Home › Guides › Soy allergy in Japan
Soy allergy in Japan: soy sauce, miso, tofu and how to cope
Soy is the backbone of Japanese seasoning: soy sauce, miso, tofu, natto and soy oil. A soy allergy is one of the harder allergies to manage here, and it needs more planning than most. The best strategy is to choose simple dishes and use a card.
Quick answer: Say 大豆アレルギーです (daizu arerugii desu) and name 醤油 (shouyu), 味噌 (miso), 豆腐 (toufu) and 納豆 (nattou). Soy is not on the mandatory label list, so read ingredient lists too.
Where soy hides
- Soy sauce in dipping sauces, tare, glazes, teriyaki, ponzu, noodle broth and pickles.
- Miso in miso soup, miso ramen, marinades and dressings.
- Tofu products such as aburaage (油揚げ, fried tofu) in udon, atsuage (厚揚げ) and soy milk (豆乳).
- Natto (納豆), see what is natto.
- Kinako (きな粉), roasted soybean flour, dusted on mochi and desserts.
- Oils and margarine made from soybean oil, and many konbini bento.
Safer ways to order
Choose plain dishes seasoned with salt: shioyaki (塩焼き, salt-grilled fish), shio yakitori, plain rice, fruit, and sashimi you eat without soy sauce. Ask the staff whether broth is soy-based, because mentsuyu and many soups contain it. At sit-down restaurants, show the card and let the kitchen decide.
Labels: read the ingredients
Japan’s mandatory allergen list covers egg, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanut, shrimp, crab and walnut. Soy (大豆) is on the recommended list only, so the allergen line may not mention it. Scan the ingredient list for 大豆, 醤油, 味噌, 豆腐 and 豆乳. Soy sauce also contains wheat, which matters if you have both allergies, so see our gluten-free page. The label guide has the full vocabulary.
Soy phrases in Japanese
| Japanese (kana) | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| だいず（大豆） | daizu | soybean |
| しょうゆ（醤油） | shouyu | soy sauce |
| みそ（味噌） | miso | miso |
| とうふ（豆腐） | toufu | tofu |
| なっとう（納豆） | nattou | natto |
| とうにゅう（豆乳） | tounyuu | soy milk |
| きなこ | kinako | roasted soybean flour |
| だいずアレルギーです（大豆アレルギー） | daizu arerugii desu | I have a soy allergy |
| しょうゆは使っていますか？（醤油） | shouyu wa tsukatte imasu ka? | Do you use soy sauce? |
| しおだけでおねがいします（塩だけで） | shio dake de onegai shimasu | Just salt, please |
Printable soy allergy card
Soy is in many hidden places, so the card asks the kitchen to check sauces and broth as well.
私は大豆（醤油・味噌・豆腐を含む）アレルギーです。
I am allergic to soy (including soy sauce, miso and tofu).
大豆（醤油・味噌・豆腐を含む）が入っている料理は食べられません。
I cannot eat any dish that contains soy (including soy sauce, miso and tofu).
だしやソース、調味料、揚げ油にも入っていないか、ご確認をお願いします。
Please also check the stock, sauces, seasonings and frying oil.
大豆（醤油・味噌・豆腐を含む）に触れた調理器具や油は使わないでください。
Please do not use utensils or oil that have touched soy (including soy sauce, miso and tofu).
少量でも命に関わります。
Even a small amount can be life-threatening.
ご協力ありがとうございます。 Thank you for your help. · japanmust.com
Printing tip: set the page to “fit to page”, or take a screenshot and show it on your phone. Delete the last line if your allergy is not severe.
Allergy safety: this is travel information, not medical advice. Restaurants often cannot guarantee an allergen-free meal, and cross-contact in kitchens is common. Carry any prescribed medication and a doctor’s letter, and check current Japanese rules for bringing medicine into the country.
Frequently asked questions
Is soy sauce a soy allergen?
Yes. Soy sauce is made from soybeans and wheat, so it is unsafe for a soy allergy and for wheat allergy or celiac disease.
Is soy labeled as an allergen in Japan?
It is on the recommended list, not the mandatory one, so the allergen line may not mention it. Check the ingredient list.
Can I eat sushi with a soy allergy?
Plain sushi and sashimi are possible if you skip soy sauce, but sauces, glazes and marinades can include it. Show the card at the counter.
What about soybean oil?
Soy oil is used in many fryers and in margarine. Ask what oil is used, and discuss refined soy oil with your allergist before you travel.
Related guides
Spot soy words on any menu
Japan Interpreter reads kanji like 醤油 and 味噌 on menus and labels, even in airplane mode.
Japan Interpreter: offline camera and text translation for Japan. Allergen flags help, but never replace asking the restaurant.