How to Prevent Food Poisoning in Southeast Asia

Taking precautions can significantly reduce the chances of falling ill. Especially for children who are not accustomed to traveling abroad, make sure to take proper measures! Getting food poisoning during a trip can ruin your plans—sometimes you might not even be able to leave the hotel, or you may have to cancel tours with multiple stops. Be extra cautious, especially if it's your first time visiting! ＼5 Tips That Savvy Travelers Follow／ ① Ask for drinks without ice. ② Wipe utensils with disinfectant wipes before eating. ③ Clean the mouth of bottled or canned drinks. ④ Only eat at food stalls frequented by local Japanese residents. ⑤ Always carry hand sanitizer. ① Ask for drinks without ice. This is a common precaution among seasoned travelers. The less developed the country, the higher the chances of getting sick, even at seemingly clean restaurants. Be cautious. Even if the drink is made with mineral water or safe juice, the ice is often made from tap water. To be safe, always ask for no ice. "No ice, please." This simple phrase is enough to communicate your request. Teaching it to your kids and letting them interact with the staff can also be a fun experience! ② Wipe utensils with disinfectant wipes before eating. This is a must, especially at local eateries or beach resorts! From personal experience, just doing this significantly reduces the chances of falling ill. Contaminated cutlery is a common cause of food poisoning, so don't worry about appearing rude in front of the staff—just make sure to wipe everything thoroughly. ③ Clean the mouth of bottled or canned drinks. Even if the drink itself is safe, the exterior might not be. Always wipe the part that comes into direct contact with your mouth before drinking! When I lived in the Philippines, I would wash everything I bought before storing it. Even local Filipinos pointed this out to me as a good practice. If you don't have anything to wipe with or feel unsure, using a straw is a good alternative. When giving drinks to kids, I make sure to wipe the entire bottle or can before handing it to them. ④ Only eat at food stalls frequented by local Japanese residents. This is where I made the most mistakes. I wanted to enjoy all the street food without worrying, but it led to many unpleasant experiences. When traveling, it's easy to adopt an "anything goes" mindset. However, even local Japanese residents avoid certain roadside stalls or ultra-local restaurants due to hygiene concerns. Ask Japanese expats you meet during your trip for recommendations on safe places to eat and what to avoid. Also, learn their criteria for judging the hygiene of a place. Hygiene standards vary across Southeast Asia. Personally, I am always extra cautious in the Philippines. In other countries, the further you go from tourist areas, the more careful you need to be. Even in big cities like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, hygiene can deteriorate quickly as you move away from the city center. This is especially important to keep in mind when traveling with children. The more I travel around the world, the more I realize the importance of taking precautions. While I initially thought I wouldn't need to bother, my experiences have taught me otherwise.