If you have a serious food allergy, do not rely on a single Korean phrase or assume that a restaurant can safely modify every dish. The clearest approach is to explain the allergy directly, name the ingredient in Korean, ask whether it is used, and confirm that the kitchen can avoid it. For severe allergies, carry a written Korean allergy card and use a translation app or Korean-speaking companion as backup.
The essential Korean phrase
Start with this sentence:
저는 ___ 알레르기가 있어요.
Jeoneun ___ allerugiga isseoyo.
“I have an allergy to ___.”
Replace the blank with the ingredient. For example:
- 땅콩 (ttangkong) — peanuts
- 견과류 (gyeongwallyu) — tree nuts
- 우유 (uyu) — milk
- 달걀 or 계란 (dalgyal or gyeran) — egg
- 밀 (mil) — wheat
- 글루텐 (geulluten) — gluten
- 콩 (kong) — soybeans or soy
- 생선 (saengseon) — fish
- 갑각류 (gapgakryu) — crustaceans
- 새우 (saeu) — shrimp
- 게 (ge) — crab
- 조개류 (jogaeryu) — shellfish
In Korean, 알레르기가 있어요 means “I have an allergy.” This is more useful than simply saying that you “cannot eat” something, because 못 먹어요 can also mean a preference, dietary restriction, or religious choice.
Explain that even a small amount is dangerous
If exposure can cause a serious reaction, make that clear:
조금만 들어가도 위험해요.
Jogeumman deureogado wiheomhaeyo.
“Even a little is dangerous.”
You can also say:
심한 알레르기예요.
Simhan allerugiyeyo.
“It is a severe allergy.”
For an allergy that may cause anaphylaxis, this longer explanation is useful:
이 음식이 들어가면 아나필락시스가 올 수 있어요.
I eumsigi deureogamyeon anapillaksiseuga ol su isseoyo.
“If this ingredient is included, I may have anaphylaxis.”
아나필락시스 (anapillaksiseu) is the Korean medical term for anaphylaxis. You do not need to use medical vocabulary if it is difficult, but writing it on an allergy card can help communicate the seriousness of the situation.
Ask whether the dish contains the allergen
Use 들어가요? (deureogayo?) to ask whether an ingredient goes into a dish:
이 음식에 땅콩이 들어가요?
I eumsige ttangkongi deureogayo?
“Does this dish contain peanuts?”
Change 땅콩 to the ingredient you need to check. You can also ask whether a sauce contains it:
이 소스에 우유가 들어가요?
I soseu-e uyuga deureogayo?
“Does this sauce contain milk?”
For packaged products, ask:
성분표를 볼 수 있을까요?
Seongbunpyoreul bol su isseulkkayo?
“Could I see the ingredient list?”
원재료명 (wonjaeryomyeong) means “ingredients” or “ingredient names” on a Korean label. Allergen information may also appear separately, but the exact format can vary by product.
Ask whether the kitchen can avoid cross-contact
Removing a visible ingredient may not be enough if the same oil, grill, pan, knife, or utensils are used. To ask about shared cooking equipment, say:
같은 기름을 사용하나요?
Gateun gireumeul sayonghanayo?
“Do you use the same oil?”
같은 프라이팬이나 도마를 사용하나요?
Gateun peuraipeonina domareul sayonghanayo?
“Do you use the same frying pan or cutting board?”
To ask for a clean preparation area:
알레르기 때문에 따로 조리할 수 있나요?
Allergi ttaemune ttaro jorihal su innayo?
“Because of my allergy, can you prepare it separately?”
For fried food, be especially specific. 튀김 (twigim) is often cooked in shared oil, and a dish that does not visibly contain your allergen may still be unsuitable. Ask whether the food is fried in separate oil, and do not assume that a staff member’s “yes” means the kitchen can guarantee zero cross-contact.
Ask for a safe alternative
If a dish contains the allergen, you can ask whether it can be omitted:
땅콩을 빼고 조리해 주실 수 있나요?
