If you have spotted the code ORML while looking at airline special meal options, you may be wondering what it means and what type of food you can expect on your flight.
ORML stands for Oriental Meal. It is an airline meal code used by some airlines and catering systems for a meal prepared in an East Asian or Chinese-inspired style.
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However, ORML is less commonly offered than many of the standard special meal options you might recognise, and the exact ingredients can vary considerably. It is also important not to confuse ORML with VOML, as an Oriental Meal is not necessarily vegetarian.
What Is an ORML Airline Meal?
An ORML is an Oriental Meal, typically referring to a meal prepared using flavours, ingredients and cooking styles associated with East Asian cuisine.
Depending on the airline and catering provider, an ORML could potentially include:
- Rice or noodles
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Chicken, beef, pork or fish
- Soy-based sauces
- Asian-style seasonings
- Cooked vegetables
- An Asian-inspired main dish
There is no single menu that applies to every ORML. The food you receive will depend on the airline, your departure airport and the catering company preparing the meals.
ORML is also not among the core standard special meal codes listed in some current airline meal-code references, so availability can be particularly limited. You should always check directly with your airline before relying on this option.
Is an ORML Vegetarian?
No. You should not assume that an ORML is vegetarian. An Oriental Meal may contain meat, poultry or fish, depending on how the airline defines and prepares the meal.
This is where the similar meal codes ORML and VOML can become confusing.
ORML stands for Oriental Meal. This is an Oriental or East Asian-style meal and may contain animal products.
VOML stands for Vegetarian Oriental Meal. This is specifically a vegetarian meal prepared in an Oriental or East Asian style.
If you are vegetarian or vegan, the airline VOML meal may therefore be the more appropriate code where it is available. However, you should still check the airline’s own description of the meal before ordering, particularly if you avoid specific ingredients.
Is an ORML Meal Vegan?
Not necessarily. Because an ORML special meal is not specifically designed for vegan passengers, it could contain meat, fish, dairy, eggs or other animal-derived ingredients.
If you require a vegan meal, look for the airline’s designated vegan meal option. The most commonly used code is the VGML meal code, although terminology and availability can vary between airlines. You may also see the VVML code in reference to a vegan airline meal.
Is an ORML Suitable for Food Allergies?
An ORML should not automatically be considered suitable for passengers with food allergies.
Depending on the recipe, an Oriental-style airline meal could contain or come into contact with common allergens such as:
- Soy
- Wheat or gluten
- Sesame
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Eggs
- Milk
Sauces can be particularly difficult to assess because ingredients such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce and other seasonings may contain allergens that are not immediately obvious.
If you have a food allergy, contact your airline before travelling to discuss its allergy policies and available meal options. Airlines may also be unable to guarantee an allergen-free environment due to the way meals are prepared and served. If you are travelling with an allergy, I have some guides which may help you plan your next trip: travelling with allergies, what are Equal Eats cards, free allergy translation cards, flying with an EpiPen and flying with medical luggage.
Is ORML a Religious Meal?
No. An ORML is not specifically designed to meet religious dietary requirements. You should not assume that an Oriental Meal is halal, kosher, Hindu-compliant or suitable for another religious diet unless the airline specifically confirms this.
For passengers following religious dietary requirements, other meal codes may be more appropriate, such as:
- MOML – Muslim Meal (learn more about the MOML Muslim meal)
- KSML – Kosher Meal (learn more about the KSML Kosher meal)
- HNML – Hindu Meal (learn more about the HNML Hindu meal)
Always check the airline’s definition of its special meals, as ingredients and preparation standards can differ.
Who Might Choose an ORML?
An ORML may appeal to passengers who prefer East Asian or Chinese-inspired food and would rather have a meal based around ingredients such as rice, noodles and cooked vegetables than a more typical Western-style airline meal.
However, ORML is not a dietary meal in the same way as options designed specifically for vegan, vegetarian, medical or religious requirements.
If you simply prefer this style of food, it could be worth considering where offered. If you have specific dietary requirements, another special meal code is likely to be more appropriate.
How Do I Order an ORML Meal on a Flight?
If your airline offers an ORML, you may be able to request it when booking your flight or through the manage booking section of the airline’s website or app.
You may also be able to request a special meal by contacting the airline directly.
Special meals generally need to be ordered in advance, and deadlines vary between airlines. Some airlines require requests at least 24 or 48 hours before departure, while others have different cut-off times.
Because ORML is not widely offered, you may find that it does not appear in your airline’s special meal selection at all.
