RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK The Halal Guys brings NY street food to Korea

The story of The Halal Guys starts on the streets of Manhattan in the 1990s, where it started as a food cart, serving hungry New Yorkers a delectable fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. What originally began as a small sidewalk business blossomed into an iconic international Halal brand, celebrated for its renowned platters of chicken and gyro over rice, adorned with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and the signature white and hot sauces.

The success of The Halal Guys exemplifies the power of New York street food to transcend cultural boundaries, creating a global phenomenon that now extends to Seoul. In 2016, The Halal Guys opened its first store In Itaewon, and later opened branches in Hongdae and Gangnam. The Halal Guys delights food enthusiasts with its flavorful offerings and iconic dishes that still pay homage to the rich traditions of New York street food.

The superstar on The Halal Guys menu is the Combo Platter, its signature chicken and gyro platter served with seasoned basmati rice, lettuce, tomatoes and its famous sauces. True to its street food roots, the platter is served in a traditional rice bowl, with succulent, marinated chicken alongside perfectly seasoned gyro meat. It is a feast for the senses, with the protein accented with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, spicy hot sauces and a cool house tzatziki sauce (the white sauce). The combination of flavors make it a go-to choice for both first-timers and regulars.

An enticing companion for any hunger, The Halal Guys' big four lineup of sandwiches includes the chicken, gyro, combo and falafel. The Falafel Sandwich is a vegetarian delight wrapped in homemade pita bread. The falafel is crispy and golden-brown on the outside and tender on the inside, and the falafel patties are accompanied by lettuce, tomatoes and The Halal Guys' signature hot and white sauces. The falafel sandwich is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to offering top-notch vegetarian food.

The Halal Guys stands out not only for its mouthwatering platters and sandwiches but also for authentically recreating the New York street food experience in Seoul. The legacy of The Halal Guys includes a dedication to quality ingredients and a commitment to halal practices. Whether savoring the iconic Chicken and Gyro Combo Platter or enjoying the delight of a Falafel Sandwich, a visit to The Halal Guys is always a memorable treat.

The Halal Guys are open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. You can skip the queue, pay online, and place pickup or delivery orders using the Shuttle app or shuttledelivery.co.kr in the greater Yongsan area.

Mark Boesch is co-founder and chief marketing officer of Shuttle Delivery.