Shellfish Allergy at Sushi Restaurants: How to Order

Sushi restaurants are high-risk for shellfish allergy. Shrimp, crab, scallop, clams and sea urchin are everywhere, and counters share boards, knives, hands and fryers. You can still eat safely with preparation — or decide a restaurant isn't safe enough.

How to order. Before: declare the allergy in writing when you book. At the table: repeat it to the chef or manager. Avoid: shrimp, crab, scallop, clams, uni, tempura from shared fryers, and dashi or sauces that may contain shellfish. If in doubt: don't eat it.

Where shellfish hides

Obvious: ebi, amaebi, botan ebi, crab, scallop (hotate), clams, uni. Less obvious: imitation crab (may contain crustacean extract), tempura fried in shared oil, miso soup with clams or shrimp heads, sauces and dressings, garnishes of shrimp roe or dried shrimp.

Cross-contact

At a sushi counter, one chef handles every piece with the same hands, board and knife. Belt restaurants share lanes and plates. Ask whether the chef can clean the board and knife and change gloves — and whether they're confident they can serve you safely.

Omakase with an allergy

Tell the restaurant at booking. Counters buy fish for the day, so notice lets them plan substitutions. Some counters can do a shellfish-free menu; others will say honestly they can't. See can you request substitutions.

Carry a card in Chinese and Japanese. "I have a severe shellfish allergy (甲殼類海鮮過敏 / 甲殻類アレルギー). No shrimp, crab, scallop, clams or sea urchin."

Lower-risk choices: fish sashimi prepared on a clean board · cucumber or avocado rolls · tamago — always confirmed with staff.

Severe allergy? Carry your prescribed adrenaline auto-injector and follow your doctor's plan. If a restaurant can't guarantee safety, eat elsewhere.

Common questions

Can I eat sushi with a shellfish allergy?

Often, with care — but cross-contact is a real risk.

Does imitation crab contain shellfish?

It can. Check the label or ask.

Where else can I look?

See scallop sushi and shrimp guide.

Compiled by our editorial team from allergy-awareness practice, Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety and Department of Health guidance, Tokyo Metropolitan Government food safety information, Codex references and product information, retrieved September 2026. This is general information, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, have an allergy or a medical condition, follow your doctor's advice.