Hui cuisine is the food of the Hui, a Muslim community in China. The Hui follow Islamic dietary laws and avoid pork, which has led to their own variant of Chinese cuisine[1]. They numbered about 11.38 million in the 2020 census[2].
Where you meet it on a trip
You meet it in the Muslim quarters and near the mosques of cities such as Xi’an and Beijing. Hui-style noodles are common: Lanzhou beef noodles are closely tied to Hui cuisine, and the modern form is often credited to a Hui man selling it from 1915[3]. Our entry on lamian explains the noodle names.
A practical tip
Do not treat “Hui” as a certificate. A Hui-run kitchen is a good sign, but you should still ask what is in the soup and what the stove is used for.
Chinese halal labels also need care. In February 2025 JAKIM removed the China Islamic Association from its list of recognised foreign halal certification bodies, so Chinese labels cannot be assumed to meet Malaysian recognition[4]. Check halal.gov.my for the latest status.
A simple routine works well: look for the green 清真 sign, ask about the meat and the kitchen, and decide at the table. Our guides on finding halal food in China and what qingzhen means go step by step.
Related terms
- Lamian, hand-pulled noodles often linked to Hui cooks.
- Qingzhen and halal checking, what the sign does and does not tell you.