Chinese?

[HAK1031]

Hi! I'm kinda new to the whole celiac thing, and for dinner tonight, my parents are getting chinese takeout. They're ordering over the phone, so I can't really explain or ask about ingredients very well. I'm not sensitive enough to really be worried about cross contamination, but I can't have normal soy sauce, and obivously no flour in sauces, rice, etc. What are some options that are pretty much guaranteed to be gluten free? I've been glutened twice in the past four days (thanksgiving meals I don't cook myself...), so I really don't want to get sick.

[blueeyedmanda]

I don't want to say this and be taken the wrong way.....CC should be a major issue whether you think you are sensitive or not. If you have been glutened twice in the past few days, I am not sure I would risk the chinese tonight. If it was me anyway. Chinese food is very tricky for celiacs, because of the soy sauce containing wheat...and it is not easy to explain over the phone, I agree with you there. Is there something else you can do for dinner tonight instead?

Could they get you some take-out from Outback, Chili's or another place. there are some major chains that have gluten free menus, Chili's and Outback are two of the few.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Plain white rice would be the only thing I'd get if I haven't been to the place before. Also, cross contamination is eating gluten. It still does damage. I'd rather eat something full of gluten than eat something gluten-free that's corss contaminated. Good luck!

[loraleena]

Find a PF Changs. They have a gluten free menu and in Boston they have a dedicated gluten free section in the kitchen.

[Joanne11]

I ask for steamed chicken and veggies, no sauce. Then put my own sauce on when it comes. You can do it with shrimp too. I usually don't get very far asking questions and trying to explain the situation at take out places.

[jkmunchkin]

I have to agree with blueeyedmanda. Maybe the reason you have been glutened twice in the last 4 days is because you think that you don't need to be worried about cross contamination. Once most people become gluten free, their sensitivity level to even the most minute amount of gluten becomes much higher.

Chinese food is the one cuisine that I will not eat unless the restaurant has a gluten free menu.

[tarnalberry]

the only thing I'll get in an unknown chinese restaurant is steamed shrimp w/ veggies, no sauce. I've actually had problems when it was steamed chicken, before. a broth issue, I think.

[skyepie]

Do you have a Pei Wei Asian Diner (the fast-food chain owned by PF Changs), Big Bowl, or a Chin's Asia Fresh? All 3 of those have gluten-free menus.

I too don't trust "cheap Chinese" take-out, though it was my favorite in my former life. Especially the places that were hole-in-the-wall joints where the workers didn't speak English! mmmm, now I'm salivating!

[home-based-mom]

Better late than never?

My experience is the typical Chinese Restaurant (I grew up eating Cantonese in Seattle coached by my dad's co-worker who was an escaped refugee!) is all sauce is thickened with corn starch and for all intents and purposes, not an issue.

However, most restaurants use brands of soy sauce that contain wheat, and because soy sauce is used in or on almost everything, can be a real issue.

Unless you are very familiar with the place and maybe even know the owners and staff, you are better off eating something else. (Too late now, but keep in mind for next time . . )

Cross-contamination really is a problem that can make you sick. Gluten is gluten is gluten, whether it is a direct ingredient of what you eat, or got there "artificially" by way of a utensil, some other equipment, or "blowing in the wind."