Japan coach Philippe Troussier isn't asking for haute cuisine, but he is ruling out some favourite fare for his squad ahead of the soccer World Cup tournament.

Curry and "ramen" noodles" -- too spicy.

Beef and tempura -- too fatty.

Instead, the Frenchman has instructed the top chef at the Japan soccer team's training camp to serve up plenty of carbohydrates, including vegetables and bread.

A spokesman for Katsuragi Kitanomaru, the Japanese-style resort where the team starts practice for the May 31-June 30 soccer tournament from Tuesday, said no one was surprised at Troussier's minute attention to the menu.

"This is a big project so we thought there would be lots of detailed instructions," sias the teams spokesman.

Cooks at the resort are also being extra careful about hygiene to prevent the most invidious of foes -- food poisoning, he said.

Japan play Belgium, Russia and Tunisia in Group H in what was regarded as a "negotiable" passage to the second round until a 3-0 defeat by Norway last week gave the Asian champions a reality check.