Allergy Guide
Food Allergies and Chinese Food
Chinese menus can contain peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, shellfish, fish, soy, wheat, egg, milk, and hidden ingredients in sauces, broths, fillings, and frying oil. For serious allergies, cross-contact and communication are as important as visible ingredients.
Food allergy ordering on a Chinese menu
Allergy-safe ordering depends on ingredients, sauces, marinades, broths, prep surfaces, utensils, fryers, and the kitchen’s ability to prevent cross-contact. A dish that does not list an allergen may still contain it in sauce, stock, garnish, or cooking oil.
What to watch for
| Allergen | Common places it appears | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Peanuts | Kung pao dishes, cold noodles, sauces, garnishes. | Are peanuts or peanut oil used? |
| Tree nuts | Cashews, walnuts, desserts, sauces. | Are nuts cooked in the same wok or fryer? |
| Sesame | Sesame oil, sesame paste, seeds, cold dishes. | Is sesame oil used as a finishing oil? |
| Shellfish | Shrimp, crab, lobster, oyster sauce, dried shrimp, shrimp paste. | Does the sauce contain oyster sauce or dried shrimp? |
| Fish | Fish sauce, fish balls, seafood broth. | Is fish sauce or fish stock used? |
| Soy | Soy sauce, tofu, bean paste, edamame. | Can this be made without soy ingredients? |
| Wheat | Soy sauce, noodles, dumplings, batters. | Is there wheat or wheat-containing soy sauce? |
| Egg | Fried rice, noodles, egg drop soup, batters, dumplings. | Is egg mixed in or used in the coating? |
| Milk | Hong Kong cafe drinks, baked rice, desserts, buns. | Is there milk, butter, cheese, or condensed milk? |
Better choices and limits
For serious allergies, the best choice is a restaurant that understands allergen controls and can answer specific questions. Highly complex dishes, fried foods, dumplings, sauces, and shared fryer items are harder to assess.
| Lower-complexity option | Why it may help | Still ask |
|---|---|---|
| Plain rice | Few ingredients. | Any seasoning or shared scoop? |
| Steamed vegetables | Simple method. | Sauce, broth, and shared equipment. |
| Plain steamed protein | Fewer sauce ingredients. | Marinade, sauce, and prep surface. |
| Home cooking | Best control. | Use verified ingredients. |
| Dedicated allergen-aware restaurant | Better protocols. | Confirm the specific allergen and cross-contact controls. |
Ordering script
Simple request
“I have a serious allergy to [allergen]. Does this dish contain it in the sauce, broth, marinade, garnish, fryer oil, or cooking surface?”