Dietary Restriction Guide Japan
食事制限カード — For Indian workers: generate a Japanese card to show at restaurants, work cafeterias, and hospitals.
Step 1: Choose Your Dietary Restriction
Select the option that matches your needs. You will get a printable Japanese card to show at any restaurant or workplace.
Common Hidden Non-Veg Ingredients in Japan
Select your diet type above to filter this list. Japanese food often contains hidden animal-derived ingredients.
| Ingredient | Japanese | Commonly Found In |
|---|---|---|
| Dashi (fish stock) | だし・かつおだし | Miso soup base, ramen broth, udon soup, most Japanese stocks |
| Bonito flakes (katsuobushi) | かつおぶし | Tofu toppings, okonomiyaki garnish, stock packets |
| Mirin (sweet cooking sake) | みりん | Teriyaki sauce, sukiyaki, most sweet-savory sauces |
| Cooking sake (ryorishu) | 料理酒・清酒 | Nearly all Japanese cooked dishes |
| Pork lard or pork fat | ラード・豚脂 | Ramen soups, fried rice at some restaurants, bread dough |
| Gelatin (from pork/beef) | ゼラチン（動物性） | Jelly desserts, pudding, yogurt, some breads |
| Onion and garlic | たまねぎ・ニンニク | Curry, ramen, stir-fry — almost everywhere |
| Potato and carrot (root vegetables) | じゃがいも・にんじん | Curry, stew, oden, miso soup, bento sides |
| Beef broth or tallow | 牛エキス・牛脂 | Gyudon (beef bowl), sukiyaki, some soups and instant noodles |
| Oyster sauce | オイスターソース | Stir-fry dishes, Chinese-style Japanese food |
| Chicken or pork extract (in chips/snacks) | チキンエキス・ポークエキス | Japanese potato chips, instant noodles, seasoning packets |
| Lard in gyoza wrappers | ラード入り餃子の皮 | Some gyoza (dumplings) at restaurants |
Generally Safe Options at Japanese Restaurants
Usually Safe ✓
- • Plain steamed rice (白ご飯)
- • Edamame (枝豆)
- • Zaru soba / zaru udon (cold, no dashi broth)
- • Tofu dishes without dashi sauce
- • Vegetable tempura (ask about batter oil)
- • Natto (納豆) — fermented soybeans
- • Fruit parfait / fresh fruit
- • Korean-style bibimbap at some places
Usually Contains Animal Products ✗
- • Miso soup (most have fish dashi)
- • Ramen broth (tonkotsu/shoyu/miso)
- • Gyoza (often pork + pork lard wrapper)
- • Curry at Japanese curry shops
- • Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)
- • Most bento box side dishes
- • Okonomiyaki (bonito flakes + mayo)
Tips for SSW Workers at Company Cafeterias
Show your card on Day 1
Give a copy of your dietary card to the cafeteria manager before your first week. Many companies can pre-arrange an alternative.
Ask HR to mediate
SSW employers are legally required to support daily living needs (日常生活支援). Ask your 支援担当者 (support coordinator) to speak with the cafeteria.
Bring your own lunch (お弁当) as backup
On days when the cafeteria cannot accommodate you, a packed rice-and-vegetable bento ensures you always have a safe option.
Learn key ingredient words in Japanese
肉 (meat), 豚 (pork), 牛 (beef), 鶏 (chicken), 魚 (fish), たまご (egg), 牛乳 (milk), ラード (lard), アルコール (alcohol). Reading labels becomes much easier.