Korean food allergy guide for restaurants
Common Korean restaurant allergy questions for sesame, soy, wheat/gluten, shellfish, fish, egg, and dairy.
At a glance
- Common Korean restaurant allergy questions for sesame, soy, wheat/gluten, shellfish, fish, egg, and dairy.
- Verify sesame, soy, wheat/gluten, shellfish, fish, 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
Korean restaurant allergy questions often center on marinades, banchan, soup bases, grill surfaces, and sesame or soy-based seasonings.
Small side dishes can matter as much as the main order. Ask about the full table setup, not only the entree.
Common allergens to verify
- sesame
- soy
- wheat/gluten
- shellfish
- fish
- egg
Where those allergens may appear
Marinades and sauces
Ask about soy sauce, sesame oil, gochujang, doenjang, fish sauce, and wheat in sauce bases.
Banchan
Ask whether side dishes contain fish sauce, shrimp, sesame, egg, soy, wheat, or shellfish-based seasoning.
Soups and stews
Ask about anchovy stock, seafood stock, doenjang, gochujang, tofu, egg, and premade soup bases.
Grill restaurants
Ask what touches the grill and whether your food can be cooked separately with clean tools if that is part of your plan.
How to ask without guessing
For sesame allergy, ask about sesame oil and sesame seeds in both the main dish and banchan. Sesame can be added at the end as garnish.
For gluten or celiac disease, ask about wheat in soy sauce, gochujang, fried items, noodles, and marinades.
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