Dairy-free
No milk, butter or cheese — traditional Japanese food is largely dairy-free already.
Dairy-free, naturally
Traditional Japanese cooking uses almost no dairy — sushi, sashimi, soba, tempura, yakitori and most washoku are naturally dairy-free. The exceptions are yoshoku (western-influenced Japanese food): butter on grilled corn or scallops, cream croquettes, gratin, and milk/butter in bread and pastries.
What to watch for in Japan
- Butter on teppanyaki and grilled dishes
- Cream sauces, gratin, cream croquettes
- Milk and butter in bread and desserts
Useful phrases
乳製品（牛乳・バター・チーズ）は食べられません。
Nyūseihin (gyūnyū, batā, chīzu) wa taberaremasen.
I can't eat dairy (milk, butter, cheese).
