r/PHFoodPorn

Dining out in the Philippines as someone who has allergies.

Hey all! I just wanted to ask how people with food allergies or intolerances handle issues when you encounter servers or restaurants who are either unaware or insensitive when it comes to food allergies.

I live abroad, but I come home for a vacation and stay here for a month or so, and I am quite surprised at
how restaurants lack the proper guidelines when it comes to allergies, restrictions, or intolerances.

I dined in a Japanese restaurant in Makati under a certain “group” and informed them of my allergies after ordering. The server who assisted us said I can eat what I have ordered for myself, including a deep-fried vegetable dish, but I overheard her manager tell her that they use the same oil for all fried dishes, including the shrimp, which I am allergic to. And instead of letting me know immediately, our server told the manager “may gamot naman” while laughing, not knowing that I heard them. Only when she saw me staring hard at her did she come back to let me know.

Another incident - in QC. I ordered the Kare-Kare, which, in the menu, says “shrimp paste on the side”. The server didn’t ask for my allergies or restrictions, but seeing that the menu clearly said it was on the side, I thought I didn’t have to worry about anything. Unfortunately, the first bite made my mouth feel funny. The second one, because I thought I was just being paranoid, made my stomach cramp and my body weak. I had to ask if they mix bagoong in the dish, and they said yes. The servers who we asked didn’t apologize. Only when we asked for a manager, who wasn’t around either, did the person-in-charge and our server say sorry. Good thing I always carry my meds with me, but my husband still had to bring me to St. Luke’s, where they had to give me an IV and a shot of something stronger because the oral medicine didn’t work.

It could’ve been worse. And to say “sorry”, “ay opo may halo po, sorry di natanong”, “may gamot naman” is not good enough. And when you’re dining somewhere where they charge for service, they better give you good service.