Enjoy a Delicious, Allergy-Friendly Dining Experience in Moriyama

Introduction: For a Worry-Free Dining Experience in Moriyama

To our local guests in Moriyama and those visiting from afar, thank you always for your patronage. Located in Umedacho, just a short walk from Moriyama Station, our restaurant offers fresh fish caught this morning and delivered direct from the port, Shiga's renowned Omi beef, and a selection of over 25 types of sake. As a robatayaki izakaya, we strive daily to enhance your gatherings in Moriyama, banquets, and family moments.

As a Moriyama izakaya, our mission is to provide delicious food and a comfortable atmosphere, but what we value even more is the peace of mind of each and every customer. We take inquiries about food allergies, which have become more frequent in recent years, very seriously and have implemented various countermeasures. We want everyone, from children to adults with allergies, to enjoy dining out without worry. It is with this commitment that we introduce our initiatives.

For families with children who have allergies, dining out can often involve special preparations and concerns. As a family-friendly izakaya in Moriyama, we do our utmost to be a place where such families can feel completely at ease.

Living with Allergies: The Challenges of Dining Out and Our Commitment

Food allergies are a growing societal issue. According to a survey by the Consumer Affairs Agency, the proportion of people diagnosed with a food allergy is about 5-10% for infants and 3-5% for school-aged children and older, making it a concern for many. Furthermore, survey results indicate that approximately 48% of the entire population is worried about food allergies, a figure that the restaurant industry cannot ignore.

For customers with allergies, dining out can often mean limited choices and persistent anxiety about the food being served. Worries like, Does this dish contain my allergen? or Could there be accidental cross-contamination? can diminish the joy of a meal. This can be especially true during a Moriyama drinking party or when enjoying a Moriyama banquet course, where guests may feel hesitant to speak up.

Our mission is to provide delicious food and a wonderful time. It is not our intention for this to be hindered by the barrier of allergies. We are constantly thinking about what we can do to be a place where every single customer can relax and smile with confidence. As a Moriyama izakaya with private rooms, we also offer a private environment where you can consult with us without hesitation.

Building Trust with Our Customers: Our Concrete Allergy-Friendly Measures

To ensure our customers can safely enjoy our Omi beef, fresh fish caught this morning, and extensive selection of over 25 types of sake, we have implemented the following specific allergy-friendly measures.

Detailed Allergen Information and Communication

• Clear Menu Labeling: All our standard menu items clearly indicate the presence or absence of the 7 specified raw materials (eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, shrimp, crab) and the 21準-specified raw materials. This information is consistently managed and kept up-to-date.
• Thorough Staff Training: We conduct regular training on allergy awareness to ensure all staff understand its importance and can accurately answer customer questions. Over the past year, we have dedicated more than 50 hours to training, including customer service simulations.
• Diligent Confirmation at Ordering: We have a system in place to ask customers directly about the presence and details of any allergies when they order. For course meals or large Moriyama banquets, consulting with us in advance allows for more detailed preparation.

Use of Dedicated Kitchenware and Spaces

• Separation of Cooking Areas: Within our kitchen, we physically separate, as much as possible, the areas where major allergens like wheat flour are handled from the areas where allergy-friendly meals are prepared. This reduces the risk of unintentional cross-contamination.
• Use of Dedicated Utensils: When an allergy-friendly request is made, we use dedicated cutting boards, knives, bowls, and pans whenever possible to minimize the risk of allergen contamination. This is a crucial process, especially for preventing cross-contamination with other ingredients when handling our fresh seafood direct from the fishing port.
• Thorough Cleaning and Management: After use, all cooking utensils and tableware are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized using specific methods and are carefully managed to ensure no allergens remain. When serving, we will clearly distinguish these items from other tableware.

