Travelling with a Sesame Allergy
Sesame seeds and sesame oil are not as prevalent in Indonesian cuisine as they are in other Asian cuisines, such as Chinese or Japanese. However, they do occasionally feature in Indonesian dishes, particularly in certain regional specialties or more unique recipes.
Be careful to watch out for the following foods when eating in Bali:
Popular Indonesian Cooking: Onde Onde (Sesame Balls), Bakpia (Traditional Snacks from Central Java), Semar Mendem (Javanese Desserts), Fried Bakso (Bakso goreng), Indonesian - Chinese Inspired dishes like stir-fry vegetables and fried rice, Chili oil, Dumpling (Pangsit).
Ingredients found in other types of cuisines: Bagels, bread, butter, chutney, crackers, dressings, dips, hummus, marinades, sauces, soups, tahini, toast
Warning: Foods mentioned are examples only and does not represent a comprehensive list. Always check allergens in food.
See where to eat safely with a Sesame Allergy:
Ingredients as written in English: Benne, Benne seed, Gingelly, Gingelly oil, Sesame oil, Sesame seeds
Ingredients as written in Indonesian: Benne, Biji Benne, Gingelly, Minyak Gingelly, Minyak wijen, Biji wijen
Find food in Bali which does not contain Sesame:
*Lists of ingredients extracted from Erudus.
Communicating your Sesame allergy
Here are some useful phrases to help you to communicate your Sesame allergy to hospitality staff in Bali:
I have a severe allergy to Sesame and all foods containing Sesame.
"Saya memiliki alergi parah terhadap Biji Wijen dan semua makanan yang mengandung Biji Wijen."
I must avoid eating Sesame to prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction.
"Saya harus menghindari makan Biji Wijen untuk mencegah reaksi alergi yang mengancam jiwa."
Please make sure that my meal does not contain any Sesame.
"Harap pastikan bahwa makanan saya tidak mengandung Biji Wijen."
Proven to successfully convey your Sesame allergies in Bali
Download these cards for free right now to save to your phone - or print out - to show hospitality staff when dining out in Bali.
^You will be added to our mailing list.
Opt out any time.
Adventure Awaits
1. How to prepare before travelling
2. How to communicate your allergies
3. Allergy travel checklist
4. Handling emergencies
Including 14x most common food allergies:
Celery, Cereals, Crustaceans, Eggs, Fish, Lupin, Milk, Molluscs, Mustard, Peanuts, Sesame, Soybeans, Sulphur dioxide, Tree nuts
We have partnered with dozens of allergy safe establishments in Bali to provide you with safe and reliable dining out experiences, whilst saving money off of your bill. Enjoy your vacation!
Plan Ahead
> Emergency phone numbers
> Main Hospital Map
> Hospital Contact Details
Say Hi
Brought to you by a British expat, policing a serious nut allergy, and his Indonesian wife who have lived in Bali for the past 5 years.
