Dietary & Allergies

1. 저는 채식주의자입니다.

   Jeo-neun chae-sik-ju-ui-ja-im-ni-da.

   I am vegetarian.

   Usage

   Formal declaration of vegetarianism

   Grammar Note

   "-imnida" is the most formal copula

2. 저는 비건이고 동물성 식품은 전혀 먹지 않습니다.

   Jeo-neun bi-geon-i-go dong-mul-seong sik-pum-eun jeon-hyeo meok-ji an-seum-ni-da.

   I'm vegan and don't eat any animal products.

   Usage

   Avoids all animal-derived foods

   Grammar Note

   "jeonhyeo ~ anhda" is emphatic negation

3. 견과류 알레르기가 있습니다.

   Gyeon-gwa-ryu al-le-reu-gi-ga it-seum-ni-da.

   I have a nut allergy.

   Usage

   Tree-nut allergy

   Grammar Note

   "~i/ga itseumnida" politely expresses possession

4. 글루텐 프리 메뉴가 있나요?

   Geul-lu-ten peu-ri me-nyu-ga in-na-yo?

   Do you have a gluten-free menu?

   Usage

   Celiac/gluten intolerance question

   Grammar Note

   "innayo" is a softer polite form

5. 할랄을 지키고 있어서 돼지고기는 먹지 않습니다.

   Hal-lal-eul ji-ki-go i-sseo-seo dwae-ji-go-gi-neun meok-ji an-seum-ni-da.

   I keep halal so I don't eat pork.

   Usage

   Declares Muslim observance

   Grammar Note

   "~aseo/eoseo" expresses cause/reason

6. 유당불내증이 있습니다.

   Yu-dang-bul-lae-jeung-i it-seum-ni-da.

   I am lactose intolerant.

   Usage

   Declares lactose intolerance

   Grammar Note

   Distinct from an allergy

7. 갑각류 알레르기가 있습니다.

   Gap-gang-nyu al-le-reu-gi-ga it-seum-ni-da.

   I have a shellfish allergy.

   Usage

   Often severe shellfish allergy

   Grammar Note

   "Jogaeryu" (mollusks) is separate

8. 이 요리에는 어떤 재료가 들어 있나요?

   I yo-ri-e-neun eo-tteon jae-ryo-ga deul-eo in-na-yo?

   What ingredients are in this dish?

   Usage

   Standard ingredient-check question

   Grammar Note

   "deureo itda" means "contained inside"

9. 양파 빼고 만들어 주실 수 있나요?

   Yang-pa ppae-go man-deul-eo ju-sil su in-na-yo?

   Could you make it without onions?

   Usage

   Request to omit an ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "~a/eo jusida" is the polite request auxiliary

10. 계란 알레르기가 있습니다.

    Gye-ran al-le-reu-gi-ga it-seum-ni-da.

    I have an egg allergy.

    Usage

    Watch for hidden eggs

    Grammar Note

    "Dalgyal" is a common synonym for "gyeran"

11. 알레르기 유발 성분 정보가 있나요?

    Al-le-reu-gi yu-bal seong-bun jeong-bo-ga in-na-yo?

    Do you have allergen information?

    Usage

    Asks if allergen info is available

    Grammar Note

    Korea mandates 22 allergen declarations

12. 이 알레르기는 생명에 위협이 됩니다. 매우 조심해 주세요.

    I al-le-reu-gi-neun saeng-myeong-e wi-hyeob-i doem-ni-da. Mae-u jo-sim-hae ju-se-yo.

    This allergy is life-threatening. Please be very careful.

    Usage

    Communicates anaphylaxis risk

    Grammar Note

    "~e wihyeop-i doeda" = "to be a threat to ~"

13. 여기에 땅콩 기름이 들어가나요?

    Yeo-gi-e ttang-kong gi-reum-i deul-eo-ga-na-yo?

    Does this contain peanut oil?

    Usage

    Important at Asian restaurants

    Grammar Note

    "deureogada" = "goes into / is contained"

14. 알레르기 없는 요리에는 별도의 조리 도구를 사용하시나요?

    Al-le-reu-gi eom-neun yo-ri-e-neun byeol-do-ui jo-ri do-gu-reul sa-yong-ha-si-na-yo?

    Do you use separate cooking equipment for allergen-free dishes?

    Usage

    Checks cross-contamination control

    Grammar Note

    "~sinayo" uses subject honorific to address staff

15. 식이 제한을 배려해 주셔서 감사합니다.

    Sig-i je-han-eul bae-ryeo-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.

    Thank you for accommodating my dietary restrictions.

    Usage

    Polite gratitude for accommodation

    Grammar Note

    "~a/eo jusyeoseo gamsahamnida" is the most polite thanks

16. 종교적인 이유로 소고기를 먹지 않습니다.

    Jong-gyo-jeo-gin i-yu-ro so-go-gi-reul meok-ji an-seum-ni-da.

    For religious reasons I don't eat beef.

    Usage

    Explains religious avoidance of beef

    Grammar Note

    "Soegogi" is also standard

17. 돼지고기

    Dwae-ji-go-gi

    Pork

    Usage

    Directly relevant to religious restrictions; point at it to ask whether a dish contains it

18. 소고기

    So-go-gi

    Beef

    Usage

    For checking whether a dish contains beef; "쇠고기" means the same

19. 닭고기

    Dak-go-gi

    Chicken

    Usage

    For checking whether a dish contains chicken

20. 생선

    Saeng-seon

    Fish (as food)

    Usage

    Fish as food; a live fish is a different word, "물고기"

21. 계란

    Gye-ran

    Egg

    Usage

    For checking for egg in a dish; "달걀" means the same

22. 유제품

    Yu-je-pum

    Dairy products

    Usage

    Covers milk, butter, cheese and anything else milk-based

23. 땅콩

    Ttang-kong

    Peanut

    Usage

    Anaphylaxis risk; also watch for peanut oil, "땅콩기름"

24. 견과류

    Gyeon-gwa-ryu

    Tree nuts

    Usage

    Almonds, walnuts and other tree nuts; peanuts ("땅콩") are counted separately

25. 갑각류

    Gap-gang-nyu

    Crustaceans

    Usage

    Shrimp, crab and the like; they also turn up in broths

26. 밀

    Mil

    Wheat

    Usage

    The exact word used on Korean allergen labels; wheat flour is "밀가루"

27. 대두

    Dae-du

    Soybean

    Usage

    The word used on allergen labels; the everyday word "콩" means beans in general, so use this when you mean soy specifically

28. 참깨

    Cham-kkae

    Sesame

    Usage

    Very common in Korean cooking; sesame oil is "참기름"

29. 알코올

    Al-ko-ol

    Alcohol

    Usage

    Alcohol as an ingredient; a drink is "술"

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