Ask early, ask specifically
Most dietary problems at events start with a vague question asked too late. Ask with the registration or RSVP, not on the day, and ask for specifics: which type of vegetarian diet, which foods are avoided, which exact ingredient causes an allergy and how severe it is. Our printable dietary needs form has the questions ready to copy into a sign-up form.
Vegetarian and vegan in Taiwan
- 全素 or 純素: fully plant-based, the same as vegan.
- 蛋素: vegetarian with eggs. 奶素: vegetarian with dairy. 蛋奶素: vegetarian with both.
- No 五辛: many vegetarians in Taiwan avoid onion, garlic, scallion, chives and leek. 五辛素 allows them.
- Pescatarian, no beef and no pork are common too. Ask, rather than assume.
Religious diets
Halal and kosher food require certified suppliers and handling, not only avoiding pork. If guests need certified food, tell the caterer at the start and ask directly whether it can be arranged; if it cannot, the guest can decide whether a vegetarian meal, a meal from a certified restaurant or bringing their own food is best. Some guests avoid only pork or beef; record that separately from certification needs.
Gluten and allergies
Allergies are different from preferences, and a menu label is not a guarantee. Restaurant kitchens handle many ingredients and share equipment, so cross-contact can happen. Pass the exact ingredient and the severity to the caterer, and expect a clear answer about what the kitchen can and cannot control. Common allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, eggs, milk, soy, wheat and sesame. For coeliac disease or severe allergies, a sealed meal from a specialist supplier, or the guest bringing their own, can be the safest choice.
How we handle it at Taipei Catering
- You send counts and specifics with the request.
- Our team checks each relevant dish with the supplying kitchen.
- The proposal says what can be prepared, how it is marked, and anything the kitchen cannot confirm.
- Anything uncertain is escalated to a person on our team. The AI assistant on this site never confirms allergen safety.
On the day
- Keep special meals apart and labelled with the guest's name or the diet.
- Put vegetarian dishes first on the buffet line or in their own area.
- Tell the person hosting which dishes contain common allergens, if the caterer has listed them.
- If a guest asks about an ingredient and nobody knows, say so. Do not guess.