Dietary requirements and food allergies in China

If the restriction is medically serious

Do not rely only on a translation app, verbal explanation or assumptions about a dish name.

Prepare a clear Chinese allergy card before travel.

Allergy wording

我对___严重过敏。

Wǒ duì ___ yánzhòng guòmǐn.

"I have a severe allergy to ___."

Add:

不能吃，也不能接触。

"I cannot eat it or come into contact with it."

Common allergens

Cross-contact can be difficult to control

Small kitchens may use shared woks, oil, utensils and sauces.

For severe allergies, choose restaurants where staff can clearly understand the risk.

Vegetarian food

Useful term:

素食 — Sùshí — Vegetarian food

But a vegetable dish may still contain meat stock, lard, oyster sauce or minced meat.

Religious requirements

For halal food, look for:

清真 — Qīngzhēn — Halal

The key rule

For a preference, translation is usually enough.

For a serious allergy:

prepare written Chinese in advance and carry appropriate medication.