Quick answer: Peanuts and tree nuts appear in sauces, garnishes, pastes and street-food cooking across Southeast Asia, and the language changes at almost every border. Carry a card in the local language for each country, show it before you order, and ask about sauces and cooking oil as well as the main dish. One six-language bundle covers the classic backpacker route.
Six countries at a glance
| Country | Language | Items to watch | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Thai | Pad Thai, som tam, satay, massaman, chicken with cashew nuts, curry pastes and sauces | Thailand guide |
| Vietnam | Vietnamese | Street food, dipping sauces, shared cooking surfaces | Vietnam guide |
| Bali, Indonesia | Indonesian | Peanut sauce, gado-gado, satay, kemiri (candlenut) | Bali guide |
| Cambodia | Khmer | Nom banh chok sauce, peanut snacks and garnishes | Section below |
| Laos | Lao | Papaya salad, which some places make with peanuts | Section below |
| Philippines | Filipino | Kare-kare (peanut stew), desserts | Section below |
Get the Southeast Asia six-language bundle – £14.99
Thailand
Peanuts and cashews are widely used. Pad Thai, som tam (papaya salad), satay, massaman curry and chicken with cashew nuts are the best-known examples, and curry pastes, sauces and condiment stations are worth asking about. Busy street-food woks are often shared, and peanut oil may be used for frying.
Read the full Thailand guide or get the Thai card on its own.
Vietnam
Street food is a highlight of Vietnam and also where cross-contact is hardest to control: small stalls, shared utensils and sauces made in advance. Labelling rules for packaged food cover peanuts and tree nuts, but they do not help with food prepared in front of you, so tell the cook clearly.
Read the full Vietnam guide or get the Vietnamese card on its own.
Bali and Indonesia
Peanut sauce is central to Indonesian food, in gado-gado, satay and many snacks. Kemiri (candlenut) thickens sauces and spice pastes, so a dish with no visible nuts can still contain them. The word kacang can mean peanut, bean or nut depending on context, so a written card is more reliable than a spoken word.
Read the full Bali guide or get the Indonesian card on its own.
Cambodia
Cambodian food is often milder in its use of nuts than Thai or Indonesian food, but peanuts do appear. Nom banh chok, the Khmer rice-noodle dish commonly eaten at breakfast, is described by some sources as served with a sweet sauce made from palm sugar and peanuts. Roasted peanuts are also a common snack and salad topping across the region. Because we have fewer specific sources for Cambodia, treat this as a starting point: show the card, ask about every sauce, and avoid dishes where you cannot find out what is in them.
Get the Khmer card on its own.
Laos
Lao papaya salad (tam mak hoong) is one to ask about: some places add peanuts and some do not, so you cannot tell from the name. Food in Laos is often prepared at small stalls and family restaurants where the cook can respond directly to a clear card, which works in your favour. As with Cambodia, we have fewer detailed sources here, so ask about sauces, dips and toppings rather than assuming a dish is safe.
Get the Lao card on its own.
The Philippines
Kare-kare, a Filipino oxtail and vegetable stew in a peanut-based sauce, is the obvious dish to avoid. Desserts, snacks and sweets are also worth checking, as nuts are used in a range of them. English is widely spoken in much of the Philippines, which helps, but a card removes any doubt about what you mean by nuts in a busy kitchen.
Get the Filipino card on its own.
The bundle: six cards, one download
The Southeast Asia Backpacker Bundle includes Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao and Filipino cards, each in English and the local language. Bought separately they come to £30; the bundle is £14.99. Only visiting Thailand, Vietnam and Bali? The three-country bundle is £9.99.
View the six-language bundle – £14.99
Backpacker tips
- Save every card on your phone so it works offline on buses, boats and in areas with poor signal, and keep printed copies in your day bag.
- Hostel kitchens and street stalls share utensils and oil, so ask about cross-contact as well as ingredients.
- Carry prescribed medication, including adrenaline auto-injectors if you have them, in hand luggage with a doctor's letter, and protect it from heat with an insulated medical bag.
- Check that your travel insurance covers your allergy, and note the nearest hospital in each place before you head to remote areas.
Emergency numbers
- Thailand: ambulance 1669, police 191, Tourist Police 1155
- Indonesia (Bali): ambulance 118 or 119, general emergency 112, police 110
- Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines: check the current emergency numbers with your accommodation or insurer when you arrive in each country.
Other allergies
Milk, gluten and egg cards are available separately in some of these languages: Thai (milk, gluten), Vietnamese (milk, gluten) and Indonesian (milk, coeliac, egg). Browse every language.
FAQ
Do I need a card for each country?
Yes, because each country uses a different language. The six-language bundle covers Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines.
Is the bundle cheaper than buying the cards separately?
Yes. The six cards cost £30 separately, or £14.99 as the bundle.
Does a card make a meal safe?
No. A card helps you explain your allergy clearly, but it cannot guarantee that a dish or kitchen is safe. If you are unsure, choose something else.
Disclaimer
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Food ingredients and local practices change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or allergy specialist and carry your prescribed emergency medication.
Last updated: 27 October 2026