What If My Airline Doesn’t Offer ORML?
If ORML is unavailable, check the airline’s standard menu and other special meal choices.
If you are specifically looking for an East Asian-style vegetarian meal, look for VOML – Vegetarian Oriental Meal. Alternatively, the airline may offer Asian-inspired dishes as part of its regular onboard menu, particularly when flying to or from destinations in East and Southeast Asia.
If you are planning to visit Asia with kids, I have a guide that breaks down travelling to Asia with autistic children and focuses on all of the countries we have visited in Asia so far with detailed guides for each country.
ORML vs VOML: Don’t Mix Them Up
ORML and VOML sound very similar, but they should not be treated as interchangeable.
The simplest way to remember the difference is:
ORML = Oriental Meal
VOML = Vegetarian Oriental Meal
If you are vegetarian, vegan or avoiding a particular animal product, always check the full meal description rather than relying on the word “Oriental” alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About ORML Airline Meals
What does ORML stand for on a flight?
ORML stands for Oriental Meal. It generally refers to an airline meal prepared in an East Asian or Chinese-inspired style.
Is an ORML vegetarian?
Not necessarily. An ORML may contain meat, poultry or fish. If you want a vegetarian Oriental-style meal, look for the VOML meal code instead.
What is the difference between ORML and VOML?
ORML means Oriental Meal, while VOML means Vegetarian Oriental Meal. The key difference is that VOML is specifically vegetarian, whereas ORML may contain animal products.
Is an ORML vegan?
No. An ORML is not specifically a vegan meal and could contain meat, fish, eggs, dairy or other animal-derived ingredients.
Do all airlines offer the ORML?
No. The ORML is not a widely available special meal option, and many airlines do not list it among their bookable special meals.
Can I request an ORML after booking my flight?
If your airline offers the ORML, you may be able to add it through your booking or by contacting the airline. Make sure you do this before the airline’s special meal request deadline.
The airline meal code ORML means Oriental Meal and is used by some airlines or catering systems for meals prepared in an East Asian or Chinese-inspired style. The most important thing to remember is that ORML does not mean vegetarian. An Oriental Meal could contain chicken, beef, pork, fish or other animal products depending on the airline and caterer.
If you are looking for a vegetarian East Asian-style meal, check whether your airline offers VOML – Vegetarian Oriental Meal instead.
As ORML is less widely used than many other airline meal codes, always check directly with your airline to confirm whether the meal is available and exactly what its version of an ORML is intended to contain.
Resources for Families Travelling to Asia
Planning a family trip to Asia? Explore our guides to help make travelling with children easier, from family-friendly destinations and accessible transport to airport assistance, food, attractions and practical travel tips. Whether you’re visiting Japan, Thailand, China, Hong Kong or elsewhere in Asia, these resources can help you prepare for a smoother family adventure.
- Start with my guide to travelling to Asia with kids, where you will find links out to a guide for each country we have visited in Asia
- Follow along with @asiafamilytraveller and @familytravellerasia on Instagram for all things family travel in Asia
Continue Learning About Airline Meal Codes
Airline meal codes can be confusing, particularly when several codes have very similar names. My complete guide to airline meal codes explains the different special meals you may encounter when booking a flight, including vegetarian, vegan, religious, medical and child-friendly meal options.
You can also read my individual meal code guides to help you understand exactly what each code means before requesting your special meal.
Take a look at my complete guide to airline meal codes to learn what the different codes mean and help you work out which meal may be most appropriate for your next flight.
- Airline meal codes and what they mean
- Should I order a baby or childs meal?
- What does VVML mean?
- What does SFML mean?
- What does CLML mean?
- What does AVML mean?
- What does BLML mean?
- What does LFML mean?
Continue Planning Your Trip With an Allergy
- Start at the beginning – learn about travelling with an allergy from my main guide
- Learn about airline meal codes and what they stand for so you can be sure your meal is allergen free
- Find out what is in my babies allergy travel bag so you can save yourself the headache of packing without a list
- Explore what it means to fly with medical luggage as an allergy travellers
- Download and print some free allergy translation cards before your trip
- Find out what Equal Eats allergy translation cards are and how to use them to travel safer
- Learn why it is important to learn important phrases related to your allergy before you travel and downloaed the free accessible travel translations eBook
- Figure out what to include on a doctors travel letter for medication so you can get it right the first time
- Find out more about flying with EpiPens so you can travel with confidence
Continue Planning Your Accessible Travels Using My Guides
You can click on each image to go directly to the guide for that topic.
