Say the essential line
Use “이 음식에 ___ 들어가요?” (Does this contain ___?) and name the exact ingredient instead of relying only on a broad label.
- Show the Korean sentence as well as saying it; pronunciation and background noise can make details easy to miss.
- Keep the Korean name “재료·알레르기·채식 여부 묻기” visible when searching menus or showing staff.
Add one clear detail
For vegetarian food ask “고기나 해산물 육수도 안 들어가요?” (Does it also contain no meat or seafood stock?). For allergy concerns, name the ingredient and ask about shared utensils.
- If heat is the concern, use the separate less-spicy guide instead of assuming the dish can be changed.
- Check the portion before adding sides; servings and set-menu rules vary by venue.
Confirm rather than assume
Staff answers describe that kitchen, not every version of the dish. Translation cards help communication but cannot certify absence or eliminate cross-contact.
- Ask staff to confirm the answer. Recipes and cross-contact practices differ by kitchen.
- Check nearby restrooms in K-Restroom before sitting down or joining a queue.