Is there a lot of MSG in Japanese food?

[Michael Paulson]

I'm thinking of taking a trip to Japan and the only issue I can see is my food allergy. I'm allergic to Monosodium glutamate aka MSG. Are food labels printed in Japanese and English and do restaurants keep allergen info handy? I'd love to not end up in the hospital during my trip. lol

 

[Glenski]

I think most Japanese don't have any idea what MSG is.
Allergic to MSG, 2 weeks in Japan - japan-guide.com forum

Ajinomoto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yes, MSG, the Secret Behind the Savor (Published 2008)
If MSG is so bad for you, why doesn't everyone in Asia have a headache? | Life and style | The Observer

 

[Michael Paulson]

Its the same problem here in the US. So many people don't even know about it and its in everything here. I'm thinking that the best way for me to ensure I don't get sick is to find a place to stay during my trip where I have access to a kitchenette or full kitchen.

 

[Glenski]

Just how severe is your allergy? Nothing you can take for it?

 

[Michael Paulson]

It can be pretty severe. It really depends on how much MSG I eat at a time. I can eat a small bag of chips seasoned with msg and not have much of an issue, but eating a full meal with msg in it,is pretty much out of the question. The biggest issue with my allergy is the symptoms them self's. Its not what you would call a normal foodallergy symptoms. It gives me some insanely bad migraines and debilitating motion sickness. I can take medications for it but only after I have eaten food with msg. There currently is no preventive med's for it. I think I'm just going to have to keep my med's on me and hope for the best.

 

[Glenski]

Best I can tell you is to find out from those links what foods are likely to contain MSG, avoid them if you can, and if not, just ask about gurutamin san natoriumu when you buy it.

 

[Mike Cash]

Or "ajinomoto" or "guruso" (that last one may be jargon/slang; that's what we call it every time I've hauled the stuff).