Navigating Japanese Cuisine with a Fish Allergy: A Safety Guide

Japan's culinary scene dazzles with sushi, ramen, and tempura, but for travelers with fish allergies (excluding shellfish), hidden dangers lurk in unexpected places. Dashi broth—the umami foundation of countless dishes—often contains bonito (dried fish), while fish derivatives hide in sauces like soy or ponzu. Distinguishing fish from shellfish allergies is critical yet challenging in Japan, where language barriers and culinary nuances collide.

The mm food app transforms this anxiety into confidence. Before dining, set your profile to "Fish Allergy (Shellfish OK)" and let our AI become your safeguard:

1. Translate & Scan: Photograph any Japanese menu for instant translation to your native language.
2. Allergy Analysis: Our technology cross-references dishes against 50+ ingredients, flagging hidden risks like katsuobushi (fish flakes) or fish-based broths.
3. Safe Suggestions: Receive real-time recommendations for allergy-friendly dishes. For example:
   • 🍄 Mushroom-based dishes: Shiitake tempura or sansai (mountain vegetable) hot pots.
   • 🧆 Tofu specialties: Hiyayakko (chilled tofu) or yudofu, served plain or with veggie broths.
   • 🍚 Rice bowls: Buta no katsu-don (pork cutlet) if sauce is fish-free.
   • 🍣 Shellfish options: Uni (sea urchin) or ebi (shrimp) sushi—safe if shellfish is tolerated.

Pro Tips:

• Carry printed allergy cards in Japanese specifying "Fish Allergy: No Sakana or Katsuobushi. Shellfish (Kairui) OK."
• Favor shojin ryori (Buddhist temple cuisine) or ramen shops offering vegetable-based broths.
• Double-check fried foods—shared oil is common.

With mm food, savor Japan's culture without compromise. Our app demystifies menus and prioritizes your safety, one worry-free meal at a time.