Cantonese and dim sum allergy guide
Common Cantonese and dim sum allergy questions for shellfish, fish, soy, wheat/gluten, sesame, egg, and peanut.
At a glance
- Common Cantonese and dim sum allergy questions for shellfish, fish, soy, wheat/gluten, sesame, egg, and peanut.
- Verify shellfish, fish, soy, wheat/gluten, sesame, egg before ordering.
- Ask about the dish, sauce, garnish, and shared equipment before you order.
- Log what staff said and what happened later so the next visit starts with better evidence.
What to ask first
Cantonese and dim sum allergy questions should cover fillings, wrappers, sauces, stocks, and the way small plates move through the dining room. Shellfish can appear as shrimp, dried shrimp, shrimp roe, shrimp paste, oyster sauce, or seafood stock. Wheat and egg can appear in wrappers, noodles, custards, buns, and sauces.
Dim sum service can be fast. If you need ingredient confirmation, ask before ordering from a cart or QR menu. A written allergy card helps when the room is loud or staff are moving between tables.
Common allergens to verify
- shellfish
- fish
- soy
- wheat/gluten
- sesame
- egg
- peanut
Where those allergens may appear
Dim sum dumplings and rolls
Ask about shrimp, dried shrimp, crab, fish paste, wheat wrappers, egg, and soy or oyster sauce in fillings.
Roast meats and marinades
Ask about soy sauce, hoisin, oyster sauce, sesame oil, maltose, wheat-containing sauces, and shared chopping boards.
Congee and noodle soups
Ask about fish or seafood stock, dried scallop, oyster sauce, egg noodles, wheat noodles, and garnish added at the end.
Sauces on the table
Ask about soy sauce, chili oil, XO sauce, sesame oil, peanut sauce, and whether any are added in the kitchen before service.
How to ask without guessing
For shellfish allergy, ask about dried shrimp, shrimp roe, oyster sauce, XO sauce, seafood stock, and seafood paste even when the dish is not listed as seafood.
For wheat or egg allergy, ask about the wrapper, noodle, bun, custard, batter, and sauce. Rice-based dishes can still use wheat-containing soy or oyster sauce.
Gulpp is free
Track your restaurant allergy history
Gulpp lets you log what you ate, what you asked, and whether symptoms showed up later. Your report can become the first evidence for the next diner.
Start a free logMedical disclaimer
This guide is general information for restaurant planning. It is not medical advice. For emergency symptoms, call local emergency services. For personal diagnosis, medication, or action-plan questions, talk with your allergist.
Read the medical disclaimer