Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com!
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Gluten Free Chinese Food


Nick-incollege

Recommended Posts

Nick-incollege Rookie

What do you guys usually get at a chinese place, and what type of things do you watch out for?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



cyclinglady Grand Master

Chinese people who do not speak English well! Seriously, we attempted to eat in China town in San Francisco, but could not find a restaurant that really understood Our gluten-free needs. This was last year and now we check out websites recommended by folks with celiac disease. We have eaten at PF Chang's successfully and even though they have a good reputation, I still grill the manager. We have a local Chinese restaurant, but if the manager is not in, we leave. The cooks are Chinese and do not speak English well and the rest of the staff are not gluten-free savvy and Spanish is their first language.

Luckily, one of my best friends is Chinese and her Dad, a retired chef, cooks for us occasionally. That is the very best Chinese food I have ever eaten!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Adalaide Mentor

I'm going to second that. I would never, under any circumstances, eat somewhere where the people I was dealing with didn't speak fluent English. I suppose I would make an exception if I spoke a second language and could communicate effectively, but I don't. If I can't be sure that they understand my needs, I'm not going to risk my health for one meal. Sadly, at the time I was diagnosed there was no Chinese restaurant (that wasn't a chain) in my area that I enjoyed that had English speaking staff.

 

If you're going to insist, find out what brand of soy sauce they use. Keep in mind that if you watch all day, woks aren't always cleaned, they're often wiped out and just reused. So if their soy sauce has wheat, everything that goes in a wok is off limits. That probably just leaves white rice and steamed vegetables, at which point why are you paying someone to make you food you can microwave straight out of the freezer in it's own bag? (just my opinion of course)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 6 months later...
Georgia-guy Enthusiast

Why do I do this to myself? I'm taking an old friend out to lunch for her birthday during her lunch break...I told her to choose a place by her work that was good. I was expecting something like Chiles, Red lobster, O'Charleys, etc. little did I realize, the only things by her work are fast food. And the only good place is the Chinese place. :-/ I have not seen her since New Years, so she's not really aware of my Dx, and I don't want to be the person that says "I can't eat anything there" after telling her to choose. So here's the question, other than steamed veggies and rice, what CAN I eat? Is duck sauce gluten free? I know some things I can't eat, but there's many things I'm not sure about. (Chinese isn't my favorite food, so it's not been on my "need to research" list)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BlessedMommy Rising Star

Woks would not be safe for using between gluten free and regular items anyway. Woks get "seasoned" with regular use, so it seems that they would have the same CC issues as cast iron pans. 

 

Not Chinese, but I once went to a Thai restaurant and explained that I needed gluten free and asked what they had. They said, "Oh you're gluten free? The curry dish would be perfect for you. That's what we recommend for gluten free people."

 

I probed a little further on ingredients and they said, "Oh it's great for gluten free people because IT ONLY HAS A LITTLE SOY SAUCE." 

 

Needless to say, I found the door quickly and didn't get a meal there. Not sure why "a little gluten" is acceptable in a dish for a gluten free person. I'm sure that restaurant employee wouldn't eat a meal with "a little rat poison."

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BlessedMommy Rising Star

So here's the question, other than steamed veggies and rice, what CAN I eat? Is duck sauce gluten free? I know some things I can't eat, but there's many things I'm not sure about. (Chinese isn't my favorite food, so it's not been on my "need to research" list)

 

My suggestion is to go as simple as possible. I once went to a Chinese place without a gluten free menu and I simply ordered tofu, veggies, egg, and rice noodles--all plain without any seasoning whatsoever. I checked ingredients of the noodles and tofu with the server just to be sure.

I brought my own San-J gluten free soy sauce packets from home and I really enjoyed the meal. It was simple, but good. The less ingredients, the better. The more complicated the meal, the higher the chance of being glutened.

 

You could bring along a bottle of your own safe Chinese sauce. I like San-J sauces, they're tasty and certified gluten free.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BlessedMommy Rising Star

Open Original Shared Link

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Georgia-guy Enthusiast

I will have to look for some San-j sauce (I've never heard of it). But what about duck sauce? Would it be safe? Duck sauce was always my favorite part of getting Chinese.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Georgia-guy Enthusiast

Open Original Shared Link

Available at publix and (I think there's one nearby) food lion. :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BlessedMommy Rising Star

It appears that duck sauce is likely to be safe, but of course, all ingredients should be read every time. Is the restaurant good about providing ingredient lists to people who need them?

