Job Discussion Forums

[Manada]

(in Toronto now)

I've never been to Japan, but Japanese food is by far my favourite -- although I suspect what I've eating both in North American and Europe is somewhat westernized....

I plan to move to Japan next September (2007) - and am looking forward to both travelling again, and living somewhere new - but I have one concern (well, no, I have many -- but this is today's!)

I don't eat fish.

I know Japanese food has alot of fish and seafood in it -- it is an island afterall! But while I have no problem eating the occasional amount of any other food (whether I like it or not) --- I'm wondering how hard it will be to get food without fish?

It seems like a rediculous question even as I type it (because I KNOW that other forms of meat exist there...)..... but even in restaurants here I have to be careful about specifying that I don't want fish or seafood in my food ------- how hard is this to do in Japan? Any tips with regards to it?

Thanks all! I'm sure I'll make many more posts over the next year or so! Hopefully this will be the worst of them!

[TK4Lakers]

I actually have a native Japanese friend who is allergic to fish, and many of my students dislike it as well.

You're right, Japanese food is delicious, maybe the best in the world. and another great thing is they have a variety of options when it comes to food.

If you don't like fish, no problem at all. Just don't go out to a sushi bar then =). There's plenty of other food around (and if you go to the major cities, most restaraunts will have their food displayed in front outside).

[Manada]

Thanks for the reply

It's good to know that it shouldn't be a HUGE issue.... I can't wait to get there -- the FOOD was a huge part of the reason I have my heart set on Japan

[Sage]

[David W]

Yeah, I can't stand any type of seafood either. Makes me gag just smelling it. Until you get to know what's what you might have a few moments where you'll get a mouthful (soup base or bonito flakes- something like that) of something unpleasant. Once you get to know everything it won't be a problem.

[Sage]

If you do mostly your own cooking it should never be a problem. If you go out to eat, well, then I guess it deends....

[furiousmilksheikali]

Although it's easy enough to find dishes without fish it is also quite common to find dishes that have been cooked in dashi (a kind of fish stock). If you have a serious aversion to it then steer clear of anything that looks like soup until you know what's in it.

An alternative is to try food which is new to you in the place that is your new home, you may be surprised. Sushi and sashimi don't often taste "fishy". I'm particularly fond of maguro and salmon (among others) and I never liked fish before I came to Japan.

[Apsara]

I have never really liked fish, and don't eat it, but I don't mind food with dashi- the fish taste is so mild as to be pretty much undetectable to me, but others may be more sensitive.

Sushi and sashimi however make me gag, literally. I can handle the idea of raw fish, but the texture and flavour are just revolting. I've only eaten it a couple of times, when it would have been extremely rude if I hadn't managed to get down a couple of pieces. Luckily I haven't had to eat it in several years.

You'll have no trouble eating here, especially if you eat other meat. Visiting Japanese people's houses for dinner, lunch etc. is the only tricky bit, as fish is almost always served.

[JimDunlop2]

I generally don't advocate lying -- but I find that people often have troubles with the concept of someone not LIKING something -- it's almost a personal affront. E.g. "Surely, my fantastic flounder recipe will be a hit with even the most picky eater." Which makes is awkward and you appear insensitive or rude when you don't try any.

The best way around it, I think, is to just say that you have an allergy to something (the Japanese word is pronounced similar to the English word, but for a hard "g"). Then you just get a "Ahhhh....." of understanding and a look of sympathy, instead of a confused grimace.

Fish and seafood allergies are quite common anyway, so if you were to play that card, I doubt anyone would even look twice... Even if it were served for lunch at someone's home.

(Just my two bits)

[Like a Rolling Stone]

There are lots of places to get food. YOu can get burgers and convenience store food thats got no fish in it. Try Mos burger, it is a good tasty burger place with NO FISH in the burger! and ramen shops are good for getting noodles in soup but NO FISH! and you can find Chinese take aways everywhere and curry rice shops with curry with you've guessed it NO FISH ! You can also see pizza restaurants even famous one like Pizza Hut! So don't worry you will be fine.