Hi all, I will be traveling to Japan for two weeks in June. My three-month-old breastfed baby just got diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA), which means I have to avoid both dairy and soy if I want to keep breastfeeding (the soy protein molecule is almost identical to the milk protein molecule and he is allergic to both).
Thoughts on whether it would even be possible to avoid soy in Japan? My understanding is that it’s a main staple in all areas of Japanese cuisine and that it’s considered rude there to ask chefs to modify dishes. Are there any food categories that are generally soy-free? For example, I could probably eat sushi without dipping in soy sauce, right? Anything else?
Looking for thoughts on whether this could be feasible, and tips on what I could eat! Thanks!
4 comments
Yes, you can avoid it quite easily by going to western restaurants. Check out family restaurants like Dennys, Gusto, Saizeriya.
Asking to modify the dish is rude, asking if a dish has soy products is not. And when they say modifications is more can I have dish A with sauce B and meat C.
Make a card with : I am allergic to Milk and soy, what do you recommend.
You can just use it in most combini’s and restaurants. It should help.
And you can eat things like rice bowls with meat, no sauce. Okonomiyaki with no suace. Egg, sandwiches, mochi, rice balls. Tempura no sauce.
Most of the sushi comes prebrushed with soy, that might prove a problematic cuisine. They tend to put it in everything, you might have to stick to ‘western’ cuisine
Most commercial soy sauce is actually wheat gluten, but you’d have to check. Tamari is definitely soy. Check out Equal Eats website to order allergy cards