So it’s been a while since I’ve updated, so here’s a quick lowdown on what’s been going on with my gluten free world recently!
Han Court, Fremington, Barnstaple - pic from http://www.hancourt.co.uk/index.aspx
On Friday night, my boyfriend’s Mum treated us to a Chinese take-away. Worriedly, I scoured the menu trying to find something which looked remotely gluten free. I always worry with the language barrier of some take-aways that I won’t be able to get my point across, but the people in Han Court, Barnstaple, were amazing.
They had a really good understanding of gluten, and knew I couldn’t eat soy sauce. They also checked if I could eat corn-flour and made me my own special batter for my Peppery Squid. They seemed pretty up on the contamination issue too, and though I always get an un easy feeling when I’m eating something I haven’t cooked, the food was delicious!
So here’s my top tips for ordering Chinese:
- Avoid soy sauce or ask them to use your own gluten-free one that you provide
- Avoid brown-coloured sauces which usually contain soy sauce.
- Most sauces are thickened with corn flour which is gluten free, so just double check.
- Avoid MSG which is sometimes not gluten free and generally should be avoided anyway in my opinion!
- Always opt for boiled or steamed rice as egg-fried contains soy sauce, unless they will do it especially for you.
If you do manage to bring along your own gluten free soy sauce, then Sanchi Tamari Soy Sauce is my favourite. I am yet to find a Chinese rather than Japanese soy sauce, though the difference I am exactly unsure of!
Overall, the most important factor is NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK, and definitely ENJOY!!
Thanks for highlighting a Chinese restaurant where it should be safe to eat. I also went out for Chinese last night for the first time in probably a year – I tend to stick to Thai which I find much more likely to be ‘safe’. Having explained what I couldn’t eat (I asked for beef stir fried with vegetables with steamed rice) The waitress asked several times, “what you don’t want a sauce??” Having repeated no, nothing, no soya sauce either. I really didn’t have any confidence the restaurant wouldn’t gluten me but I feel OK this morning so fingers crossed.
I’m impressed they made you a special batter for your peppery squid, sounds delicious!
Thats good that you managed to go out for a chinese and you’re feeling ok today! I find it is really easy to lose confidence in places like that with one bad experience! yes I was dubious when I first saw the batter but they assured me it was gluten free and I was fine afterwards!
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The bottom line has to don’t be afraid to ask but ensure the replies are confident and correct. Question again if you have any doubt. Our local chinese is a restaurant and takeaway and has every dish that is GF highlighted on the menu. Last time I called they even let me know which extra dishes I could now enjoy now they had changed some of the sauces to GF ! Perfect ! (it’s the Riverview Chinese in Knaresborough BTW)