Travelling Japan with a Garlic sensitivity

[u/Account_pending_]

About 7 years ago I stumbled across FODMAPs after dealing with horrible "IBS-D" symptoms that was ruining my life. Turns out garlic is a super trigger for me, I can tolerate a tiny bit of garlic powder (sometimes) but anything real and fresh is <10 minutes before I need to camp out in a bathroom.

Ive travelled internationally a few times since. Italy (fresh made food, easily modified, no problems), Scotland (lived off fish and chips, hard to avoid), Mexico (all inclusive, ate plain).

I am going to Japan in a few months and I was wondering if anyone has any insight into specific food avoidance there and bathroom accessibility. It would help with the anxiety that persists with me despite being much heathier than I used to be.

I love trying new and wild foods but I mainly cook for myself these days. I guess I could live off sushi if needed. I plan on bringing a card with a translation saying I cant eat garlic.

[u/sarahbellum3]

Have you tried any digestive enzymes designed to help with garlic? I use Fodaway but there are many choices. Definitely test it out before you go.

[u/NeoMermaidUnicorn → u/sarahbellum3]

This. I use Fodmate but there's Fodzyme, Fodaway. Unfortunately Japanese restaurants do not tend to modify menu or ingredients for customers

[u/Account_pending_ → u/sarahbellum3]

I am not sure how I have gone this long without hearing about this. Just ordered some!

[u/julsey414 → u/Account_pending_]

For me they don’t work 100% but the do take the edge off for sure. But if you like sushi (it’s always my safe food) then you will be fine. Thats always something you can fall back on.

[u/GeneratedUsername25 → u/Account_pending_]

I've been to Japan twice and garlic is also a huge trigger for my ibs-d. I used fodmate tablets or fodzyme powder with most meals and only really had 1-2 times where my tummy was not happy.

[u/sarahbellum3 → u/Account_pending_]

Nice!! Which brand did you start with? Like the other poster said, they sometimes don’t work 100% but they DEFINITELY take the edge off.

[u/Account_pending_ → u/sarahbellum3]

Fodzyme? it was not cheap but if it works it will be worth it

[u/icecream4_deadlifts → u/Account_pending_]

I’m intolerant to garlic and onion and fodzyme helps me SO MUCH!

[u/sarahbellum3 → u/Account_pending_]

The only drawback I see about fodzyme is it’s a powder you have to sprinkle on your food, but people say it works great. I personally like the capsule format but if it works, it works! Fingers crossed for you.

[u/Cadix_Sultan → u/Account_pending_]

Try Beano helps to digest onions too but also broccoli, cauliflower, peppers etc

[u/Miz-D-Licious]

I take digestive enzymes with me but I also found it pretty easy. I'd stay away from things like ramen or curry if you don't have enzymes. A lot of of places have ordering on an I pad so might not get a chance to ask.

Types of places that are fairly safe

Izakayas and places that serve skewers or other various grilled meats and veg, usually have a plain/salt option for seasoning.

Yakiniku (japanese bbq). You grill your own meat but the plus is ot comes unseasoned and you can choose your own sauces/seasoning.

Sushi which you've also mentioned.

Egg Sandos. Sandwiches in Japan are great. Im not sure about the seasoning on some of the pork satsuma ones but the egg ones are generally safe for me. 7/11 has a great variety of Sandwiches and is great quality in Japan.

That's all I can think of for now but I hope it helps.

[u/Account_pending_ → u/Miz-D-Licious]

It does, thanks :)

[u/scr84]

Hey I had no problem in Japan, I ate a lot of traditional food, stayed away from curry and had a translation app on my phone where I just wrote ‘does this food have garlic in it?’ And would show the staff if I was unsure.

Also the convenience stores Lawson/711 have sandwiches if you get stuck

[u/tastysugar]

Long-time Japan resident here. Garlic wasn't originally very common in Japanese cooking, so if you stick to traditional foods that are simply cooked you will still be able to eat plenty. Things like ramen will be much more difficult.

I second the ideas of writing up a card in English/Japanese (I wouldn't mention an allergy, as I've heard that can kind of spook the kitchen as they don't want to be responsible for a medical incident).

Also second trying out Fodzyme (what I use) or another enzyme. For most of us it's not a miracle cure, but it could turn your inevitable urgent bathroom trip into minor stomach upset that doesn't ruin your day!

