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p_b_65 · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: France

I have a bad reaction to MSG, especially in large amounts and I was wondering how widespread the use is in Japan today. I have spent some time in SE asia and got used to seeing the ubiquitous bags of aji no moto in the stores. Is it just as common in Japan, and if so is it easy to identify and avoid? Does this require cooking all your food by youself? Thanks for the help.

6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

As a totally non partisan answer to your question (the jury is still out on so called MSG allergy):

Japan is where MSG was invented. It is widely used in virtually all processed foods. Good restaurants do not use it, because they pride themselves on their ability to produce "authentic" and "natural" flavours.

Meanwhile, virtually anything that comes packaged contains some form or another of MSG (or its hundred of variations).

You might be happy/unhappy to know that many sports drinks in Japan also contain a variety of amino acids, produced in similar if not identical ways to MSG, therefore many drinks and candies will be off limits too.

Have fun.

wintersweet · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 3:23 am Post subject:

Personally, I've never claimed to be allergic to MSG, and I note that the OP didn't either. (For me, it's a migraine trigger, which is fairly common.)

Anything that would have MSG in the US or elsewhere (instant soups, chips, etc.) is likely to have it in Japan as well. The only surprising additional place I've tended to spot it is in sweet things, like some flavors of Pocky. Avoid boxed curry mixes, etc. (Organic and natural food shops may carry the handful of boxed and instant items that don't have MSG.) I didn't seem to have problems at most restaurants, though. And the number of drinks and candies that have amino acids or that kind of thing in them is rather small compared to the huge variety of beverages and snacks available.

I don't recall whether ingredient lists use 味の素 or あじのもと or something else, but it's worth finding out.

6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

ingredient lists use

アミノ酸 which is basically "amino acid". Before the acid it will tell you exactly what amino acid it is. In some cases. Remember that 植物たんぱく　(vegetable protein) is also produced in the same ways that MSG is. Ditto for various "pork" "beef" etc extracts and "proteins".

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:41 am Post subject:

Anyone remember this?

Eva Pilot · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:41 am Post subject:

I love MSG.

p_b_65 · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: France

Yeah, it's not really an allergy, but can sometimes set off headaches. I already avoid most of the prepackaged stuff, wherever I am, so it sounds like I wouldn't have to change much in Japan. Thanks for the kanji spelling, now if only I could remember it... I guess reading labels is as good a way as any to learn a language.