How to Order Vegetarian at a Sushi Restaurant

on August 21, 2010
in All Posts

Subtitled:  When You Are Allergic to Avocado  🙂

 

Last night was SO MUCH FUN.  Philly has great nightlife!

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We started off at Haru, a sushi place that BFF Lauren absolutely loves.  We sat at this huge special table and drank cocktails with fun names like One Night in Tokyo.

 

Now, not only am I a vegetarian, but I’m also very allergic to avocado, which rules out most of the vegetarian sushi rolls.   There’s an avocado/mango/latex cross-reaction (and other things too, but I’m not sensitive to them).  Mango makes my stomach hurt and latex makes me itch, but avocado throws my body into a full-on allergic attack (i.e. rush to me to the hospital and pump me full of drugs immediately).

 

The avocado issue means I can’t eat any sushi rolls because I can’t trust the kitchens to use clean knives and cutting boards.  However, there are plenty of vegetarian options at a sushi place to enjoy…. just look at the appetizer menu instead!

 

Edamame:

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Vegetarian spring rolls (I had two full rolls):

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A huge ginger salad:

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I did order a side of tofu, but it wasn’t the best, and I ended up skipping it.

 

And then we went out on the town!  We went to to fun dive bars (I love heart dive bars!).  When we got back around 3 AM, I ate a slice of cheese pizza… and it was amazing.

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And we’re off to brunch! 🙂

{ 75 comments }

 

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete August 21, 2010, 11:10 am

    Those spring rolls look great though, I don’t think I would have missed sushi if I had those in front of me!

    There is nothing better than cheese pizza at 3am, right?

  • amanda @ Hungry Vegan Traveler August 21, 2010, 11:13 am

    I had no idea you were allergic to avocados! That sucks.

  • Natalie August 21, 2010, 11:15 am

    I didn’t know you were allergic to avocado! What a bummer! It’s so delicious 🙂

  • Faith @ lovelyascharged August 21, 2010, 11:16 am

    Sorry about the avocado issue :/ The other goodies look like they made up for it though…and clubs < dive bars any day of the week!

  • Ameena August 21, 2010, 11:19 am

    I used to have an avocado allergy but then one day it up and disappeared. Maybe the same will happen for you? Hopefully?

    In the meantime your dinner still looks like it ended up being fantastic!

  • hippierunner August 21, 2010, 11:21 am

    The spring rolls and salad (and pizza!) look so good! Glad you were able to figure out what to eat while avoiding avocado!

  • Kristy @ KristyRuns.com August 21, 2010, 11:23 am

    Mmmmm…late night pizza. ALWAYS a good idea. And what is this allergy to avocado!?!? My sympathies!

  • Camille August 21, 2010, 11:24 am

    Eeek, that is scary about the avocado! Glad you are able to find substitutions.

  • Freya (Brit Chick Runs) August 21, 2010, 11:29 am

    You girls are all so stunning!

  • Leianna August 21, 2010, 11:32 am

    You do a great job of adapting yourself without making a big deal of it. Owned it!

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous August 21, 2010, 11:33 am

    You look great! Cucumber rolls are a good option too. I’m not a vegetarian, but I get them EVERY time!

  • Sarah August 21, 2010, 11:41 am

    I can’t decide if pizza tastes better at 3am or the next morning cold for breakfast.
    I am glad you can get other things at a sushi place that don’t try to kill you, I know I would be upset if I couldn’t eat sushi rolls.

  • Megan (Braise The Roof) August 21, 2010, 11:43 am

    You know it’s a good night when it ends with a slice of cheese pizza! 🙂

    I worked for one of Haru’s sister companies for about 3 years and I’ll tell you, whenever we had someone with a food allergy, our sushi chefs were VERY conscientious about switching to a clean knife and cutting board to eliminate any chance of cross-contamination. If you go to a well-reputed place like Haru (or RA where I worked) you can trust them to keep your food separated- and if in doubt, flag down a manager when you put your order in! Then you can feel 100% confident! 🙂

    • Caitlin August 21, 2010, 4:53 pm

      that’s good to know! I wish I could trust it… but I really can’t. the risks are too great!

