the show, visiting Halal restaurants around Seoul to talk about the food they’re eating. So far, 20 episodes have been produced, proving to the world that there are many Halal restaurants in Seoul, contrary to the popular belief that there must only be a few in Itaewon. The episodes are available on YallaKOREA’s YouTube channel, which has garnered more than 100,000 subscribers.
Making friends through Muslim-friendly tours
It was “Halal Road” that made a name for YallaKOREA, but the company had long had their eyes on the overall tour business. Food may facilitate the connection between unfamiliar cultures, but more importantly, there was a need for a Muslim-friendly tour program so Muslims could enjoy traveling in Korea in comfort. YallaKOREA made it their priority to improve the general understanding of Muslim travelers’ needs and wants.
All Muslim-friendly tour programs operated by YallaKOREA incorporate Halal restaurants, prayer facilities, and prayer times into the itinerary. There are also customized programs such as family tours for those who wish to travel in smaller groups. And of course, all tours are led by guides fluent in Arabic. YallaKOREA’s Halal tours have four themes: The “Youth” package includes visits to dynamic spots like the Hongik University area and Yeouido; the “Activity” package consists mostly of exploring the Jamsil area; the “Traditional” package includes various traditional Korean experiences, such as trying kimchi, wearing hanbok, and visiting hanok; and the “Health” package provides skincare and beauty treatments.
* This article has been written based on information provided in May 2018
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보호자를 동반하지 않을 시 이용이 불가능 합니다.※ 보행약자 1명당 보호자 최소 1인 이상 동반 ※ 전동보장구(전동휠체어, 전동스쿠터 등) 사용자의 경우 보호자 1인당 보행약자 최대 4인까지 동반 가능
희망하시는 날짜 및 코스에 활동가능한 해설사가 없는 경우 예약은 취소될 수 있습니다.
예약확인을 위해 도보관광 사무국(02-6925-0777)에서 확인 연락이 진행됩니다.(최소 5일~한달 전)3회 이상 전화통화가 이뤄지지 않을 시 예약이 취소될 수 있습니다.
해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 도보관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
미세먼지 비상저감조치 발령 및 기타 기상악화(폭염, 태풍, 폭우 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다. (관광일 전날 기준)
Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
Additional reservations, one or two days before the tour starts, are only allowed for the tour that is already fixed.
In the case of group tour, more than 10people, please contact us by e-mail.
Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
Please refrain from participating in any tour programs should you be experiencing any symptoms, including fever, coughing, congestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and/or sore throat.
Reservations for tourists 14 years & under without an accompanying adult or guardian shall be canceled on site.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
The Seoul Guided Walking Tour administration office and tour guide affiliates are not responsible for any accidents that happen to occur during the tour program.
Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion) ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office (02-6925-0777) will contact you to confirm reservation. (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office and Seoul culture and tourism guide are not liable for the safety accidents during the Seoul Guided Walking Tour.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)