Japan’s secret ingredient
In March 2024, Japan’s tourist numbers exceeded 3 million. It was the first time in history that visitor numbers had surpassed the 2.9 million mark in one month, and when I heard the news I genuinely worried if at minimum 50% of those tourists had sore tummies.
You’re probably wondering why I would be concerned for tourist’s stomachs so let me explain. For many of us when we think of Japanese food we likely imagine perfectly assembled sushi, hearty ramen, and sweet smooth and colourful mochi. FYI, Japan is brimming with those things, and if I’m being honest the food here is probably some of the best I’ve eaten in the world. But Japanese food also has another secret ingredient, MSG.
For you lucky ones or dare I say it the blissfully ignorant ones, you may have never even heard of MSG (Monosodium glutamate). Basically it’s a flavour enhancer that is added to food, and it’s in a lot of food here. It can cause a range of symptoms from migraines, fluttering heart beats, feeling sick, numbness - I could keep going but I don’t want to be coined the Japanese food party pooper.
When I arrived to Japan, I, like many others ate anything and everything, desperately wanting to sample the plethora of gourmet food here. I soon learnt that those ‘gourmet’ rice balls from 7/11 that I was consuming almost daily were causing me a few little health/gut problems. At one point I thought I even had long covid - Alas, it was likely just the copious artificial flavouring I had made part of my every day consumption.
Foods I discovered had MSG
Rice Balls from 7/11 - this was the absolute most devastating for me
Almost all cup noodles - equally devastating
Sauces/Salad dressing
Seasonings
Soups including Ramen
Currys
An undisclosed amount of other foods that will probs just make you depressed
Before you come for me, unless you’re severely allergic to MSG you’ll most likely be fine, and if you’re only in Japan on holiday then I would just go for it, eat everything, drink plenty of water, and walk as much as possible, but for those who are here permanently, it’s definitely something to factor in and avoid when you can. But how?
For me, we live in the countryside. We are surrounded by rice and vegetable farmers and we are very fortunate that we can access many fresh, seasonal food that isn’t imported. Our local supermarket is a 500m walk from us, stacked with fresh fruit and vegetables so if I chose to down the MSG it’s really on me.
Here’s some tips I use to avoid MSG when we’re away for racing and I can’t access my regular shops
At restaurants ask for no dressing on salads and just add olive oil and salt and pepper
Don’t go stupid on the Ramen - it’s a simple as that
Eat at restaurants that have ‘healthy’ options
Eat tempura vegetables at restaurants or in bentos at Supermarkets
Minimise the amount of delicious mouth watering sauces you dip things in (I’m almost crying as I write that)
If you’re going to get a rice ball at 7/11 opt for Pickled Plum, Salmon and Seaweed - there’s less sauce in these flavours
Eat bread or rice to fill up (provided you aren’t gluten intolerant which is a whole other issue here)
Drink water, water, water to flush the MSG out.
Unfortunately, unless you’re fully committed to ordering Organic boxes of groceries, going sauceless, and cooking yourself then you’re likely going to run into little encounters with MSG regularly, but it shouldn’t deter you from how magical the food is here.
Bare in mind if you’re from Australia or the US, our bodies haven’t been exposed to these kinds of foods for our entire lives, the Japanese have grown up on it and their bodies are able to assimilate and digest things that we might find difficult. The Japanese diet clearly has many health benefits when many are living to 100 years old, so MSG can’t be all bad, however it’s not one size fits all, so eat what your body can handle and avoid exclusively ‘convenient food’ regardless of how convenient it is.
Misty xx