 

If you're unsure, you could bring along a bottle of your own duck sauce.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BlessedMommy Rising Star

Great! I'm glad that you have access to San-J. I love their stir fry sauces, it's nice to have something that is for sure gluten free for my stir fry, since many sauces have gluten.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Georgia-guy Enthusiast

I've never been to this one, and I can't find a website for them (mainly cuz I'm not sure the name of the place, I just know it's in the Kroger shopping center).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Georgia-guy Enthusiast

Great! I'm glad that you have access to San-J. I love their stir fry sauces, it's nice to have something that is for sure gluten free for my stir fry, since many sauces have gluten.

I had never heard of San j, so it will be a nice new guaranteed safe thing to try. Their website shows 7 different sauces, gonna have to look more to see if all are gluten-free, cuz I tend to mix it up in the kitchen (as in combine different cultural foods such as maybe Chinese sauce on some pasta).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BlessedMommy Rising Star

Right now, we have their spicy peanut sauce, mongolian beef sauce, and szechuan sauce in the house. I really like their orange sauce too, but I can't seem to find it in as many grocery stores.

 

I like to keep a few sauces on hand and cook the stir fry mostly plain and then my kids and husband season as desired from available sauces. Stir fry is such a great, easy, and versatile gluten-free meal!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Georgia-guy Enthusiast

What does the szechuan sauce taste like?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BlessedMommy Rising Star

Very, very hot! I don't care for it, but my husband likes it. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kenlove Rising Star

i just  order steamed  veggies and tofu at Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and all the other ethnic Asia places in Hawaii. Its safe and I bring my own sauce. Seeing      the kitchens in Chinese places will convince anyone that cross contamination possibilities are everywhere.

 

What do you guys usually get at a chinese place, and what type of things do you watch out for?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kenlove Rising Star

reminds me of  a new  Thai place in Kona. Tried to explain that I could not have  flour in anything and noodles had to be 100% rice no flour -- so he took the flower off the table!

 

Woks would not be safe for using between gluten free and regular items anyway. Woks get "seasoned" with regular use, so it seems that they would have the same CC issues as cast iron pans. 

 

Not Chinese, but I once went to a Thai restaurant and explained that I needed gluten free and asked what they had. They said, "Oh you're gluten free? The curry dish would be perfect for you. That's what we recommend for gluten free people."

 

I probed a little further on ingredients and they said, "Oh it's great for gluten free people because IT ONLY HAS A LITTLE SOY SAUCE." 

 

