China & Taiwan Travel

Chinese Food Allergy Card

Create a bilingual English-Chinese (Mandarin) allergy card for safe dining in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Chinese restaurants worldwide.

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Free to create · No account required · Printable download $8.99 one-time

Traveling to China with Food Allergies

Chinese cuisine is rich and varied — but for food allergy sufferers, it presents unique challenges. Peanuts and sesame appear in countless dishes (often as hidden oils), shellfish and shrimp pastes are common flavor bases, and cross-contamination in busy kitchen woks is extremely common.

A Chinese food allergy card (过敏卡) gives you a powerful communication tool. Instead of relying on pointing at menus or hoping your server understands English, you can show a professionally worded card that clearly explains your restrictions in Mandarin Chinese.

Our cards cover both Simplified Chinese (Mainland China) and are optimized for clarity across all Chinese-speaking regions including Taiwan and Hong Kong.

China's cuisine hides allergens in ways that frequently catch travelers off guard. Peanut oil (花生油) is one of the most common cooking oils and appears even in dishes where whole peanuts are absent. Tofu and soy milk (豆腐/豆浆) add hidden soy proteins to soups and stews. Sesame paste (芝麻酱) is a base for hot pot dipping sauces and cold noodle dishes. Shrimp paste (虾酱) appears in Cantonese and Sichuan stir-fry sauces. Shellfish stock (贝类高汤) forms the base of many regional Chinese soups and broths. Stating these specific Chinese-language terms on your allergy card is far more effective than a general 'no seafood' request.

Why Chinese Travelers Need an Allergy Card

Hidden allergens in Chinese cooking

Peanut oil, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and shrimp paste are invisible in finished dishes. Our cards explicitly name these hidden sources.

Wok cross-contamination

Traditional Chinese cooking uses shared woks at high heat. Our cards clearly request dedicated equipment for severe allergies.

Works in Chinese restaurants worldwide

Use your card not just in China, but at any Chinese restaurant globally. Kitchen staff who speak Mandarin will immediately understand.

AI-assisted structured draft

Start with structured Mandarin wording and live preview, then verify critical wording before travel.

Ready to create your translation card?

Free to preview. PNG and PDF download is $8.99 one-time. No account required.

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How to Create Your Chinese Allergy Card

Select your allergens

Choose peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, wheat, or any of our 30+ allergen options. Add custom items for less common allergies.

Set language to English + Chinese

Select English as primary and Chinese (Mandarin) as your destination language.

Customize with notes

Add a personal note like "I carry an EpiPen" or "Please use clean woks." Our AI will translate it accurately.

Save and share

Preview your card first, then unlock PNG/PDF download. Share via WeChat, email it to your hotel, or print it before your trip.

Start Creating

China Travel Tips for Allergy Sufferers

Always mention your allergy before ordering — not after the food arrives. Say "我有食物过敏" (I have food allergies) first.
Dim sum dishes often contain hidden seafood. Show your card to kitchen staff, not just waiters.
Street food stalls rarely accommodate allergies well. Stick to restaurants with visible kitchens when possible.
Many Chinese seasonings contain soy, wheat, or shellfish derivatives. Ask to see ingredient lists when available.
Downloading WeChat translation features offline is helpful alongside your physical/digital allergy card.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say "I am allergic to peanuts" in Chinese?

我对花生过敏 (Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn). Our cards prominently display this phrase in Chinese characters alongside clear allergen icons.

Does the Chinese allergy card work in Taiwan and Hong Kong?

Yes. Our Simplified Chinese cards are understood throughout Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. We use universally understood Mandarin phrasing.

Are peanuts really a problem in Chinese restaurants?

Absolutely. Peanut oil is a staple cooking oil in Chinese cuisine, and ground peanuts appear in sauces, garnishes, and noodle dishes. Even dishes not listed as containing peanuts may be cooked in peanut oil.

Is the card available in Traditional Chinese?

Currently our cards use Simplified Chinese script, which is widely understood. We plan to add Traditional Chinese support soon.

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Now on iOS

AllergyCard — Available on the App Store

The AllergyCard iOS app lets you show your allergy card offline, speak your restrictions aloud in the local language, and access an emergency screen — all without Wi-Fi. Free to download, available in 174 countries.

Download on the App Store

Start for free

Create your allergy card now

Free to create and preview. Printable PNG/PDF is $8.99 one-time.

Create My Card

Free to create · No signup required · Pay only if you download printable files

Traveling to China with Food Allergies

Our cards cover both Simplified Chinese (Mainland China) and are optimized for clarity across all Chinese-speaking regions including Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Why Chinese Travelers Need an Allergy Card

Hidden allergens in Chinese cooking

Peanut oil, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and shrimp paste are invisible in finished dishes. Our cards explicitly name these hidden sources.

Wok cross-contamination

Traditional Chinese cooking uses shared woks at high heat. Our cards clearly request dedicated equipment for severe allergies.

Works in Chinese restaurants worldwide

Use your card not just in China, but at any Chinese restaurant globally. Kitchen staff who speak Mandarin will immediately understand.

AI-assisted structured draft

Start with structured Mandarin wording and live preview, then verify critical wording before travel.

How to Create Your Chinese Allergy Card

Select your allergens

Choose peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, wheat, or any of our 30+ allergen options. Add custom items for less common allergies.

Set language to English + Chinese

Select English as primary and Chinese (Mandarin) as your destination language.

Customize with notes

Add a personal note like "I carry an EpiPen" or "Please use clean woks." Our AI will translate it accurately.

Save and share

Preview your card first, then unlock PNG/PDF download. Share via WeChat, email it to your hotel, or print it before your trip.

China Travel Tips for Allergy Sufferers

Always mention your allergy before ordering — not after the food arrives. Say "我有食物过敏" (I have food allergies) first.

Dim sum dishes often contain hidden seafood. Show your card to kitchen staff, not just waiters.

Street food stalls rarely accommodate allergies well. Stick to restaurants with visible kitchens when possible.

Many Chinese seasonings contain soy, wheat, or shellfish derivatives. Ask to see ingredient lists when available.

Downloading WeChat translation features offline is helpful alongside your physical/digital allergy card.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say "I am allergic to peanuts" in Chinese?

我对花生过敏 (Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn). Our cards prominently display this phrase in Chinese characters alongside clear allergen icons.

Does the Chinese allergy card work in Taiwan and Hong Kong?

Yes. Our Simplified Chinese cards are understood throughout Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. We use universally understood Mandarin phrasing.

Are peanuts really a problem in Chinese restaurants?

Is the card available in Traditional Chinese?

Currently our cards use Simplified Chinese script, which is widely understood. We plan to add Traditional Chinese support soon.