Dietary and Allergy Guide
MSG-Sensitive Chinese Food Ordering
Some diners prefer to avoid added MSG. The practical issue is that savory intensity can also come from soy sauce, oyster sauce, bouillon, chicken powder, fermented sauces, dried seafood, and stock.
Overview
Some diners prefer to avoid added MSG. The practical issue is that savory intensity can also come from soy sauce, oyster sauce, bouillon, chicken powder, fermented sauces, dried seafood, and stock. This page is a practical restaurant-ordering guide. It helps identify common risk points, lower-risk starting points, and useful questions to ask before ordering.
Better starting points
- Simple steamed dishes
- Sauce on the side
- Plain rice
- Freshly cooked vegetables with salt only if available
- Restaurants that can say whether seasonings are premixed
What to watch for
- Chicken powder
- Bouillon powder
- Premixed sauces
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Fermented bean pastes
- Dried seafood
- Soup bases and hot pot broths
Questions to ask
- Do you add MSG or chicken powder?
- Is the sauce premixed?
- Can this be made with no added MSG and less sauce?
- Can sauce be served on the side?
Useful phrase
请不要加味精或鸡粉，酱汁放旁边。
A phrase can help communication, but it cannot verify ingredients, labels, shared equipment, or kitchen practice by itself.
Ordering strategy
Keep the order simple. Prefer dishes with fewer sauces and fewer mixed ingredients. Mention the restriction before asking for dish recommendations. When the restriction is medically important, ask about preparation, not only ingredients.