Ttangkong-eul ppaego jorihae jusil su innayo?
“Could you prepare it without peanuts?”
However, 빼 주세요 (“please leave it out”) is not sufficient for a severe allergy if the ingredient is already in a sauce, marinade, stock, seasoning, or shared cooking oil. Use this fuller question instead:
땅콩이 전혀 들어가지 않는 메뉴가 있나요?
Ttangkongi jeonhyeo deureogaji anneun menyuga innayo?
“Do you have a menu item that contains no peanuts at all?”
If the restaurant cannot accommodate you, ask directly:
알레르기 손님도 먹을 수 있는 메뉴가 있나요?
Allergi sonnimdo meogeul su inneun menyuga innayo?
“Is there a menu item that a guest with an allergy can eat?”
Confirm the answer before eating
Before accepting the food, repeat the key restriction:
확인할게요. 땅콩과 땅콩기름이 전혀 안 들어갔나요?
Hwaginhalgeyo. Ttangkonggwa ttangkonggireumi jeonhyeo an deureogannayo?
“Let me confirm: does it contain no peanuts or peanut oil at all?”
확인할게요 means “Let me confirm.” It sounds natural and gives staff a chance to correct a misunderstanding. If the answer is vague, the staff member seems unsure, or the kitchen cannot explain its ingredients, do not treat that as confirmation of safety.
Useful words you may encounter
- 알레르기 (allerugi) — allergy
- 성분 (seongbun) — ingredient or component
- 소스 (soseu) — sauce
- 육수 (yuksu) — broth or stock
- 양념 (yangnyeom) — seasoning or marinade
- 기름 (gireum) — oil
- 조리하다 (jorihada) — to cook or prepare
- 따로 (ttaro) — separately
- 전혀 (jeonhyeo) — at all, entirely, usually used with a negative
- 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) — it is okay; depending on context, it can also sound like “no thanks”
Show a written allergy card
A written message is often safer than trying to explain a complicated allergy verbally in a noisy restaurant. You can show this text on your phone:
저는 땅콩에 심한 알레르기가 있습니다. 땅콩, 땅콩기름, 땅콩이 들어간 소스와 양념을 먹을 수 없습니다. 조금만 들어가도 위험합니다. 같은 기름이나 조리도구를 사용하면 안 됩니다. 이 음식이 안전한지 확인해 주세요.
This says: “I have a severe peanut allergy. I cannot eat peanuts, peanut oil, or sauces and seasonings containing peanuts. Even a small amount is dangerous. The same oil or cooking utensils must not be used. Please check whether this food is safe.” Replace the allergen as needed, but have a fluent Korean speaker or medical professional check the wording for a severe or unusual allergy.
Restaurant situations that require extra caution
Buffets, shared grills, bakeries, fried-food shops, bakeries, and restaurants with complex sauces can be difficult because ingredients and utensils may be shared. Korean dishes may also contain less obvious sources of allergens, such as broth, seasoning powder, dumpling fillings, marinades, or garnish. A dish described as “vegetable” is not automatically free from fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, or other ingredients.
At a barbecue restaurant, ask about the marinade and whether the grill is shared. At a noodle restaurant, ask about the broth and toppings. At a café or bakery, ask about fillings, toppings, and shared display utensils. If staff cannot identify the ingredients or explain preparation clearly, choose a different restaurant or a food you can verify from a sealed label.
If the restaurant cannot accommodate you
A polite refusal is better than pressure or guesswork. You can say:
알겠습니다. 그럼 먹지 않겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Algesseumnida. Geureom meokji angetseumnida. Gamsahamnida.
“I understand. Then I will not eat it. Thank you.”
If you have a severe allergy, carry your prescribed emergency medication and know how to seek urgent medical help in Korea. Restaurant staff may be helpful, but they cannot guarantee safety unless they understand the ingredient and preparation risks. The most reliable strategy is to communicate early, ask about hidden ingredients and shared equipment, and leave when the answer is uncertain.