KoreaClear · Travel answer

How can I explain my dietary restrictions in Korean?

Short answer

Save a short Korean card on your phone with the exact ingredients you avoid. Show it before ordering and ask the kitchen to check the broth, sauces and toppings too.

What to do

Copy the appropriate English–Korean pair below into your phone notes. Keep both languages visible and save a screenshot for offline use.
List every ingredient you need to avoid. Show the card before ordering and ask staff to check with the cook.
Ask whether the kitchen can actually prepare that dish to your requirements. If staff cannot confirm, choose another dish or restaurant.

Check before relying on this

A translated card does not guarantee ingredients or prevent cross-contact. Do not describe an allergy as merely a dislike.
A meat-free-looking dish may still contain animal-based broth or seasoning; ask about the recipe, not just visible pieces.
These are example phrases. For a food allergy or coeliac disease, have your personalised Korean card checked before travel and carry your clinician’s emergency plan.

More details and examples Expand

General restriction — copy and customise

English: I cannot eat the following ingredients: [list]. Are any of them in this dish, including the broth, sauce or toppings? Korean: 저는 다음 재료를 먹을 수 없습니다: [재료 목록]. 이 음식의 육수, 소스, 고명에도 이 재료가 들어가나요?

Vegetarian — excludes meat and seafood, permits egg and dairy

English: I do not eat meat, fish or seafood, including broths, fish sauce and salted seafood. I can eat eggs and dairy. Korean: 저는 고기, 생선, 해산물을 먹지 않습니다. 고기나 해산물로 만든 육수, 액젓, 젓갈도 먹지 않습니다. 달걀과 유제품은 먹을 수 있습니다.

Vegan — a separate template

English: I do not eat animal-derived ingredients, including meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy or honey. Please check the broth and sauces too. Korean: 저는 고기, 생선, 해산물, 달걀, 유제품, 꿀 등 동물성 재료를 먹지 않습니다. 육수와 소스도 확인해 주세요.

Allergy — use only if it accurately describes you

English: I am allergic to [ingredient]. Can you check whether the food contains it or may come into contact with it during preparation? Korean: 저는 [재료]에 알레르기가 있습니다. 음식에 이 재료가 들어가거나 조리 중 접촉할 가능성이 있는지 확인해 주시겠어요?

Ingredient words to customise the card

Peanuts = 땅콩; milk = 우유; eggs = 달걀; wheat = 밀; soybeans = 대두(콩); sesame = 참깨; shrimp = 새우; crab = 게; fish = 생선; pork = 돼지고기; beef = 소고기; chicken = 닭고기. This list is not exhaustive: name each relevant ingredient rather than relying on a broad category such as seafood.

Ask the cook

English: Please check with the cook. If you cannot confirm, please tell me. Korean: 요리사에게 확인해 주세요. 확인하기 어렵다면 말씀해 주세요.

Practical detail and remaining limits

Keep the Korean and English wording together and list ingredients explicitly. A card communicates a request; the kitchen still has to confirm whether its recipe and preparation can meet it.

Sources and provider examples

External sources may use another language.

Sources last checked: 2026-09-30. Rules, hours and services can change.