Korean Food Allergies: How to Manage Food Allergies in Korea (2025 Guide)

 






Traveling to Korea as a foodie is exciting—but if you have food allergies, it can also feel stressful. 🥺 With dishes full of ingredients like soy, sesame, and seafood, it’s easy to worry about what’s safe to eat. The good news? With the right preparation and tools, you can enjoy Korea’s amazing food culture safely and confidently.

This 2025 guide explains how to manage food allergies in Korea, including key Korean allergy vocabulary, how to communicate with restaurant staff, and what to watch out for in local dishes. 🍜

🍱 Understanding Food Allergies in Korea

Koreans are becoming more aware of food allergies, but labeling and awareness still vary. While large restaurants and packaged food brands often list allergens in Korean, small eateries or traditional markets might not.

Common allergens recognized by the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) include:

  • 🥛 Milk
  • 🌾 Wheat (gluten)
  • 🥜 Peanuts
  • 🌰 Tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pine nuts)
  • 🍤 Shellfish & seafood
  • 🐟 Fish
  • 🥚 Eggs
  • 🌱 Soy
  • 🍋 Citrus (in sauces, marinades)
  • 🍈 Buckwheat (often in noodles)

⚠️ Note: Cross-contamination is common, especially in dishes like stews or barbecue where multiple ingredients cook together.










🗣️ How to Say “I Have a Food Allergy” in Korean

When eating out, it helps to know a few key phrases. You can show these sentences to restaurant staff or keep them saved on your phone:

  • ❗ 저는 음식 알레르기가 있어요. (jeo-neun eum-sik al-le-reu-gi-ga iss-eo-yo) – I have a food allergy.
  • 🚫 이 음식에 [땅콩 / 우유 / 해산물] 있나요? (i eum-sig-e [ttang-kong / uu / hae-san-mul] iss-na-yo?) – Does this dish contain [peanuts / milk / seafood]?
  • ⚠️ 이 재료를 빼 주세요. (i jae-ryo-reul ppae ju-se-yo) – Please remove this ingredient.

💡 Pro Tip: Carry an allergy card in Korean that lists your allergens clearly. You can print or save one on your phone. Some allergy-friendly apps (like Google Translate with photo scan) also work well for menus.

🍜 Common Allergens in Popular Korean Dishes

1. Kimchi (김치)

❗ Contains: Fish sauce or shrimp paste (in most versions). ✅ Safe alternative: Vegan kimchi (채식 김치), often found in vegan or temple restaurants.

2. Bibimbap (비빔밥)

❗ Contains: Soy sauce, sesame oil, egg (optional). ✅ Ask for: No egg (계란 빼 주세요) and no gochujang if you’re sensitive to chili or gluten.

3. Korean BBQ (고기구이)

❗ Contains: Soy-based marinades, sesame seeds, and dipping sauces. ✅ Safe tip: Choose unmarinated meats (생고기) and grill them yourself.

4. Tteokbokki (떡볶이)

❗ Contains: Fish cake, chili paste (gochujang), sometimes shellfish broth. ✅ Ask for: Fish cake-free (어묵 빼 주세요) or vegan version at modern Korean fusion cafes.

5. Ramyeon (라면)

❗ Contains: Wheat, MSG, soy, seafood broth. ✅ Safe tip: Try gluten-free noodles or imported allergy-friendly brands from major supermarkets.

6. Banchan (Side Dishes)

❗ Contains: Soy sauce, sesame oil, anchovy stock. ✅ Be cautious: Even “simple” veggies often use fish sauce for flavor.

🛍️ Shopping Allergy-Friendly in Korea

If you prefer cooking at home or in your hotel, here’s where to shop safely:

  • 🏪 Emart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus: Large supermarkets that carry imported allergy-free items.
  • 🌿 iHerb Korea or Coupang Global: Online stores with gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free brands.
  • 🍞 Vegan bakeries in Seoul: Plant-based and allergy-friendly (e.g., “The Bread Blue”, “Plant Café Seoul”).

📦 Label Tip: Look for “알레르기 유발 물질 표시” on packaging—it lists allergens like milk (우유), soy (대두), or wheat (밀).

🏥 Emergency Tips & Medical Support

  • 🚑 In an emergency, dial 119 (ambulance) and say “Allergy” or “알레르기 (al-le-reu-gi)”.
  • 💊 Pharmacies (약국) are everywhere. Ask for “항히스타민” (antihistamine) if you have a mild reaction.
  • 🏥 Major hospitals like Severance Hospital and Samsung Medical Center in Seoul have English-speaking doctors.
  • ⚕️ Carry your EpiPen if prescribed—it’s hard to find in Korea without a doctor’s note.

💡 Pro Tips for Managing Allergies in Korea

  • 📱 Use Google Translate camera mode to scan ingredient lists in Korean.
  • 📖 Learn your allergen’s Korean name—restaurant staff are more likely to understand if you use local words.
  • 🍴 Eat at vegan, halal, or temple restaurants—they’re more allergy-conscious and transparent with ingredients.
  • 📶 Rent WiFi Korea or use a KT&G SIM card to stay connected for translation apps and emergencies.

🍽️ Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains in Korea (2025)

  • 🥗 Plant Café Seoul (Itaewon): 100% vegan menu, clearly labeled for allergens.
  • 🍞 The Bread Blue (Sinchon): Gluten-free and dairy-free bakery.
  • 🍔 Beyond Burgers (Lotte World Mall): Allergy-conscious options with English menus.
  • 🍣 Ose Gye Hyang (Insadong): Vegan Korean cuisine—no seafood or animal products.

🧳 Travel Essentials for Allergy Safety

  • 📄 Allergy card in Korean (print or save digitally).
  • 💊 EpiPen or allergy medication (carry in your hand luggage).
  • 📱 Translation & map apps ready.
  • 🎫 Purchase a T-money card for safe and convenient travel.
  • 🏨 Book hotels with kitchens (look for “residence-style” listings).

✅ Conclusion

Living or traveling with allergies in Korea can seem intimidating at first, but it’s completely manageable with a little preparation. Once you know how to say the right phrases and where to find allergy-safe food, you’ll discover that Korea has plenty of delicious, allergen-friendly options. 🌿

Have you managed food allergies while traveling in Korea? Share your experience or tips in the comments below!

🏷️ Labels & Hashtags

Labels: Korean food allergies, Allergy-friendly Korea, Traveling with allergies, Korean food safety, Food tips in Korea
Hashtags: #bookhotelinSeoul #buyKTandGSimcard #purchaseTmoneycard #rentWiFiKorea #orderKoreancosmetics #KoreanFoodAllergies #KoreaTravelGuide #KoreanTrip #VeganKorea

ℹ️ About Hello Korea

Hello Korea shares honest, helpful guides for traveling and living in Korea—from a foreigner’s perspective.

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All personal information will be used solely for the purposes of this blog and will not be used for any other reason.

⚠️ Disclaimer

The information on this blog is based on personal experience and publicly available sources. Actual experiences may differ. Food ingredients, labels, and restaurant menus may change—please verify before eating.

🌤️ Friendly Reminder

8. Information may vary slightly by environment and region. Please use this as a reference only.







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