Navigating Korean Street Food with SIBO: Safe Eats Guide

Korean street food’s vibrant flavors can feel off-limits when managing Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), but don’t resign yourself to FOMO! With mindful strategies and technology like the mm food app, you can savor Seoul’s bustling food stalls without triggering symptoms. Here’s your practical playbook.

Why Korean Street Food Challenges SIBO

Popular dishes often feature high-FODMAP landmines:

• Garlic/onion-heavy sauces (e.g., in tteokbokki or marinades)
• Fermented ingredients (kimchi, gochujang)
• Wheat-based items (hotteok, fried coatings)
• Sugary syrups or high-lactose dairy

Your Tech Ally: How mm food App Helps

1. Instant Menu Translation: Snap a photo of any Korean menu. The app translates dishes into your language instantly—no more guessing games.
2. SIBO-Safe Filter: Input your dietary restrictions (e.g., low-FODMAP, no onions/garlic, gluten-free). Our AI scans descriptions and flags items likely safe for you.
3. Smart Customization Tips: Get real-time suggestions like requesting "no gochujang" or "grilled plain" to modify orders safely.

SIBO-Friendly Street Food Picks (& How to Order Them)

✅ Safe Bets with Tweaks:

• Gyeran-ppang (Egg Bread): Skip added sauces. Request egg-only batter.
• Odeng (Fish Cake Skewers): Choose broth-based (not spicy sauce). Avoid kimchi sides.
• Nurungji (Crispy Rice): Plain roasted rice—no seasonings or sauces.
• Fresh Fruit Cups: Stick to low-FODMAP choices like pineapple or grapes (limit portions).

⚠️ Proceed Carefully:

• Kimbap: Request custom rolls with cucumber, carrot, egg, and sesame oil (no garlic rice or pickled radish).
• Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes): Ask for minimal scallions; ensure no onion in batter.

🚫 Usually Unsafe: Kimchi pancakes, tteokbokki, hotteok, and anything labeled "spicy" or "marinated."

Pro Tips for Stress-Free Street Food Adventures

• Scan Before You Stand: Use mm food’s photo-translate feature to vet stalls' menus from afar.
• Carry "Cheat Sheets": Save in-app phrases like "NO garlic, onion, or sauce" in Korean for vendors.
• Prioritize Grilled/Fresh: Simple proteins (e.g., unmarinated chicken skewers) or fruit are safest.
• Hydrate Smart: Avoid sugary sikhye (rice drink); stick to bottled water.

Embrace the adventure guilt-free! With mm food’s AI-powered tools, you’ll navigate Myeongdong or Gwangjang markets confidently—enjoying authentic bites that keep your gut happy.