How do I handle a food allergy in China?

Q: How do I handle a food allergy in China?

Carry a clear allergy card written in Chinese and treat it as your primary tool — don't rely on spoken English. Keep a translation app as backup, choose simpler dishes you can point to for your first meals, and watch for hidden ingredients like peanut oil, soy, and shellfish in sauces and broths.

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

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Make an allergy card before you go

Write your specific allergens in Chinese, clearly and simply (for example: 'I am allergic to peanuts. This can make me very sick.').
Save it offline as a screenshot and keep a printed copy in your wallet.
Include the severity — staff respond differently to 'serious allergy' than to a preference.

Ordering safely

Show the card at the start, before ordering, and ask staff to confirm.
Choose dishes you can see and point to; avoid complex sauces and shared hotpot broths when unsure.
Watch for common hidden triggers: peanut oil, sesame, soy, and seafood stock.

A translation app helps — but isn't enough

Apps like Pleco or a camera-translation tool are useful for reading menus, but a clear written card removes the risk of a mistranslation at a busy moment. Carry any emergency medication (such as an epinephrine auto-injector) with documentation, and note the nearest hospital to your hotel.

This is practical guidance, not medical advice. For a severe allergy, consult your doctor before travelling.

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