Food Allergies in Korea for Travelers: Korean Phrases & Safety Guide
Travel Korean · Food Safety
Food Allergies in Korea: Phrases & Safe Dining Tips
Prepare before your trip, explain allergens clearly, ask about ingredients and shared equipment, read Korean labels, and know how to call for emergency help.
Important Medical Notice
This language guide is not medical advice and cannot make any restaurant or food safe for you. Before traveling, create an individualized plan with your clinician. Follow that plan and the instructions for your prescribed medication. If you suspect anaphylaxis in Korea, use prescribed epinephrine as directed and call 119 for an ambulance.
Quick Safety Answer
Tell staff about the allergy before ordering, name the exact allergen in Korean and English, explain whether cross-contact is dangerous, and ask about sauces, broths, marinades, shared grills, utensils, and frying oil. Show a written card and confirm the staff understands it. If they cannot answer clearly or cannot prepare the meal within your safety requirements, do not order it.
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Before Traveling to Korea with Food Allergies
- Meet your clinician: Review your emergency plan, prescriptions, medication quantities, storage requirements, and when to use each medicine.
- Keep medication accessible: Carry prescribed emergency medication with you rather than in checked baggage or a place you cannot reach quickly.
- Bring documentation: Carry a medical summary, written prescription, and clinician letter using generic medication names. Confirm airline and Korean entry requirements before departure.
- Teach your companion: Make sure they know your allergens, symptoms, emergency plan, medication location, and how to contact 119.
- Research meals: Contact restaurants outside peak hours when possible and identify backup meals or stores near your accommodation.
- Save your location: Keep your hotel address in Korean and be ready to share your live location or a nearby landmark with emergency services.
Read “Allergy” in Korean
알레르기 — Allergy
Romanization: al-le-reu-gi
Core sentence: 저는 [재료]에 심한 알레르기가 있어요.
I have a severe allergy to [ingredient].
al · ㅇ+ㅏ+ㄹ
le · ㄹ+ㅔ
reu · ㄹ+ㅡ
gi · ㄱ+ㅣ
있어요 — There Is / I Have
Romanization: i-sseo-yo
Pronunciation: [이써요]
it · ㅇ+ㅣ+ㅆ
eo · ㅇ+ㅓ
yo · ㅇ+ㅛ
Common Food-Allergen Vocabulary in Korean
Use the most specific word possible. “Seafood” is too broad when only certain species trigger your allergy, and “gluten” and “wheat allergy” are not interchangeable medical conditions.
| English | Korean | Romanization | Possible Sources to Ask About |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peanut | 땅콩 | ttang-kong | Sauces, desserts, garnishes, bakery items |
| Tree nuts | 견과류 | gyeon-gwa-ryu | Porridge, tea, desserts, bakery items |
| Milk / dairy | 우유 / 유제품 | u-yu / yu-je-pum | Drinks, bread, sauces, cheese, processed foods |
| Egg | 달걀 / 계란 | dal-gyal / gye-ran | Batter, noodles, bread, toppings, sauces |
| Wheat / wheat flour | 밀 / 밀가루 | mil / mil-ga-ru | Noodles, soy sauce, gochujang, batter, dumpling wrappers |
| Soybean | 대두 / 콩 | dae-du / kong | Soy sauce, tofu, pastes, marinades, broth |
| Sesame / sesame oil | 참깨 / 참기름 | cham-kkae / cham-gi-reum | Garnishes, marinades, side dishes, rice dishes |
| Shrimp | 새우 | sae-u | Salted shrimp, kimchi seasoning, broth, sauces |
| Crab | 게 | ge | Broth, sauces, seafood dishes |
| Fish | 생선 / 어류 | saeng-seon / eo-ryu | Anchovy broth, fish cake, sauces, kimchi seasoning |
Essential Korean Food-Allergy Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 땅콩에 심한 알레르기가 있어요. | Jeo-neun ttang-kong-e sim-han al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo. | I have a severe peanut allergy. |
| 이 음식에 새우가 들어가나요? | I eum-sik-e sae-u-ga deu-reo-ga-na-yo? | Does this food contain shrimp? |
| 육수에 멸치나 해산물이 들어가나요? | Yuk-su-e myeol-chi-na hae-san-mu-ri deu-reo-ga-na-yo? | Does the broth contain anchovy or seafood? |
| 같은 조리 도구나 기름을 사용하나요? | Ga-teun jo-ri do-gu-na gi-reu-meul sa-yong-ha-na-yo? | Do you use the same utensils or oil? |
| 성분표를 보여 주세요. | Seong-bun-pyo-reul bo-yeo ju-se-yo. | Please show me the ingredient label. |
| 이 재료 없이 안전하게 조리할 수 있나요? | I jae-ryo eop-si an-jeon-ha-ge jo-ri-hal su in-na-yo? | Can you prepare it safely without this ingredient? |
| 먹으면 생명이 위험할 수 있어요. | Meo-geu-myeon saeng-myeong-i wi-heom-hal su i-sseo-yo. | Eating it could be life-threatening. |
| 안전하게 조리하기 어려우면 알려 주세요. | An-jeon-ha-ge jo-ri-ha-gi eo-ryeo-u-myeon al-lyeo ju-se-yo. | Please tell me if safe preparation is difficult. |
Customizable Korean Restaurant Allergy Card
Replace every bracketed field and have the finished card checked by a fluent Korean speaker who understands your exact allergy requirements. Include both Korean and English ingredient names.
심한 식품 알레르기가 있습니다
저는 [알레르기 유발 식품]에 심한 알레르기가 있습니다.
