You have a food allergy and need to communicate it clearly
A simple phrase may not be enough for a serious allergy. Show the phrase, point at the ingredient, and confirm.
Allergies are taken seriously — communicate them clearly.
What you'll see
If you have a real food allergy, a single translated sentence can get lost in translation:
Why it happens
Waiters may nod without fully grasping the risk. Confirming against the specific dish is what keeps you safe.
This case's complete fix is free above. The other 61 cases, the decision tree, and the offline kit are $9.99.
The full fix sequence (free)
- Write your allergen in Chinese before you fly — 花生 peanuts, 坚果 nuts, 乳制品 dairy, 麸质 gluten, 贝类 shellfish, 蛋 egg, 芝麻 sesame. Screenshot one, print another.
- On arrival, say 我对花生过敏，吃了会严重反应 — then point at the dish and ask 这道菜里有花生吗？
- Ask whether it is in the dish, not whether they can leave it out. 少放 and 完全不含有 are two different actions in a kitchen.
- For hotpot, barbecue or buffet, assume shared oil, shared tongs and shared broth. Ask for a separate plain-pot 单独清汤锅 or pick another restaurant.
- Get the request onto the order slip, not just into the conversation. What is said at the table does not always reach the kitchen.
- For a severe allergy, carry your adrenaline pen and a translated medical card, and note the nearest hospital before you order — see the doctor and emergency guides.
When phrases alone aren't enough
In the kitIf you have more than one allergen, or a restriction like no pork or no gluten, the kit puts them on one card you can hand over.
1. The lookup table
Every allergen and dietary restriction on one printable card, in the Chinese a kitchen reads.
2. The trigger matrix
Which situation needs which phrase, so you show the right one first.
3. Offline printable version
The whole phrase kit as a printable card for low-signal moments.
The notice is on the wall. The parcel still has your name on it.
Ask it once, get one answer — not four things to read.
Voice first, screen second — the screen is what actually lands.
If nothing works
If you are not confident the message got through:
- Order plain dishes with no sauce and confirm each ingredient.
- Carry an EpiPen and a translated medical card at all times.
- Eat at a chain or hotel where staff are used to allergy requests.
Four levels deep — being understood never rests on one try.
Pointing at the screen is understood everywhere.
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Most travellers know about three of these before they fly. This one is often not one of them.