Needless to say, I found the door quickly and didn't get a meal there. Not sure why "a little gluten" is acceptable in a dish for a gluten free person. I'm sure that restaurant employee wouldn't eat a meal with "a little rat poison."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      121,069
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    angie78
    Newest Member
    angie78
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Fluka66
      Thank you again for your reply and comments which I have read carefully as I appreciate any input at this stage. I'm tending to listen to what my body wants me to do, having been in agony for many years any respite has been welcome and avoiding all wheat and lactose has thankfully brought this.  When in pain before I was seen by a number of gynacologists as I had 22 fibroids and had an operation 13 years ago to shrink them . However the pain remained and intensified to the point over the years where I began passing out. I was in and out of a&e during covid when waiting rooms where empty. My present diet is the only thing that's given me any hope for the future. As I say I had never heard of celiac disease before starting so I guess had this not come up in a conversation I would just have carried on. It was the swollen lymph node that sent me to a boots pharmacist who immediately sent me to a&e where a Dr asked questions prescribed antibiotics and then back to my GP. I'm now waiting for my hospital appointment . Hope this answers your question. I found out more about the disease because I googled something I wouldn't normally do, it did shed light on the disease but I also read some things that this disease can do. On good days I actually hope I haven't got this but on further investigation my mother's side of the family all Celtic have had various problems 're stomach pain my poor grandmother cried in pain as did her sister whilst two of her brother's survived WW2 but died from ulcers put down to stress of fighting.  Wishing you well with your recovery.  Many thanks  
    • knitty kitty
      Welcome to the forum, @Nacina, What supplements is your son taking?
    • knitty kitty
      @BluegrassCeliac, I'm agreeing.  It's a good thing taking magnesium. And B vitamins. Magnesium and Thiamine work together.  If you supplement the B vitamins which include Thiamine, but don't have sufficient magnesium, Thiamine won't work well.  If you take Magnesium, but not Thiamine, magnesium won't work as well by itself. Hydrochlorothiazide HCTZ is a sulfonamide drug, a sulfa drug.  So are proton pump inhibitors PPIs, and SSRIs. High dose Thiamine is used to resolve cytokine storms.  High dose Thiamine was used in patients having cytokine storms in Covid infections.  Magnesium supplementation also improves cytokine storms, and was also used during Covid. How's your Vitamin D? References: Thiamine and magnesium deficiencies: keys to disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25542071/ Hiding in Plain Sight: Modern Thiamine Deficiency https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8533683/ The Effect of a High-Dose Vitamin B Multivitamin Supplement on the Relationship between Brain Metabolism and Blood Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress: A Randomized Control Trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6316433/ High‐dose Vitamin B6 supplementation reduces anxiety and strengthens visual surround suppression https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9787829/ Repurposing Treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome for Th-17 Cell Immune Storm Syndrome and Neurological Symptoms in COVID-19: Thiamine Efficacy and Safety, In-Vitro Evidence and Pharmacokinetic Profile https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33737877/ Higher Intake of Dietary Magnesium Is Inversely Associated With COVID-19 Severity and Symptoms in Hospitalized Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9132593/ Magnesium and Vitamin D Deficiency as a Potential Cause of Immune Dysfunction, Cytokine Storm and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in covid-19 patients https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7861592/ Sulfonamide Hypersensitivity https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31495421/
    • BluegrassCeliac
      Hi,   Not saying Thiamine (B1) couldn't be an issue as well, but Mg was definitely the cause of my problems. It's the only thing that worked. I supplemented with B vitamins, but that didn't change anything, in fact they made me sick. Mg stopped all my muscle pain (HCTZ) within a few months and fixed all the intestinal problems HCTZ caused as well. Mom has an allergy to some sulfa drugs (IgG Celiac too), but I don't think I've ever taken them. Mg boosted my energy as well. It solved a lot of problems. I take 1000mg MgO a day with no problems. I boost absorption with Vitamin D. Some people can't take MgO,  like mom, she takes Mg Glycinate. It's one of those things that someone has try and find the right form for themselves. Everyone's different. Mg deficiency can cause anxiety and is a treatment for it. A pharmacist gave me a list of drugs years ago that cause Mg deficiency: PPIs, H2 bockers, HCTZ, some beta blockers (metoprolol which I've taken -- horrible side effects), some anti-anxiety meds too were on it. I posted because I saw he was an IgG celiac. He's the first one I've seen in 20 years, other than my family. We're rare. All the celiacs I've met are IgA. Finding healthcare is a nightmare. Just trying to help. B  
    • Scott Adams
      It sounds like you've been through a lot with your son's health journey, and it's understandable that you're seeking answers and solutions. Given the complexity of his symptoms and medical history, it might be beneficial to explore a few avenues: Encourage your son to keep a detailed journal of his symptoms, including when they occur, their severity, any triggers or patterns, and how they impact his daily life. This information can be valuable during medical consultations and may help identify correlations or trends. Consider seeking opinions from specialized medical centers or academic hospitals that have multidisciplinary teams specializing in gastrointestinal disorders, especially those related to Celiac disease and Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE). These centers often have experts who deal with complex cases and can offer a comprehensive evaluation. Since you've already explored alternative medicine with a nutrition response doctor and a gut detox diet, you may want to consider consulting a functional medicine practitioner. They take a holistic approach to health, looking at underlying causes and imbalances that may contribute to symptoms. Given his low vitamin D levels and other nutritional markers, a thorough nutritional assessment by a registered dietitian or nutritionist specializing in gastrointestinal health could provide insights into any deficiencies or dietary adjustments that might help alleviate symptoms. In addition to routine tests, consider asking about more specialized tests that may not be part of standard screenings. These could include comprehensive stool analyses, food intolerance testing, allergy panels, or advanced imaging studies to assess gut health.
×
×
  • Create New...