Korean Allergy Card
printable translation card in Korean

Does kimchi have shrimp, seafood, or peanuts?

Many kimchi recipes use seafood seasoning in the brine, including saeujeot (salted shrimp), a shellfish allergen, or myeolchi-jeot (fermented anchovy), a fish allergen. The exact seasoning varies by product, restaurant, region, and batch, so ask what the specific kimchi contains rather than relying on its name or appearance.

Peanuts and tree nuts are not standard kimchi ingredients, but an individual recipe can still vary. Read the current package label or ask the kitchen about the exact recipe rather than treating a general cuisine pattern as an answer.

The Korean terms to carry in writing are 새우젓 (saeujeot, salted shrimp) and 땅콩 (ttangkong, peanut). If seafood seasoning is a hard no, ask whether the specific kimchi contains saeujeot, myeolchi-jeot, fish sauce, or another seafood ingredient; do not assume a substitute version is available.

Does gochujang have shellfish or soy?

Gochujang is not ordinarily a seafood paste. Its ingredients vary by brand and recipe, so check the specific paste or restaurant sauce for soy and wheat rather than assuming every version has the same formula. Gochujang is used in sauces for dishes such as tteokbokki and bibimbap, which makes that check relevant beyond the paste itself.

A restaurant's gochujang-based sauce can differ from the bottled paste. Ask separately whether the finished sauce includes seafood stock, anchovy, or other additions; a dish containing gochujang is not automatically free of fish or shellfish.

What to ask at Korean BBQ and about banchan

If pork is compatible with your own restrictions, an unmarinated cut can be simpler to assess than a marinated one. It still needs confirmation, along with everything that arrives without being asked for:

Ask for an unmarinated cut only if it fits your own restrictions, a clean grill plate and utensils, and an explanation of each side and sauce. Hand over a written Korean-language card rather than relying on a verbal request in a busy restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does kimchi have shrimp?

Many kimchi recipes use seafood seasoning, such as saeujeot (salted shrimp) or myeolchi-jeot (fermented anchovy), so kimchi may be unsuitable for a shellfish or fish allergy. Recipes vary by product, restaurant, and batch. Ask specifically: Kimchi-e saeujeot deureo innayo? — Does the kimchi contain salted shrimp? The Korean term to carry in writing is 새우젓 (saeujeot).

Does kimchi have seafood?

Many recipes use seafood seasoning, including saeujeot (salted shrimp) or myeolchi-jeot (fermented anchovy), but the exact ingredients depend on the product or kitchen. Read the current packaged-food label; at a restaurant, ask directly about seafood seasoning and preparation. Do not assume that a vegan or seafood-free version is available.

Does kimchi have peanuts?

Peanuts and tree nuts are not standard kimchi ingredients, but a particular product or kitchen recipe can vary. Read the current label or ask about the exact recipe. The Korean word for peanut is 땅콩 (ttangkong); carry it in writing on a card rather than relying on a spoken request.

Does gochujang have shellfish?

Gochujang itself is not ordinarily a seafood paste, but ingredients vary by brand and recipe. Check the specific paste or restaurant sauce for soy and wheat, and ask separately whether the finished sauce includes seafood stock, anchovy, or other additions. A dish containing gochujang is not automatically free of fish or shellfish.

What do you get with the Korean allergy card?

A printable PDF with a cut-out card, plus an image sized for your phone, with every allergen you select written in Korean and English. Because the fermented pastes and side dishes are where shellfish and soy hide, the card names the allergen itself rather than a dish. Cards with up to three allergens can also be added to Apple or Google Wallet.