Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/japan-hidden-animal-ingredients/
Language: en

# Hidden Animal Ingredients in Japanese Food (Dashi, Bonito, Mirin)

Japanese food looks light and plant-forward, but the savory base is usually fish. The culprit is
dashi, a stock that turns up in miso soup, sauces and broths. Here is what to watch and what is
safe.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - The main hidden animal ingredient is dashi made from katsuobushi (dried bonito fish).
> - Katsuobushi flakes, fish in soy sauces, egg and gelatin are the other ones to watch.
> - Rice, tofu, edamame, mochi and nori are usually vegan-safe.
> - Ask "is the dashi fish-based?" and look for shojin ryori (temple food).

**TL;DR: The main hidden animal ingredient in Japanese food is dashi made from katsuobushi
(dried fish), plus fish in soy-based sauces, egg in many dishes, and gelatin in sweets. Rice,
tofu, edamame, mochi and nori are usually vegan-safe.**

## Dashi: the biggest hidden ingredient

Dashi is the stock behind miso soup, soba/udon broths and many sauces. It comes in two forms:

- **Kombu dashi**: made from kelp. **Vegan.**
- **Katsuobushi dashi**: made from dried bonito (skipjack tuna). **Not vegetarian.**

Most restaurants use katsuobushi dashi (or a mix), so a bowl of miso soup is usually **not**
vegetarian, even with no visible fish.

## Other things to watch

- **Katsuobushi (bonito flakes)**: sprinkled on okonomiyaki, takoyaki and agedashi tofu.
- **Tsuyu / soba dipping sauce**: soy-based but typically contains katsuobushi.
- **Kamaboko / naruto**: the white-and-pink fish cake slices in ramen.
- **Tamago**: the sweet egg omelet; egg also appears in ramen and batters.
- **Gelatin**: in wagashi (sweets), jellies and some desserts.
- **Mentaiko** (spicy cod roe) and **shirasu** (baby sardines): obvious but easy to miss in small dishes.
- **Pork/chicken stock**: in ramen broths and some curry roux; okonomiyaki can be layered with pork belly.
- **Mirin**: usually fine (sweet rice wine), but check "mirin-style" products for additives.

## Usually vegan-safe

Rice, tofu, edamame, natto, mochi, nori, plain onigiri (check the filling), vegetable tempura
(check the batter for egg), and plain soba noodles (check the broth, not the noodle).

## The bottom line

Japanese food isn't automatically vegetarian: the fish-based dashi is in more places than you'd
expect. When in doubt, ask "is the dashi fish-based?" (魚のだし?) or check the label.

See our [Japanese common-ingredients guide](/food/japan/common-ingredients/) for a fuller list.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*