Traveling China with Food Allergies: A Safety Guide

Managing food allergies in China requires extra preparation. Awareness of allergies is lower, ingredients aren't always labeled, and communication is challenging. But safe travel is possible.

The Challenges

Low Allergy Awareness

Reality in China:

• Food allergies less common/discussed
• Staff may not understand severity
• "A little bit" might seem okay to them
• Cross-contamination not well understood

Hidden Ingredients

Common issues:

• Soy sauce in almost everything
• Peanut oil common
• Sesame everywhere
• Fish sauce used widely
• Egg in unexpected places
• Shellfish in stocks

Communication Barrier

Without Chinese language:

• Hard to explain severity
• Menus don't list allergens
• Asking about ingredients is difficult

Allergy Card: Essential Tool

Create a Card

Prepare a card in Chinese explaining your allergy. Example for peanut allergy:

我对花生严重过敏。
如果我吃了花生，我会有生命危险。
请确保我的食物里没有：
- 花生
- 花生油
- 任何含花生的食材

请问这道菜安全吗？谢谢您的帮助！

Translation:

I have a severe peanut allergy.
If I eat peanuts, my life is in danger.
Please ensure my food contains no:
- Peanuts
- Peanut oil
- Any ingredients with peanuts

Is this dish safe? Thank you for your help!

Common Allergens in Chinese

Allergen	Chinese	Pinyin
Peanuts	花生	Huāshēng
Tree nuts	坚果	Jiānguǒ
Soy	大豆/黄豆	Dàdòu/Huángdòu
Wheat/Gluten	小麦/麸质	Xiǎomài/Fūzhì
Shellfish	贝类	Bèilèi
Fish	鱼	Yú
Eggs	鸡蛋	Jīdàn
Milk	牛奶	Niúnǎi
Sesame	芝麻	Zhīma

High-Risk Foods by Allergen

Peanut Allergy

High risk:

• Kung Pao chicken (宫保鸡丁)
• Many Sichuan dishes
• Sauces and dressings
• Street food
• Desserts

Safer options:

• Steamed dishes
• Clear soups
• Plain rice/noodles
• Foods you watch being made

Soy Allergy

Very difficult in China:

• Soy sauce in almost everything
• Tofu common
• Soy oil used
• Nearly impossible to avoid completely

Strategy:

• Eat at Western restaurants
• Self-cater when possible
• Extremely careful communication

Shellfish Allergy

High risk:

• Cantonese cuisine
• Oyster sauce (extremely common)
• Seafood restaurants
• Fried rice (often has shrimp)

Watch for:

• 蚝油 (háoyóu) — Oyster sauce

Gluten/Wheat

Difficult because:

• Soy sauce contains wheat
• Noodles are everywhere
• Dumplings, buns common

Safer:

• Rice-based dishes
• Southern Chinese cuisine
• Specify no soy sauce

Sesame

Common in:

• Many sauces
• Bread toppings
• Desserts
• Oil for cooking

Restaurant Strategies

Best Approaches

1. Show allergy card before ordering
2. Point at safe-looking dishes and confirm
3. Watch food being prepared if possible
4. Eat at international hotels (more awareness)
5. Choose simple dishes (fewer ingredients)

Questions to Ask

With translation app:

• 这道菜有[allergen]吗？— Does this dish have [allergen]?
• 用什么油炒的？— What oil is used?
• 可以不放[allergen]吗？— Can you leave out [allergen]?

When in Doubt

Don't eat it. Not worth the risk.

Emergency Preparation

Bring from Home

• EpiPens (at least 2)
• Antihistamines
• Doctor's letter explaining condition
• Allergy action plan

Medical Information

• Know nearest hospital in each city
• International clinics exist in major cities
• Have insurance that covers allergic reactions
• Save emergency phrases in phone

Emergency Phrases

• 我过敏发作了！(Wǒ guòmǐn fāzuò le!) — I'm having an allergic reaction!
• 请叫救护车！(Qǐng jiào jiùhùchē!) — Please call ambulance!
• 需要打针！(Xūyào dǎzhēn!) — Need injection!

Safer Eating Options

Best Bets

• International hotels: Better allergy awareness
• Western restaurants: Familiar ingredients
• Self-catering: Control everything
• Fresh fruit: Naturally safe
• Plain rice: Usually safe
• Foods you see prepared: Know what's in it

Riskier Options

• Street food: Unknown ingredients, cross-contamination
• Buffets: Cross-contamination high
• Local restaurants: Communication difficult
• Pre-made foods: Unclear ingredients

The Reality

Traveling with food allergies in China requires:

• Extra preparation
• Constant vigilance
• Acceptance of limitations
• Backup food options
• Willingness to miss some food experiences

But it's doable. Many people with allergies travel China successfully.

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Need allergy help? The China Survival Kit includes allergy card templates, restaurant guides, and emergency medical phrases.