Is teriyaki safe if you have a soy allergy?
Avoid
Teriyaki glaze is made from soy sauce, sake, and sugar — soy is the primary flavouring. Teriyaki dishes are unsafe for soy allergies.
Why this verdict
- Teriyaki sauce is built from soy sauce — there is no soy-free teriyaki in the traditional sense.
- The glaze is brushed on repeatedly during grilling, so removal after cooking is impossible.
- Bottled teriyaki sauces also contain soy as the main ingredient.
Watch out for
- Teriyaki chicken sandwiches — the bun and sauce both need checking.
- Chicken teriyaki bento boxes where the sauce drips onto rice and other compartments.
- Teriyaki-flavoured crisps or snacks — soy derivatives in the seasoning.
Safer alternatives
- Yakitori without tare (plain salt-grilled chicken, shio)
- Miso-glazed salmon — still contains soy
- Grilled chicken with ponzu sauce — ponzu also contains soy; ask for a citrus-only version
What to ask staff
- Is there a soy-free preparation for grilled chicken without teriyaki glaze?
- Can the kitchen use a tamari alternative? (Note: tamari also contains soy.)
Frequently asked
Is tamari soy-free?
No. Tamari is a style of soy sauce made with little or no wheat — it still contains soy. Tamari is useful for gluten-free diets but not for soy allergies.