These foods cause 90% of allergic reactions in Australia. As FOH staff, you must know them and be able to identify them on the RaRa menu.
Also declarable: Lupin (found in some breads) and Sulphites (in dried foods and wines, when 10mg/kg or more).
Ramen is a high-risk cuisine — a single bowl can contain multiple allergens. Here are the RaRa-specific details you must know:
| Menu Item / Ingredient | Contains | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Ramen noodles | Wheat, Eggs | All standard noodles contain wheat and egg |
| Soy sauce / Shoyu tare | Wheat, Soy | Shoyu tare is soy sauce — contains both wheat and soy |
| Miso tare base | Soy, Sesame | Miso is soy-based; the miso tare also contains sesame |
| Chicken Tantanmen | Peanuts, Tree Nuts | Contains nuts in the sauce — NOT safe for nut-allergic guests |
| Tokyo-Style Chintan | Fish (niboshi/sardine) | Contains niboshi (dried sardine) in the broth |
| Truffle Karaage Mazesoba | Dairy (parmesan) | The only RaRa dish with dairy — none of the ramens contain dairy |
| Gyozas | Wheat, Eggs | Processed in a nut factory — may contain tree nuts |
| Chilli oil / Black garlic oil / Chilli jam | Sesame | All contain sesame — hidden allergen |
| Oyster sauce | Molluscs | Used in most ramens — cannot be removed from standard recipes |
| Mazesoba (all varieties) | Fish (mackerel powder) | Contains mackerel powder — not safe for fish allergy |
| Dashi / Broth base | Fish | Bonito-based; most broths contain fish |
| Garlic | — | Cannot be removed from most dishes. Vegan Shio is the only garlic-free option. |
These distinctions matter because they affect which dishes you can safely recommend:
Peanuts and tree nuts are different allergens. A guest allergic to peanuts only may be safe with tree nuts (and vice versa). At RaRa:
"Shellfish" is not a single allergen. You must clarify:
For guests with a mollusc allergy:
Gluten is one of the most common allergen requests. At RaRa, standard noodles and soy sauce contain wheat. Here are the safe alternatives:
RaRa has two allergen matrices and you must know both:
| Matrix | What It Shows | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| NAC National Matrix | Standard allergen declarations for each menu item (contains / may contain) | First check — identify which allergens are in which dishes |
| RaRa Restaurant Matrix | What can and can't be removed from each dish | Second check — determine if modifications are possible |
A guest declares a soy allergy. At RaRa, this is extremely challenging because soy sauce (Shoyu tare) is in most broths, marinades, and tare. You must check the allergen matrix carefully and be honest with the guest about which dishes can be safely modified and which cannot. Never promise a soy-free dish you can't guarantee.
Never assume. Even though tonkotsu is pork-based, the broth may contain dashi, fish sauce, or bonito. Check the allergen matrix and confirm with the kitchen if needed.
Ask: "Is it just peanuts, or all nuts?" If peanut-only, the gyoza may be safe (processed in a nut factory but no peanuts — check with the chef). The Chicken Tantanmen is NOT safe as it contains peanuts.
Click each card to reveal the answer.
1. A guest with a fish allergy orders tonkotsu ramen. What must you do?
2. A guest says they're allergic to peanuts only (not tree nuts). Can they have the gyoza?
3. A guest with a mollusc allergy wants ramen. What can you offer?
4. Where can a guest find allergen information when ordering via QR code?