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How to explain vegetarian needs and food allergies

Name the exact excluded ingredient and whether traces or shared cooking equipment are unsafe. Broad labels such as vegetarian do not reliably describe broth, fish sauce, eggs, or cross-contact.

5 mintravelers with dietary restrictions or food allergies
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Browse food names and ingredients
Traveler showing a translated allergy message on a phone to Korean restaurant staff
AI guide imageShow the exact ingredients to avoid before ordering and ask whether the same oil, stock, or utensils are used.
GoSeeKorea · OpenAI image generation · AI-generated guide image ↗

Steps

  1. 01
    Traveler showing a translated allergy message on a phone while restaurant staff takes notes
    AI guide imageShow the Korean ingredient list before ordering.
  2. 02

    Ask whether the ingredient appears in broth, sauce, seasoning, or garnish.

  3. 03

    For an allergy, ask about shared oil, grill, knife, and utensils.

  4. 04

    Repeat the exact dish and restriction when ordering.

  5. 05

    Do not eat if staff cannot confirm safety.

  6. 06

    For severe symptoms, use prescribed emergency treatment and call 119.

Before you start

  • Write each unsafe ingredient in Korean.
  • Separate preference, intolerance, and medical allergy.
  • Carry prescribed emergency medicine as directed by a clinician.

Select ingredients to avoid

For food-allergy communication. This is not a complete ingredient list or a safety guarantee. Explain unlisted allergens separately to staff.

Easy points to confuse

  • For packaged food, check ingredients, allergen labels and possible cross-contact too. A specialist restaurant is not a safety guarantee. Ask separately about ingredients, stock, sauces and shared utensils; if staff cannot confirm, choose not to eat the item.

Checked: 2026-09-12

Easy points to confuse

  • Relying only on the word vegetarian
  • Assuming visible ingredient removal prevents cross-contact
  • Trying a small bite to test a serious allergy

Practical example

Example: for a shrimp allergy, do not say only ‘no seafood.’ Show ‘shrimp makes me ill; shrimp must not be in broth or sauce.’ Choose another dish if staff cannot confirm. Stop eating and call 119 for a severe reaction.

Sources and review date · 2

Checked 2026-08-17 · Review by 2026-08-24

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