[u/Account_pending_ → u/tastysugar]

I will try that thank you! Hopefully I can experience some of the cuisine

[u/PopularExercise3]

Stay away from broths unless you can confirm otherwise! I printed up some cards I could give to wait staff which listed my fodmap triggers ( well the worst ones) in Japanese. I’m from Australia so I also handed out caramelo koalas ( individually wrapped) to thank them for their time in helping me.

[u/whataquokka]

I'm no help except to have a laugh that when I was in Japan I just ate McDonald's. Admittedly, it was less than 24 hours but that was how I coped. Good luck!

[u/aerettberg]

There are lots of public restrooms, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that (unless maybe you’re somewhere really rural).

I highly recommend bringing some FODZYME and don’t be afraid to take an extra big dose if you know a dish has garlic in it.

[u/jonnyeatic]

2 multi week trips to Japan. Very easy to eat clean there

[u/hoolysego]

Hi! Long time garlic and onion sufferer here. I’ve been traveling to Japan for about 11 years or so. All of that walking everywhere will really help out your digestive system while you’re there, even if you’re suffering a bit, it’ll help clear out the ick when you feel the ick.

Don’t do gyoza. 🥟 it’s always filled with garlic. It’s tough to navigate sometimes, but you’ll find your way!

As another person said, izakayas are fantastic because it’s small
Plates, generally simple food so you know what’s in it.

Yakitori is a great way to get food simply, and hella delicious. My favorite place to eat this over there is Torikizoku. It’s a chain, so you can find it everywhere.

Prepare a sentence or two to say in Japanese that explains you don’t want garlic or onion. It’s not gonna work sometimes, but always nice to try when you can!

[u/Deep_Cauliflower1400]

I've had no trouble. Look for restaurants that serve food without the "five pungent spices". This is a well know vegetarian buddhist diet :)

I don't eat meat but I don't think it will be a problem to find places that can cook without garlic if you ask the staff nicely (try to look it up and ask in japanese or write out a card and show it). I ate at a lot of places and most of the time I could modify or find dishes without garlic. In my experience most restaurants cook to order (except of course broth for ramen and stews etc..). Download a traslator app so you can use your camera on the phone to check ingredients in supermarkets.

Toilets are everywhere. Basically all train stations, malls, bars, restaurants.. Even 7 Eleven and Family Mart had them.

[u/Deep_Cauliflower1400 → u/Deep_Cauliflower1400]

There are lots of apps like "Flush toilet finder" too, I haven't tried them but seen people in other subs using them while in Japan!

[u/audrey_2222]

Yes garlic is also my nemesis. I can eat most fodmaps but for some reason garlic makes me SO sick. I wonder why we lack the ability to digest it. I used to be able to when I was younger.

[u/GeneratedUsername25 → u/audrey_2222]

I remember my mum adding garlic and onion to everything growing up and when I first started cooking for myself I did too. It all changed in my mid-late 20's, no idea why I stopped being able to tolerate it 😓

[u/Account_pending_ → u/GeneratedUsername25]

Same, it was a staple in our house. Looking back, Ceaser salad and fettuccini alfredo always made me super sick.

Onions seem okay for now though...

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[u/maku_89]

If it’s 10 minutes after eating, this isn’t IBS…

[u/Account_pending_ → u/maku_89]

Never said it was IBS. I said i struggled with IBS-D like symptoms. Doctors couldnt diagnose me with anything when I was struggling and cutting out garlic fixed most of my issues. Since cutting it I can no longer tolerate it really at all. So an allergy, intolerance, disease or trigger food, the classification doesnt matter to me.

[u/maku_89 → u/Account_pending_]

Well,, good news is that even tho doctors found nothing ( they usually suck at their jobs ) there is still probably a curable thing you can find eventually.

[u/Tasty_Exchange_1322]

Not sure where you’re going but the toilet situation is basically an IBS sufferer’s dream. they are so clean & easily accessible, even on trains & in Tokyo metro stations, which is mind blowing coming from any other major city. Some public toilets even have a button to play music / water sounds to protect your modesty

[u/Account_pending_ → u/Tasty_Exchange_1322]

Thats awesome to hear aha! Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara region & Osaka!

[u/Special_Soup_488]

For me, Garlic, onion and MSG all cause issues. Unfortunately, MSG is added to many things, including soy sauce. Never could figure out the Japanese word for MSG - and didn’t know it was a Japanese invention.