When dimsum manufacturer SMH Foods Enterprise approached hotels with its halal version of siew mai - a Cantonese delicacy usually made with pork - chefs were not keen to serve it in their restaurants. But SMH, which was confident that its chicken version tasted just like the original, found a way to convince the cooks - by offering them samples to try without disclosing the ingredients. It turned out the chefs could not tell the...

The Maarof Mosque in Jurong West was a hive of activity yesterday evening as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli joined 700 people for iftar, or the breaking of fast. Together with residents in the area, and religious, community and grassroots leaders, they feasted on a spread of rice and traditional Malay dishes such as sambal goreng as well as assorted kueh. Before the meal, PM Lee was...

HALAL IZAKAYAS? Wine-free modern European food? Muslim dining options have taken on a distinctly progressive vibe as more eateries emerge to offer high-end alternatives to halal fast food and traditional cuisine. Backyard Kitchen opened in Jalan Kayu with some glitter, thanks to its chef-owner Haikal Johari, who also heads the kitchen at the one-Michelin-starred restaurant Alma by Juan Amador. "I think the Muslim community has always wanted to...