What do 素食, 全素 and 蛋奶素 mean when you order?
| Term | Meaning | Ask your guest |
|---|---|---|
| 全素 or 純素 | Fully plant-based (vegan) | Is honey or other animal-derived food acceptable? |
| 蛋奶素 | Vegetarian with eggs and dairy | Any other limits? |
| 蛋素 or 奶素 | Vegetarian with eggs only, or dairy only | Which one? |
| 五辛素 | Allows onion, garlic, scallion, chives and leek | Is the person fine with 五辛? |
| 全素 without 五辛 | Plant-based and without the five pungent plants | Needed for many Buddhist guests |
In Taiwan the word 素食 covers all of these, so ask each guest which one applies and write it down.
What should you send when you order vegetarian boxes?
- The number of boxes for each type, for example 6 蛋奶素 and 2 全素 without 五辛.
- The date, the food-ready time and the address.
- Whether boxes should carry a name or a diet label.
- Any allergy, named as an exact ingredient, such as peanut or sesame.
What can the team arrange for vegetarian boxes?
- Vegetarian dishes such as steamed veggie buns and the avocado citrus salad are labelled vegetarian on our program menu.
- For each box, the team checks the dishes with the supplying kitchen, including sauces and stock, and tells you what can and cannot be prepared.
- Vegetarian boxes can be marked, packed apart from meat boxes and counted separately.
- Anything the kitchen cannot confirm is said plainly in the quote.
How do you plan a mixed order with some vegetarians?
- Order vegetarian boxes for the vegetarians, with one or two spare.
- Include a vegetarian main, not only sides.
- Ask for noodle or rice dishes that are good at room temperature.
- For a buffet, ask for dishes to be labelled and the vegetarian dishes placed first in the line.
Are vegetarian boxes safe for allergies?
A vegetarian label is not an allergy promise. Cooking shares equipment and oil, so cross-contact can happen. For a serious allergy, name the ingredient and severity and the team will tell you what the kitchen can and cannot control.