I have a severe allergy to [ALLERGEN].
이 재료를 먹으면 생명이 위험할 수 있습니다.
Eating this ingredient could be life-threatening.
[알레르기 유발 식품]이나 이것으로 만든 재료가 음식, 소스, 육수, 양념에 들어가면 안 됩니다.
The allergen and ingredients made from it must not be in the food, sauce, broth, or seasoning.
같은 칼, 도마, 조리 도구, 불판, 팬 또는 튀김기름을 사용하면 위험할 수 있습니다.
Shared knives, cutting boards, utensils, grills, pans, or frying oil may be dangerous.
안전하게 조리할 수 없으면 주문 전에 알려 주세요. 감사합니다.
Please tell me before I order if you cannot prepare it safely. Thank you.
A Safer Restaurant Conversation
- Speak before seating or ordering: Ask for a manager or experienced staff member when possible.
- Name the exact allergen: Show the package, translated card, or Korean spelling rather than relying only on “seafood,” “nuts,” or “gluten.”
- Ask how food is prepared: Check broth, sauce, marinade, garnish, batter, shared utensils, grills, pans, and oil.
- Confirm the answer: Ask staff to repeat which dish and ingredients they checked.
- Leave if uncertain: A polite refusal is safer than relying on a guess, incomplete answer, or visual inspection.
Dialogue: Checking Broth and Cross-Contact
Traveler: 저는 새우와 조개류에 심한 알레르기가 있어요.
I have severe allergies to shrimp and shellfish.
Staff: 네. 어떤 메뉴를 보셨어요?
Okay. Which menu item are you considering?
Traveler: 이 찌개요. 육수나 양념에 들어가나요? 같은 조리 도구도 사용하나요?
This stew. Are they in the broth or seasoning? Do you also use the same utensils?
Staff: 육수에 새우가 들어가서 이 메뉴는 어렵습니다.
The broth contains shrimp, so this dish is not suitable.
Reading Packaged-Food Allergen Labels
The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety identifies designated foods for allergen labeling, including egg, milk, buckwheat, peanut, soybean, wheat, mackerel, crab, shrimp, pork, peach, tomato, qualifying sulfurous acid, walnut, chicken, beef, squid, clams—including oyster, abalone, and mussels—and pine nut.
| Label Wording | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 원재료명 | Ingredients | Read the complete list, including compound ingredients. |
| 알레르기 유발물질 | Allergy-causing substances | Check the declaration against your personal allergen list. |
| 함유 | Contains | Do not consume if it names your allergen. |
| 같은 제조시설 | Same manufacturing facility | Evaluate precautionary wording using your clinician's plan. |
Labeling requirements do not cover every possible personal allergen, and a packaged-food label does not answer restaurant cross-contact questions. When uncertain, contact the manufacturer or choose another product.
Allergic Emergency in Korea
- Follow your individualized emergency plan immediately.
- Use prescribed epinephrine as instructed if anaphylaxis is suspected. Do not delay while waiting to see whether severe symptoms improve.
- Call 119 for medical emergency and ambulance response. Say “English please” or “Interpreter please” if needed.
- Give your exact location using a Korean address, nearby landmark, or smartphone location.
- Do not remain alone. Tell responders what was eaten, when symptoms started, what medication was used, and whether symptoms are changing.
Emergency Korean
아나필락시스예요. 119 불러 주세요.
It is anaphylaxis. Please call 119.
심한 알레르기 반응이에요.
It is a severe allergic reaction.
숨쉬기 힘들어요.
It is difficult to breathe.
에피네프린 자동 주사기가 있어요.
I have an epinephrine auto-injector.
1330 is the Korea Travel Helpline for general travel assistance. It is not a replacement for calling 119 during a medical emergency.
Safety Practice
Select each question to reveal the answer.
1. How do you say “I have a severe peanut allergy”?
Answer: 저는 땅콩에 심한 알레르기가 있어요.
2. Why is “Please leave out the egg” sometimes insufficient?
Answer: The dish may already contain egg in a sauce, batter, or processed ingredient, and shared equipment may create cross-contact.
3. Which number should you call for an ambulance in Korea?
Answer: 119.
4. How do you ask whether the same oil is used?
Answer: 같은 기름을 사용하나요?
5. What should you do if staff cannot confirm safe preparation?
Answer: Do not order the food. Choose another item only if it can be fully assessed, or leave and use your backup plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are allergens labeled on packaged foods in Korea?
Korean rules designate specific foods for allergen labeling. Read the entire label because the official list may not include every substance relevant to you.
Is Korean soy sauce gluten-free?
Do not assume so. Many soy sauces contain wheat, and recipes differ. Check the exact product label or ask the restaurant to verify it.
Can plain rice or unmarinated meat be assumed safe?
No food should be assumed safe solely from its appearance. Preparation surfaces, seasonings, utensils, grills, and serving practices still need assessment.
Can I bring an epinephrine auto-injector to Korea?
Travel with prescribed medication only after checking current airline and Korean entry requirements. Carry the labeled medicine, prescription, and a clinician letter explaining the allergy and medication.
Is a translated allergy card enough by itself?
No. Use it to support a conversation with responsible staff about ingredients, preparation, and cross-contact. Leave if safe preparation cannot be confirmed.
Key Takeaway
Prepare a clinician-approved emergency plan, keep prescribed medication accessible, communicate the exact allergen before ordering, investigate cross-contact, and leave when answers are unclear. For a medical emergency in Korea, call 119.
