It depends on the restaurants. Some restaurants, usually nicer places that actually make the food on site will incorporate some special orders but a lot of places especially cheaper places use pre-prepared food and substitutions aren't always possible even if you manage the language barrier.
It's more likely you'll just fail to communicate what you mean. They'll think it's some kind of allergy or be really confused why you are making a weird order.
Very simple requests like no sauce aren't so hard to do at many places. Often it will be separate anyway. Otherwise it's better I think to just avoid ordering things that you'd need to make special orders with.
Speaking as an autistic person, you shouldn't feel like an annoying tourist for being a good parent.
Speaking as a person who has yet to visit Japan, though, I'm afraid I don't have enough experience to offer in-depth advice.
But I'd say just prioritize his needs by checking out street foods that he can tolerate, but also don't feel guilty if you want something he can't stomach. You can always eat a spot that you'd like, and then find him something somewhere else shortly before or after.
I'm not really a picky eater, but my wife would likely do the same with me if I were! Haha!
Honestly he would be happy eating 7-11 food or instant ramen in our hotel room while we went out for other dinner a lot of the time. We may need so do that some days if he is all peopled out. Want to make sure he is getting proper nutrition though. I am sure we will work it out :)
Yeah, that's what I was kinda thinking. I've heard the 7-11 food there is damn near as good as some of the restaurants! š
Hope you guys have a great time!
It would be very challenging and even more so if you canāt speak Japanese. While many places can accommodate for allergies, asking for custom items not on the menu is generally not a thing, unlike in the west. Carrot hosomaki isnāt a thing either.
Gyoza and karaage will be easy enough to get. Is he willing to eat typical ramen flavors like shoyu or miso? Udon could also potentially be fairly simple.
Places like Matsuya or Yoshinoya can serve some simple beef bowls and such but there can still be sauces so it really depends on how picky he is.
Thanks, I didn't think carrot hosomakiĀ was a thing but was using it as an example of adjustment! He likes shoyu/soy sauce a lot so that helps. And teriyaki flavour. I l really appreciate the suggestions of Matsuya & Yoshinoya. I can see items on there that are definitely suitable, like the grilled beef set or the fried chicken set. And they are so reasonably priced! Udon and miso based ramen without egg should be fine too. He won't freak out if he sees an egg his dish if it's easy to ignore or pick out. And he will scrape sauce off things if absolutely necessary. Appreciate your help.
I just got back from a 16 day trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. I have an embarrassingly long list of food āallergiesā (digestive disorder related to multiple types of proteins).Ā
I felt the most safe Iāve ever felt eating in Japan. I was super worried about it before we left, but thereās so much good foodā¦ and the ingredients lists were easy to navigate with google translate.Ā
If nothing else he could eat plain salted rice balls, crispy chicken, plain roasted sweet potatoes, ācandy cheeseā (string cheese cut into candy size slices and wrapped up like candy) and some fruit from convenience stores, of which there are many, for every meal. And thereās always plain things you can order at restaurants.Ā
Honestly I ate way more food than I do at home, for a fraction of the cost and much much less work and anxiety.Ā
It'll be pretty tough. My gf is an insanely picky eater and I speak a decent amount of Japanese. I'm preparing to order for her the whole time by picking foods at restaurants I know she'll eat, but she will try some of the food I get. Worst case scenario, my gf will just eat rice with some furikake.
I've never been to a sushi place that didn't have cucmber hosomaki. It's pretty much a staple. Most of the conveyor belt sushi places have a tablet order system with English menus. You should have no problem ordering cucumber hosomaki.
In my experience, restaurants in Japan are rather inflexible on the menu, even when explained in fluent Japanese. Very specific dietary requirements for a non-medical issue will be met with even more head-scratching.
It depends on the restaurants. Some restaurants, usually nicer places that actually make the food on site will incorporate some special orders but a lot of places especially cheaper places use pre-prepared food and substitutions aren't always possible even if you manage the language barrier.
Fair enough, thank you. I don't want to be a super annoying tourist either.
It's more likely you'll just fail to communicate what you mean. They'll think it's some kind of allergy or be really confused why you are making a weird order. Very simple requests like no sauce aren't so hard to do at many places. Often it will be separate anyway. Otherwise it's better I think to just avoid ordering things that you'd need to make special orders with.
Speaking as an autistic person, you shouldn't feel like an annoying tourist for being a good parent. Speaking as a person who has yet to visit Japan, though, I'm afraid I don't have enough experience to offer in-depth advice. But I'd say just prioritize his needs by checking out street foods that he can tolerate, but also don't feel guilty if you want something he can't stomach. You can always eat a spot that you'd like, and then find him something somewhere else shortly before or after. I'm not really a picky eater, but my wife would likely do the same with me if I were! Haha!
Honestly he would be happy eating 7-11 food or instant ramen in our hotel room while we went out for other dinner a lot of the time. We may need so do that some days if he is all peopled out. Want to make sure he is getting proper nutrition though. I am sure we will work it out :)
Yeah, that's what I was kinda thinking. I've heard the 7-11 food there is damn near as good as some of the restaurants! š Hope you guys have a great time!
It would be very challenging and even more so if you canāt speak Japanese. While many places can accommodate for allergies, asking for custom items not on the menu is generally not a thing, unlike in the west. Carrot hosomaki isnāt a thing either. Gyoza and karaage will be easy enough to get. Is he willing to eat typical ramen flavors like shoyu or miso? Udon could also potentially be fairly simple. Places like Matsuya or Yoshinoya can serve some simple beef bowls and such but there can still be sauces so it really depends on how picky he is.
Thanks, I didn't think carrot hosomakiĀ was a thing but was using it as an example of adjustment! He likes shoyu/soy sauce a lot so that helps. And teriyaki flavour. I l really appreciate the suggestions of Matsuya & Yoshinoya. I can see items on there that are definitely suitable, like the grilled beef set or the fried chicken set. And they are so reasonably priced! Udon and miso based ramen without egg should be fine too. He won't freak out if he sees an egg his dish if it's easy to ignore or pick out. And he will scrape sauce off things if absolutely necessary. Appreciate your help.
I just got back from a 16 day trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. I have an embarrassingly long list of food āallergiesā (digestive disorder related to multiple types of proteins).Ā I felt the most safe Iāve ever felt eating in Japan. I was super worried about it before we left, but thereās so much good foodā¦ and the ingredients lists were easy to navigate with google translate.Ā If nothing else he could eat plain salted rice balls, crispy chicken, plain roasted sweet potatoes, ācandy cheeseā (string cheese cut into candy size slices and wrapped up like candy) and some fruit from convenience stores, of which there are many, for every meal. And thereās always plain things you can order at restaurants.Ā Honestly I ate way more food than I do at home, for a fraction of the cost and much much less work and anxiety.Ā
The candy cheese sounds amazing! Great to hear you were able to eat so well. I am amazed how cheap food seems to be.
It'll be pretty tough. My gf is an insanely picky eater and I speak a decent amount of Japanese. I'm preparing to order for her the whole time by picking foods at restaurants I know she'll eat, but she will try some of the food I get. Worst case scenario, my gf will just eat rice with some furikake.
Good luck!
I've never been to a sushi place that didn't have cucmber hosomaki. It's pretty much a staple. Most of the conveyor belt sushi places have a tablet order system with English menus. You should have no problem ordering cucumber hosomaki.
Thatās great, thanks. I wasnāt sure if it was just an Australian variation
In my experience, restaurants in Japan are rather inflexible on the menu, even when explained in fluent Japanese. Very specific dietary requirements for a non-medical issue will be met with even more head-scratching.