I've not been to Shanghai, but I've been to Singapore many times. I have an allergy to MSG and I've been able to avoid it effectively. In Singapore almost everyone speaks English and many menus say "We do not use MSG." I think your plan to have your hotel in Shanghai write it out for you will be helpful. I'm sure others have experience in Shanghai with this and can give you more suggestions.

They can write it for you but I would not holdout much hope that most restaurants will leave it out, in Shanghai. I have not seen it added to the xlb (soup dumplings, often prepared in open kitchens), however, but who really knows.. It is commonly added to stir fries and dishes with sauces. According to Fuchsia Dunlop, it is near universal in Chinese cooking in China.


It might help to know that it commonly referred to in Asia as Ajinomoto. I've seen heaps of it in almost every Asian market I've visited.

More on the subject from Ms. Dunlop:



http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/opinion/18dunlop.html?_r=2&scp=7&sq=fuchsia%20dunlop&st=cse

..and more, in this interestingly titled piece:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2005/jul/10/foodanddrink.features3

Wow, thanks for your quick responses!

Kathie, I'm glad Singapore won't be too much of a challenge and it's good to hear you've avoided it there successfully.

That is an interesting article, ekscrunchy! Thanks also for giving me the other name it goes by. I don't have a severe reaction, or haven't in the past, so maybe I'll just have the hotel write the note and hope for the best! By the way, I have been enjoying your recent trip report!

The second article was also very interesting, ekscrunchy. I knew it was in a lot of processed foods and that I've eaten those with no ill effect, but had no idea it was naturally occurring in other foods.

Thanks so much again for your help!

I also have a msg allergy so i undestand your concern. The chinese of 'please do not use monosodium glutamate' is '不要使用味精'. Hope this helps.

Thank you, mohan! I'll print that out!

your best bet is to eat Malay food that uses quite fair bit of spices and the same with Indian food, as most chinese food are packed with MSG unless you are invited to a chinese home cooked meal.
with one exception, Soup Asia Broth's food is all natural. NO MSG for sure as I am allergic to them as well.

MSG is in almost everything in the US they have now disguised it using various names. For info on that see http://www.truthinlabeling.org it is known to cause many allergies, obesity, cancer and many other diseases...wonder what our countries people will be like in 20 years everyone will have some kind of sickness in order to keep the health care going and Monsanto!!!! Also beware of Genetically modified/engineered foods and High fructose corn syrup....those will also cause health problems!