How Does Menu Decoder Decide a Dish Is Safe or Unsafe?
Every dish gets one of three verdicts: safe, caution or unsafe. Uncertain dishes become caution, with the risky ingredient named. Here is the procedure.
Luis Martinez Aug 16, 2026 Blog
Blog
Guides for eating safely with food allergies. Country-by-country travel tips, allergen guides, and dietary restriction strategies.
Luis Martinez Aug 16, 2026 
What Is Monter au Beurre and Why Does It Make Dairy Allergy So Hard in French Restaurants?
Monter au beurre means cold butter swirled into finished sauces off the heat. It's why French dishes that sound dairy-free often aren't, and menus won't say.
Luis Martinez Jul 13, 2026 
Can You Eat Coconut-Free in Thailand?
Tom yum, pad thai, and Isan grilled meats are coconut-free. Every Thai curry except khua kling uses coconut milk. Most desserts are off the menu.
Luis Martinez Apr 27, 2026 
How Do You Eat Soy-Free in Thailand?
Thai curries, tom yum, and grilled meats are naturally soy-free. Stir-fries, jay (vegetarian) restaurants, and most oyster sauces hide soy.
Luis Martinez Apr 20, 2026 
Is Thai Food Safe for Celiac Disease?
Thai curries are naturally gluten-free but soy sauce, oyster sauce, and khao soi noodles hide wheat. The exact dishes, phrases, and traps celiacs need to know.
Luis Martinez Apr 14, 2026 
What Is Dashi and Why Does It Make Japan the Hardest Country for Fish Allergies?
Dashi, a fish stock from bonito or sardines, hides in miso soup, omelets, simmered vegetables, and pickles. Japan doesn't require restaurants to disclose it.
Luis Martinez Apr 8, 2026 
Why Is Mole the Most Allergen-Dense Sauce in the World?
Mole negro packs peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, wheat, and chocolate into one sauce. See the allergen profile for all 7 Oaxacan moles and which ones are safer.
Luis Martinez Apr 5, 2026 
What Are the Hidden Shellfish Ingredients in Thai Food?
Shrimp paste (kapi) is in every Thai curry paste. Oyster sauce hides in stir-fries. Nam phrik phao loads tom yum with dried shrimp. Here's what to avoid.
Luis Martinez Apr 2, 2026 
What Are the Most Dangerous Hidden Allergen Traps in World Cuisines?
The 10 most dangerous hidden allergens in global cuisines, ranked. Shrimp paste, cashew paste, wheat in soy sauce, lupin flour, and more.
Luis Martinez Apr 1, 2026 
Best and Worst Countries for Celiac Travelers: A Data-Driven Ranking
Italy scores 9.1/10 with 4,000+ certified GF restaurants. Japan scores 1.7/10 because soy sauce is 50% wheat. A scored ranking of 16 countries.
Luis Martinez Mar 31, 2026 
What Is the Asafoetida Gluten Trap in Indian Food?
Over 90% of commercial hing is cut with wheat flour. If you have celiac disease, every dal in India is a gluten trap. Here's how to identify it and eat safely.
Luis Martinez Mar 30, 2026 
Can You Eat Gluten-Free in Japan? The Soy Sauce Problem
Standard soy sauce is 50% wheat and it's in every sauce, glaze, and marinade in Japan. Here's what's safe, what's not, and how to eat gluten-free.
Luis Martinez Mar 25, 2026 
Why Is Italy the Best Country for Celiac Travelers?
Italy has 4,000+ AIC-certified GF restaurants, EU allergen laws, government stipends for celiacs, and pharmacy GF aisles. Plus the traps to avoid.
Luis Martinez Mar 25, 2026 
Can You Eat Thai Food With a Peanut Allergy?
Most Thai dishes are peanut-free. See which 10 dishes to avoid, 11 safe alternatives with Thai names, regional risk differences, and Thai allergy phrases.
Luis Martinez Mar 24, 2026 
Does Soy Sauce Have Wheat? The Hidden Gluten Trap
Standard soy sauce is about 50% wheat. See the full list of Asian condiments with hidden gluten, ranked by cuisine, with gluten-free alternatives.
Luis Martinez Mar 23, 2026 
What Is the Global Shrimp Paste Map?
Shrimp paste hides in curries, sambals, and kimchi across 8+ countries under different names. Here's every variant, where it hides, and how to avoid it.
Luis Martinez Mar 21, 2026 
Which Countries Are Best and Worst for Dairy Allergy Travelers?
China, Vietnam, and Thailand are naturally dairy-free. India and France are the hardest. Italy splits north to south. A country-by-country dairy ranking.
Luis Martinez Mar 17, 2026 
Which Countries Are Easiest and Hardest for Celiac Disease Travelers?
Italy has 4,000+ certified GF restaurants. Japan's soy sauce is 50% wheat. A country-by-country celiac ranking with hidden traps and local phrases.
Luis Martinez Mar 15, 2026 
Which Countries Are Safest and Most Dangerous for Peanut Allergy Travelers?
Japan and EU countries are safest for peanut allergies — strong labeling laws, minimal peanut use. Thailand, Indonesia, China, and Mexico are highest-risk.
Luis Martinez Mar 12, 2026 
How Do You Eat Safely With Food Allergies in Mexico?
Lard hides in 'vegetarian' beans, mole sauces contain 7+ allergens, and dairy lands on every plate. Corn-based cuisine is your friend — if you know the traps.
Luis Martinez Mar 5, 2026 
How Do You Eat Safely With Food Allergies in India?
मुझे दूध से एलर्जी है (mujhe doodh se allergy hai) means "I have a milk allergy". Every Hindi phrase you need, plus the allergens Indian food hides.
Luis Martinez Mar 2, 2026 
How Do You Eat Safely With Food Allergies in Italy?
Italy has EU allergen laws and 4,000+ certified gluten-free restaurants. Hidden traps: butter in risotto, celery in every sauce, dissolved anchovies.
Luis Martinez Feb 28, 2026 
How Do You Eat Safely With Food Allergies in Japan?
Soy sauce contains wheat, fish stock hides in everything from omelets to pickles, and restaurants have no legal obligation to tell you. Here's how to stay safe.
Luis Martinez Feb 28, 2026 
How Do You Eat Safely With Food Allergies in Thailand?
Shrimp paste hides in every curry, fish sauce is in everything, and peanuts show up as surprise garnishes. Here's how to eat safely.
Luis Martinez Feb 28, 2026 Scan any menu. Know what's safe.
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