  • Nicole - yuppieyogini.com August 21, 2010, 11:43 am

    I visited Philly a few months ago…it’s a fun city. I didn’t realize you’re allergic to avocadoes-that sucks. Did you have testing for your food allergies/sensitivities?

  • Chelsey August 21, 2010, 11:43 am

    you’re allergic to avocado? God bless you girl – i would be in a tizzy!!!

  • Dorry August 21, 2010, 11:45 am

    Looks like a yummy dinner and a fun night with friends!

  • Whitney August 21, 2010, 11:48 am

    Oh geez. I would be so sad if I was allergic to avocado. I love it so much! Who doesn’t eat pizza at 3 a.m? It would be unnatural not to.

  • Krystina August 21, 2010, 11:54 am

    Haha, I love the late night pizza. 😛

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter August 21, 2010, 11:55 am

    Those are great swaps since you are allergic to avocado.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) August 21, 2010, 11:56 am

    Cross contamination is a huge issue for us too! I can’t have dairy or soy and my husband has celiac, so absolutely no gluten (even crumbs). I am glad you had a great time and worked around the menu! It always makes for a more enjoyable time with friends when you can enjoy things with them!

  • Meg August 21, 2010, 11:57 am

    I’m deathly allergic to oranges so I understand! When I go to asian restaurants, i pretty much have to order sushi because I can’t risk ordering an entree. My worst allergic reaction ever was at a Chinese restaurant – apparently someone before me had ordered orange chicken and they didn’t clean the pan properly! Glad you had fun in Philly 🙂

  • ashleigh August 21, 2010, 12:02 pm

    There’s nothing better than pizza at 3 am! Looks like you guys had a blast!

  • Lauren August 21, 2010, 12:02 pm

    Oh how sad that you are allergic to avocado. I would be lost without it! I am allergic, well I use to be allergic to Cantelope. Thank goodness, I grew out of it. Food allergies are the worst, especially when its with a good food!

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape August 21, 2010, 12:04 pm

    Omg, I would die if I was allergic to avocados. Yes-that was slightly hyperbolic but I really do love those things!! I’m luckily not allergic to any foods but I do have a serious aversion to cilantro. I don’t know what it is about that herb but I REALLY hate it.

  • Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward August 21, 2010, 12:06 pm

    I would hate to be allergic to mango and avocados! Those are two of my favorites, and I love guac. It sounds like you are very careful with your allergies.

    Have a great time with your BFF!

  • Kelly August 21, 2010, 12:27 pm

    Hooray for Philly! I love late night pizza!

  • Wei-Wei August 21, 2010, 12:32 pm

    :O I didn’t know you were allergic to avocado?! Ouchhhh. A night out sounds like a lot of fun 😉 What are dive bars, btw?

    • Caitlin August 21, 2010, 4:53 pm

      like, crappy bars that you dont have to dress up for 🙂

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin August 21, 2010, 12:32 pm

    I didn’t know that you’re allergic to avocado! That’s such a bummer that you can’t eat sushi at restaurants.

  • Amber K August 21, 2010, 12:36 pm

    I love adding avocado to my green monsters to make them creamy without using dairy. I would be so bummed if I were allergic!

    Those are some great tips though! I always wondered what I would eat if I was forced to go for sushi.

  • Hedda August 21, 2010, 12:40 pm

    Your food looks delicious, and what a great way to end with some Italian love 🙂

    I was just wondering, do you have many friends who eat meat, or are the majority vegetarians?

    Hope you have a fabolous weekend 🙂

  • Sonia @ Master of Her Romaine August 21, 2010, 12:41 pm

    omg omg thank you SO MUCH for posting this!
    I’m a vegetarian AND allergic to avocado also- it sucks! I have never considered the cross contamination from other sushi rolls when I go out for japanese food… I usually end up getting tempura veggies and sweet potato rolls- thankfully I haven’t gotten ill from avocado contamination from those!

