Chinese Buffets (thai And Indian Food Too)

[Guest The Weasel]

Being college kids, my friends and I are big on chinese buffets and take out. I used to eat crab rangoons, general tso's, and egg drop soup. Now, I guess the only thing out of those three I can eat are the egg drop soup. I've been reading the other threads about chinese food but most of them deal with actual restaurants that have more of a selection of REAL food. The same goes for Thai and Indian food. I love Pad Thai. Is it safe? Also, Chicken Tikka?

I was wondering what all I could really eat at a chinese buffet. Aside from plain steamed rice. Same with Thai and Indian buffets/restaurants.

Everytime I try the search function it doesn't bring me up with much. So I apologize if this was already posted somewhere I didn't see. All I could find was the PF Chang stuff and they're more expensive and the closest one is like thirty-five minutes away.

[pixiegirl]

The problem is there isn't a simple answer to your questions... its individual to each restaurant. You have to go to places that are near you and start working with the owner or manager to see if anything is gluten-free and about cross contamination issues. At my favorite Thai restaurant they don't speak enough english for me to feel comfortable with eating there. I just got some dining cards with Thai on them so I'm hoping this will help, I really miss my Thai food fix.

I've had virtually no luck with Chinese but in Boston there are a few Thai places that seem to get it. (Boston is an hour plus away from me on Cape Cod but I go there to shop a lot).

So I'm afraid you will have to start investigating your local haunts.

Susan

[Guest laughs8]

Agreed; each restaurant is different and half won't really be able to understand your questions about gluten. From my experience, you've got a better chance of getting sick at a Chinese buffet than a Thai one; Chinese food seems to use more thickeners and batters than Thai, and also more wheat noodles.

[judy05]

Agreed; each restaurant is different and half won't really be able to understand your questions about gluten. From my experience, you've got a better chance of getting sick at a Chinese buffet than a Thai one; Chinese food seems to use more thickeners and batters than Thai, and also more wheat noodles.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I eat at a local Chinese restaurant. I always order plain rice, shrimp, chicken and broccoli and ask them to hold the sauces. It is very good steamed. You could bring gluten-free soy sauce with you or any other kind you want. They are very understanding and I don't even tell them anymore, they already know. I tried the pork fried rice, which I love but I got a little woozy afterwards, won't do that again. It's hard to read labels because they are all in Chinese

[tarnalberry]

Being college kids, my friends and I are big on chinese buffets and take out.  I used to eat crab rangoons, general tso's, and egg drop soup.  Now, I guess the only thing out of those three I can eat are the egg drop soup.  I've been reading the other threads about chinese food but most of them deal with actual restaurants that have more of a selection of REAL food.  The same goes for Thai and Indian food.  I love Pad Thai.  Is it safe?  Also, Chicken Tikka?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It absolutely, totally depends on the restaurant. Even the egg drop soup may not be safe. (The chinese restaurant where I used to live used broth that had gluten - I found out the hard way.) You have to ask them about the ingredients in all of their dishes - any of those could contain gluten.

[dogear]

Coconut curries are good in thai. Another possibility is that Pad Thai could easily be made gluten free if there is no wheat containing soy sauce and if they use rice pasta. All reasonable requests at the right restaurant.

Indian food is often quite good if it comes from an unprocessed place.