What was this ingredient?

[Darkdiamond]

My friend invited me to her home for some home made South East Asian food. It was absolutely delicious but something happened to me as I was eating it. My nose blocked up, like suddenly and drastically. One moment I could breathe easily though my nose and the next I couldn't sniff at all; then my nose started pouring like a tap. The next day, my face was all quite swollen, especially around my eyes. I drank copious amounts of water and it took the full day for my face to go back to normal. It was a week ago and I've been strangely snotty ever since.

I know this wasn't a cold as it happened in a few seconds, one minute I was fine and the next I wasn't. It felt like I had a reaction. I eat chilli and I'm always OK (spicy foods are normally fine). I used to have a similar reaction when I drank wine (I don't drink alcohol at all any more) and my nose would totally block up leaving me with a swollen face the next day.

I don't want to risk offending my friend by asking. Her food was absolutely stunning but I think something set me off and I don't know if there is an ingredient used in South East Asian cuisine that is known for causing allergies or being full of histamine (this is what it felt like). I'd obviously like to know if I have an intolerance to something for future reference.

Any ideas?

Hello OP. I hope you can find out the ingredient and let us know what it was.

I had a very similar reaction years ago in a very fine Asian food restaurant in NYC. I suspect it was monosodium glutamate or sesame seed oil, to which I am both allergic. I am also allergic to penicillin and cats, but not wine, thank goodness !

The next time you have such a reaction you should head straight to a&e!
Do take this seriously. Allergic reactions can be deadly.

The fish/shellfish allergy seems likely especially if you have also reacted to wine as that can sometimes have traces of fish in it (isinglass).

It's not msg

https://www.godlessmom.com/post/yes-your-aversion-to-msg-might-be-racist

Sounds very much like a mild reaction to a fish product. It comes in many forms in Sri Lankan cooking. Are you sure it was all Lankan food and nothing else?.

Your friend would rather know and then you can avoid in the future.

I live in Sri Lanka.

Also if you can have an allergic reaction that severe you probably need an epi pen. Talk to your GP.

Erm, that wasn't a mild reaction. That was quite a bad reaction.

Im familiar with sri Lankan food. You mentioned aubergine. There is a famous dish called "Batu moju" made using aubergine.
They add coconut vinegar for this recipe. Reading your other posts I feel that's your allergen.
Coconut vinegar is associated with a liquor called "Arrack" which is producing in Sri Lanka.

Someone mentioned maldive fish, which isn't a shellfish.

Bingo.
Wambotu moju! It was around that time my nose stuffed up, when I started eating that I mean.
It was delicious 😢