  • Maria @ Oh Healthy Day August 21, 2010, 12:44 pm

    I’m not a sushi fan AND I don’t even like avocado, so this post is perfect for me – those are the things I always order. Japanese salad dressings and sauces are pretty much the only ones I like. Yum.

  • Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews August 21, 2010, 12:49 pm

    Yum! Pizza at the end of the night is the best!Have a great weekend!

  • Amy @ Amy Starts to Run August 21, 2010, 12:49 pm

    Those spring rolls look delicious! Sounds like you guys had a blast!

  • Heather August 21, 2010, 12:49 pm

    looks like fun!

  • Sarah for Real August 21, 2010, 12:54 pm

    That IS quite a challenge. I guess even if you weren’t vegetarian, you still couldn’t eat sushi because of the cross contamination. That’s tough but it looks like you handled it very gracefully! Your meal looked very filling and yummy!

  • Julie @ Pickley Pear August 21, 2010, 12:54 pm

    That’s a bummer about the avocado allergy – I truly LOVE avocado. There really are a lot of options at sushi restaurants, and most make cooked food as well, such as Vegetable Stir-Fry’s and such.
    Looks like you had a blast with your friends!!

  • Ashley August 21, 2010, 12:58 pm

    So glad you like Philly!! I live around the corner from Haru. Their lemingrass hot and sour is pretty life altering. You should try and check out Amada or Zavino while you’re in town!! Amada is way better than Stella in my opinion 🙂

  • Erin August 21, 2010, 1:04 pm

    I have never known any one else to have a severe avocado allergy! I have to be super cautious when dining at sushi places as well!

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie August 21, 2010, 1:14 pm

    While out on the town late there is NOTHING better than a piece of New York Style pizza. It is like the very most perfect thing for your body at that point. haha

  • Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman August 21, 2010, 1:25 pm

    Oooh, cheese pizza after a night out of drinking and having fun is the best! What a fun night:)

  • Mama Pea August 21, 2010, 1:35 pm

    Going to sushi in a week with a girlfriend and was kind of thinking, “Hmm…” Now I’m thinking, “Mmmm…” That my friend, was the dorkiest comment ever.

  • Anne @thefitbridesmaid August 21, 2010, 1:53 pm

    I am so sad that you are allergic to avocado! Guacamole is AMAZING! 🙁
    At least you can still navigate and adapt! HAVE AN AWESOME WEEKEND WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat August 21, 2010, 2:00 pm

    I always wondered why you never featured avocados or guacamole in your blog! Now I know 🙂 At least you get to enjoy things like cheese pizza!’

    I do have to say that all this focus on edameme is making me curious…I may have to try it soon!

  • Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun August 21, 2010, 2:25 pm

    Wow – I never knew you were allergic to avocados…sorry to hear that you have a bad reaction to it. Your dinner still looked yummy though! 🙂

  • Katrina August 21, 2010, 2:28 pm

    What a perfectly timed post. I’m also allergic to avocado and tree nuts and the alike (and vegetarian). Dearly missing sushi after not having it for four years, I was considering going to a sushi restaurant while I was home. But, alas, I decided to make my own cucumber and peppers california rolls last night instead!
    And though I got weird looks from my brother (loves both avocado and fish) and my mom (hates seaweed – it’s not a food!), they were delicious. Plus, I still have a few more for dinner tonight. 🙂
    Soybeans have been a staple at my house for years, so delicious!

  • Gracie (complicated day) August 21, 2010, 2:54 pm

    If I had an allergy to avocados I would just end my life now.

  • Lauren @ Girlwiththepinkhat.blogspot.com August 21, 2010, 2:59 pm

    Interesting choices at the sushi place. I will have to try that salad next time.

  • Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up August 21, 2010, 3:02 pm

    Looks like you’re having a great time! 🙂

  • Elliott August 21, 2010, 3:35 pm

    I’m also allergic to avocado – it blows! I developed it over time so I know what I’m missing!

  • erica August 21, 2010, 3:36 pm

    looks like a lot of fun! you know you had a good night on the town when pizza at 3am is involved!!! ;p

  • Sana August 21, 2010, 3:43 pm

    I swear pizza tastes better at 3am 🙂 We may or may not have done this at HLS :)!

