Handling Food Allergies in Chinese

Food allergies are a serious concern in the restaurant industry. For staff, clear communication is essential, not only for good service, but for guest safety. When guests speak Chinese, knowing how to ask about allergies, explain ingredients, and confirm restrictions in Mandarin can prevent dangerous mistakes and build trust.

The good news is that you don’t need advanced Chinese. With a set of clear, direct, and polite phrases, restaurant staff can handle allergy-related situations confidently and professionally.

Below is a practical guide to handling food allergies in Chinese.

1. Asking Guests About Food Allergies

It’s best to ask early, either when taking orders or when recommending dishes.

Essential questions:

• 請問有食物過敏嗎？
  (Qǐngwèn yǒu shíwù guòmǐn ma?)
  Do you have any food allergies?
  
• 對什麼食材過敏？
  (Duì shénme shícái guòmǐn?)
  What ingredients are you allergic to?

Asking clearly shows professionalism and care.

2. Common Allergy Vocabulary (Must-Know)

Knowing key ingredient words helps avoid confusion.

• 花生 (huāshēng) – peanuts
  
• 堅果 (jiānguǒ) – nuts
  
• 海鮮 (hǎixiān) – seafood
  
• 蝦 / 蟹 (xiā / xiè) – shrimp / crab
  
• 蛋 (dàn) – eggs
  
• 牛奶 / 奶製品 (niúnǎi / nǎi zhìpǐn) – milk / dairy
  
• 小麥 / 麩質 (xiǎomài / fūzhì) – wheat / gluten

Even recognizing these words can help staff respond quickly.

3. Explaining Ingredients in a Dish

When guests ask about a specific dish, clarity is critical.

Useful phrases:

• 這道菜有＿＿＿。
  (Zhè dào cài yǒu __.)
  This dish contains __.
  
• 這道菜不含＿＿＿。
  (Zhè dào cài bù hán __.)
  This dish does not contain __.
  
• 我幫您確認一下食材。
  (Wǒ bāng nín quèrèn yíxià shícái.)
  Let me check the ingredients for you.

If you’re unsure, always check, never guess.

4. When a Dish Cannot Be Modified

Sometimes, a dish cannot be made allergy-safe. Being honest is essential.

Polite but clear phrases:

• 不好意思，這道菜無法去掉＿＿＿。
  (Bù hǎo yìsi, zhè dào cài wúfǎ qùdiào __.)
  Sorry, this dish cannot remove __.
  
• 為了安全，我們不建議這道菜。
  (Wèile ānquán, wǒmen bù jiànyì zhè dào cài.)
  For safety reasons, we don’t recommend this dish.

Safety should always come before convenience.

5. Recommending Safer Alternatives

Offer options whenever possible.

Helpful phrases:

• 我可以幫您推薦其他菜。
  (Wǒ kěyǐ bāng nín tuījiàn qítā cài.)
  I can recommend other dishes for you.
  
• 這道菜比較安全。
  (Zhè dào cài bǐjiào ānquán.)
  This dish is safer.

This reassures guests that you’re looking out for them.

6. Confirming Orders Clearly

Always confirm allergy-related orders before sending them to the kitchen.

Confirmation phrases:

• 我再確認一次，您對＿＿＿過敏，對嗎？
  (Wǒ zài quèrèn yí cì, nín duì __ guòmǐn, duì ma?)
  Let me confirm—you’re allergic to __, correct?
  
• 我會特別註明過敏。
  (Wǒ huì tèbié zhùmíng guòmǐn.)
  I will note the allergy clearly.

This step is crucial for kitchen communication.

Why Allergy Communication Matters

Using clear, careful Chinese when discussing allergies helps:

• Protect guest safety
  
• Prevent serious incidents
  
• Build trust with Chinese-speaking guests
  
• Improve restaurant professionalism
  
• Reduce staff stress and mistakes

In allergy situations, clear communication saves lives.

Learn Safety-Focused Restaurant Chinese with Confidence

Handling allergies requires more than memorization, it requires confidence and accuracy.

With TutorABC Chinese, restaurant professionals can:

• Practice allergy-related role-play scenarios
  
• Learn clear service language
  
• Improve listening accuracy
  
• Study flexibly around shift schedules

Build confidence in handling food allergies in Chinese. Book a free level placement session with TutorABC Chinese today.

FAQ: Handling Food Allergies in Chinese

1. Do restaurant staff need advanced Chinese to handle food allergy situations?

No. Restaurant staff do not need advanced Chinese. Using clear, simple phrases to ask about allergies, explain ingredients, and confirm restrictions is usually enough to handle allergy-related situations safely and professionally.

2. What should staff do if they are unsure whether a dish is allergy-safe?

Never guess. Politely tell the guest you will check and confirm with the kitchen. Phrases like 「我幫您確認一下食材」 (Let me check the ingredients for you) help protect guest safety and show responsibility.

3. Is it okay to recommend against a dish if it may not be safe for allergies?

Yes, and it’s encouraged. Guest safety comes first. Saying 「為了安全，我們不建議這道菜」 (For safety reasons, we don’t recommend this dish) is polite, professional, and appropriate in Chinese-speaking service environments.