He probably thought he would get one of the seven different allergen free meals they list on their website:
https://www.ana.co.jp/wws/ca/e/asw_common/departure/inflight/spmeal/allergy-07.html
When i fly I always ask for a special meal. Usually vegan or kosher. I’m neither vegan nor Jewish. And I always get it. And its usually delicious.