  • Nicci August 21, 2010, 3:44 pm

    Thanks for reminding me I haven’t eaten sushi in forever. I think it’s now part of my weekend agenda.

  • Laura (spokesnoats) August 21, 2010, 3:46 pm

    Morimoto is another really good Japanese restaurant in Philly.

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) August 21, 2010, 3:49 pm

    Ugh…being allergic to avocado would make things hard, huh? Looks like you were still able to order some plates of deliciousness though. Everything looks (and sounds) yummy! 😀

  • Tina August 21, 2010, 4:13 pm

    You and Angela are just proving that you can make things work at restaurants. You just have to be creative and open to different options. Everything looked great too. Although I am a die hard sushi fan.

  • Brooke - One Healthy Cookie August 21, 2010, 4:35 pm

    I hate food allergies! I am really allergic to melon, and can’t even eat fruit that has touched it. It’s nice to see you being creative in your food choice in restaurants to accommodate your allergies and dietary choices.

  • Michelle August 21, 2010, 4:42 pm

    Aww sorry about the allergy! but what you ordered definitely made up for it! 😉 what exactly is edamame?

    • Caitlin August 21, 2010, 4:54 pm

      soybeans in the pod!

  • Neen @ Broad Bean to Runner Bean August 21, 2010, 4:56 pm

    looks like a lovely meal and a fab night!

  • christina cadden August 21, 2010, 5:45 pm

    Sorry about your allergies. I love avocado and can even imagine being allergic. Your food choices look amazing though!

  • katie @runthislife August 21, 2010, 6:36 pm

    It looks like you are off to a great start! I, too, can’t imagine having an avacado allergy- that would make me too sad! I LOVED the looks of your late-night pizza! With football season around the corner, I am looking forward to a few late-night treats!

  • scargosun August 21, 2010, 6:38 pm

    yum! If you do pizza again, Lorenzo’s on South Street is VERY good late nite pizza. You may have gotten that last night…I’ve only picked up slices late at night so I don’t know what a whole pie looks like. 😉

  • Cyndi @ Weightless Life August 21, 2010, 6:53 pm

    The post where you talk about “Eating Animals” by Jonathon Safran Foer made me run out and get the book, and about half-way through I switched to being vegetarian. Thanks for the advice on how to eat out in restaurants.

    • Caitlin August 21, 2010, 7:47 pm

      Congrats on going veg!!!

  • Holly B August 21, 2010, 8:06 pm

    Gosh i <3 philly 🙂 where was the pizza from??

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) August 21, 2010, 8:26 pm

    Mmmmm, pizza at 3 a.m. is the best!!!

  • Lisa August 21, 2010, 9:23 pm

    What a bummer! I am so glad I’m not allergic to any food. I LOVE sushi!!! 🙂

  • maria @ Chasing the Now August 22, 2010, 8:07 am

    I totally understand you about the food allergy problem. I’m quite allergic to fresh pineapple and kiwi–and you’d be surprised some of the things you can find pineapple in.

    I’m learning to be more careful and check ingredients.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat August 22, 2010, 12:05 pm

    Thank goodness for me, I don’t really have any food allergies (well none that I’ve discovered yet!) which is great because I have recently fallen in love with California rolls. All of your food looks delicious!

  • Robyn @ Wannabe Writer Runner August 22, 2010, 5:56 pm

    I love Haru!! I don’t think I ever realized you were allergic to avocado but come to think of it you never have it in your dishes. Cross contamination allergies are so weird. I’m allergice (sorta) to apple, cherry, peach, pear and peanut which are all in the same family.

  • Rebekah August 22, 2010, 10:47 pm

    I’m allergic to avocados/latex/mango/banana…everything with natural latex in it too!

  • Linda August 23, 2010, 3:31 pm

    I’ve been allergic to latex since I had my son 12 years ago, but just recently developed an allergic reaction to avocados and found out they are related…I was so surprised! It stinks because I LOVE avocados, but they make my stomach hurt so bad, it’s just not worth eating them. Thank goodness I have not had any reactions to mangos or bananas (yet)!

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