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Phrases to specify spice level and dietary restrictions

Taste of China: A Guide to Ordering Food & Drinks in Chinese Restaurants: Phrases to specify spice level and dietary restrictions
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Here are useful phrases to specify spice levels and dietary restrictions when ordering food:

Phrases to Specify Spice Levels

  • No spice / Not spicy: “Mai Pet” (Thai: ไม่เผ็ด), “Not spicy”
  • Mild spice: “A little spicy,” “Pèt nít nòi” (Thai: เผ็ดนิดหน่อย)
  • Moderate spice: “Moderately spicy,” “Pèt bpaan glaang” (Thai: เผ็ดปานกลาง)
  • Very spicy: “Very spicy,” “Pèt mak mak” (เผ็ดมากๆ in Thai)
  • Super spicy: “Super spicy,” “Pèt sut sut” (เผ็ดสุดๆ in Thai)
  • To ask for authentic or real spicy heat in cuisines like Indian, Thai, or others, phrases like “Indian spicy,” “Thai spicy,” or “Genuine Thai heat” help specify traditional levels of heat more clearly than just “spicy”. 1, 2, 3, 5

Phrases for Dietary Restrictions

  • To inquire about ingredients or allergens, ask:
    • “Does this have [ingredient] in it?” for example, “Does this have peanuts?” [Japanese: これにピーナッツが入っていますか?]
  • To inform or request for dietary accommodations:
    • “Please select other if you have any dietary restrictions.”
    • “Please contact us at [contact info] to follow up.”
    • “Can I have this without [ingredient]?” (e.g., “without onions”). 7, 8
  • Common dietary terms include vegetarian, pescetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc., which can be added to specify your needs. [9]

These phrases can be adapted based on the cuisine and language of the region to clearly communicate spice preferences and dietary restrictions when ordering food in restaurants or catering contexts.

References

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