Proposing Alternative Ingredients and Flexible Menu Changes

• Ingredient Substitutions: We proactively suggest changing ingredients according to a customer's allergy. For example, for a guest who cannot eat a specific type of seafood, we can suggest another option from our fresh fish caught this morning, or we can adjust a sauce to be egg-free.
• Creation of Special Menus: With advance notice, we can create a special menu based on the customer's allergy information, to the best of our ability. As a family-friendly izakaya in Moriyama, this is an area we are particularly focused on, so that children can also enjoy their meals safely. In the past six months, we have provided custom-tailored special menus for approximately 20 groups of customers, receiving high praise.
• Consideration for Seasonings: We also take great care with details, such as considering the use of low-allergen or alternative basic seasonings like soy sauce and miso. Please feel free to consult with us if you have an allergy to a specific seasoning.

Practical Steps for a Safe Experience: From Arrival to Departure

Here are the practical steps to help you smoothly utilize our allergy-friendly services. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

1. At Reservation/Arrival: Sharing Allergy Information
   • When making a reservation, please provide detailed information about the allergies of those dining (the 7 specified raw materials, the 21 quasi-specified items, and any other notes). Especially if you are considering a Moriyama banquet course or a private buyout in Moriyama, letting us know at least three days in advance will help streamline preparations.
   • Upon your arrival, our staff will confirm the allergy information again. In addition to a verbal explanation, providing a memo or an allergy list can help ensure more accurate information sharing.
2. When Ordering: Menu Confirmation and Consultation
   • Please check the allergen information listed on the menu. If anything is unclear, ask our staff immediately.
   • If you have questions about a particular dish, please don't hesitate to ask. The person in charge will explain the cooking method and ingredients in detail.
   • We will propose ingredient changes or alternatives based on your allergy needs. We will consider accommodations for our Omi beef dishes and our seasonal seafood direct from the fishing port to the extent possible.
3. During Cooking/Serving: Utmost Care and Confirmation
   • Our kitchen staff will thoroughly share the allergy information received from you and prepare your meal with the utmost care. During the cooking process, we will minimize the risk of cross-contamination by using dedicated utensils and ensuring physical separation.
   • To prevent mix-ups, allergy-friendly dishes may be served with a special marker to clearly distinguish them from other dishes.
   • When serving your meal, we will confirm with you again that it is the allergy-friendly dish. If you have any concerns at that time, please let us know immediately.
4. During and After Your Meal: Continuous Support
   • If you have any concerns during your meal, please notify our staff right away. We will respond promptly.
   • As a Moriyama izakaya with tatami and private rooms, we offer a private space where you can relax. Since we welcome many families, we also provide children's tableware and chairs.
   • As you leave, we would love to hear any feedback or requests you may have. Your voice helps us improve.

To Our Guests in Moriyama: Our Continued Commitment to Safety and Flavor

As a Moriyama izakaya, we aspire to be more than just a place to eat for those seeking delicious seafood near Moriyama Station, those wanting to drink to their heart's content at an Umedacho izakaya, and those looking to savor our selection of over 25 types of sake. We want to be your special place.

A food allergy is vital information unique to each customer, and we take this responsibility seriously, continuing to provide the best possible support. While achieving perfect allergy management is extremely challenging and we cannot guarantee 100% safety, we will never cease in our efforts to alleviate our customers' anxieties and help them enjoy their meal with peace of mind. We are constantly striving to improve safety through regular staff training and reviews of our cooking processes.

To any customer who thinks, I've given up on dining out because of my allergies... we sincerely hope you will consult with us, your family-friendly izakaya in Moriyama, just once. Please, enjoy the rich flavor of Omi beef, the incredible taste of fresh fish caught this morning and delivered direct from the fishing port, and the rich profiles of our carefully selected 25+ types of sake, all without worry. Whether it's for a private buyout in Moriyama or a cherished gathering with a Moriyama banquet course, we will work with you to create the perfect experience.

Your smiles and comments like That was delicious! and I could relax and enjoy myself! are our greatest joy. Our entire staff sincerely looks forward to welcoming you.