Monday, July 24, 2017

The Gluten-free List (HK)

Gluten free ("GF") restaurants in HK
Just Salad, Soho Central (***)
Cafe on the 1st at the Excelsior, Causeway Bay (*****)
Life Cafe, Soho Central - vegan also (****)
Green Waffle Diner, SOHO Central and various outpost (****)
La Creperie, Wan Chai (*****)
Eat Right, SOHO Central (**)
Coast Bistro and Bar, Soho Central. Need to request specifically for GF meals (to try)
Sesame Kitchen offers gluten free cooking class in Sheung Wan
Taco Truck, Quarry Bay, Shop E, 22 Finnie Street (to try)
Munch, TST 1 Knutsford, Buckwheat pizza! (to try)

Organic / MSG free restaurants that hopefully understand our gluten free requests:
The Chairman, SOHO Central (*****)
Yin Yang, Ship Street - Wan Chai (*****) - Closed as of 2017. they make everything from scratch with love. At $680, you can be the King and make whatever allergy requests you have. Starting at $228 (set), lunches are more affordable. I think they have ala carte menu as well.
NaturoPlus, Wan Chai (*****) - Closed as of 2016. I was there last night. They understand the term "gluten-free". However, most dishes are not GF. I usually eat the Pork dish which is amazing. They changed the sauce to a cream sauce for me, but they said the pork was marinaded in Chicken Powder... To be 100% GF, you could order the steak, the chicken with olive oil, or the fish.
健味粥 Tam Keung's Congee (****), closed MSG & chicken powder free congee. Famous for its fresh fish & pork. The place is a bit quiet most of the times cuz it is located on a infamous drinking street (Tung Lung St) but it doens't serve alcohol... But the congee tastes like how I make it at home.
Tim's kitchen, the Michelin winner (*****).  Closed as of 2017. You can check with the waiter for the exact ingredients in each dish. They are always MSG-free but also confirms that your dishes are chicken powder free and soy sauce free. Note that in HK, most deep fried dishes are made with corn starch.
Original taste workshop 原味家作, various (**)
Xiyan 囍宴, various (**)

I haven't tried all of them but you could find information and reviews of them on openrice (available in Chinese and English).

Organic/natural food shops where I do my GF snack shopping:

Little Giant, Wan Chai (*****)
Health Gate, Central (***)
OrganicToHome, Soho (**)
Safforn Bakery, 24 Square Street, Sheung Wan (gluten free bread)
Healthy Delight, Soho 34-38 Stanley Street, 2/F (to try, has organic GF milk formulas)
Just Green, Soho Central, 52 Graham St
Green Earth Society, Sai Kung, See Cheung St
有機地Organic Land, Wan Chai (181 hennessy road), Tin Hau, Central (**) e.g. Gussie Auntie's cookies. See their online product listing
點點綠Green dot dot, 18 outlets - not GF focus (*)
綠盈坊O'farm, 12 outlets - not GF focus but may have some GF items (*)
Manna Organic Path of Health Ltd 177 Wan Chai Road. Also in Yuen Long, Kwun Tong, etc. (*). Not GF focus. Has Envirokidz rice crispy. Key product is coconut oil.
Healthy Delight delivery
SpiceBox Organics in Sai Ying Pun (Western district)
iDetox food store also has classes, workshops, etc.
General grocery stores with GF selections:
Oliver's Prince's building, Central (pricier) (****)
City'super, IFC Central, Times Square CWB, etc. (***)
Great, Pacific Place Admiralty (****)
Taste of Park n' Shop, various locations
International of Park n' Shop, various locations
Mark n Spencer, Central
Market Place by Jason's
Apita and Jusco, Taikoo Shing
Wellcome, various locations

Specialty shops with specific GF items:
Canadian Fine Foods (closed? I cant find them anymore) for delicious GF sausages, 3 Wan Chai Road (*****)
il Bel Paese for gluten free pasta and other italian ingredients. Queens Rd E Wan Chai near Star St (****)
NaturoPlus a restaurant that also do GF ordering delivery, Wan Chai
Mandarin Oriental HK, Central, GF bread at $68 4 slices (*****)
Ali Oli, Sai Kung, G/F, 11 Sha Tsui Path. Has GF bread with delivery. Also offers GF cakes!
cake2 Tin Hau 天后興發街 54號 - they seem to sell GF cake mix per magazine article in 2008
Xocai chocolate from Africa [to check]

GF dessert!!!
Riquiqui (closed), Central. Great after dinner hangout. (think Chickalicious in NYC). Call/email Amanda/Andrea in advance to order GF dessert like flourless chocolate cake, pavlova, ice-cream/gelato, etc. Friendly service and lovely atmosphere (****).... sadly closed....
Baking Maniac, online. Email ordering. GF cupcakes and other goodies. The chef & son pair is amazing. They are fluent in the allergy-language: egg-free / nut-free / gluten-free / milk-free, you name it. And their cupcakes taste as good as the regular ones! (*****)
Piece of cake (phone ordering. seems to be out of business)
Hagan Daz (some flavours)
Ben & Jerry (some flavours) - Times Square
Grassroots Pantry 12 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun, Western District - gluten free cookies!
Mana, 92 Wellington St Central also has gluten free desserts
Sweet Secrets 35 Graham St Central - gluten free cupcakes
Island Gourmet at the Shangri-la - GF version of their Chocolate Frou Frou
Sift Bakery can do GF cupcakes and some of their beautiful cakes like the feminine Ispahan
* I'll keep adding to this list. Please feel free to suggest.


Special thanks to everyone who left GF related message on geoexpat or else I could never find these amazing stores!

[Original post in 2010. Last updated: Jul 2013]

15 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for this list! I'm here in Hong Kong visiting from the USA and it's been really helpful!!

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  2. Thanks for the info! Some additions - Island Gourmet at the Shangri-la does a GF version of their Chocolate Frou Frou which is divine. Sift Bakery can do GF cupcakes and some of their beautiful cakes like the feminine Ispahan, if you order in advance. www.iherb.com has GF baking mixes and ships to HK at reasonable rates using DHL. My code TUN749 gets you $5 off.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks =) I've added them to the list!... finally!

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  3. This is great! Really appreciate the time and effort you have gone to share this with everyone. Blessings upon you!

    Namaste

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  4. Fantastic info. I'm about to move to HK to attend school, and now I have hope of surviving with my newly diagnosed gluten intolerance! I'm actually really excited now to see what options are out there and try the ones you've written about here. I can only imagine the hours you've spent in making these lists. Thank you SO much—I think I can speak for all of those who just haven't commented here yet...we are all grateful!

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  5. Hi there,

    Many thanks for sharing. I also like to share an experiences with Life Cafe. I have orderd GF pasta and as always repeated GF for several times to play safe. As pasta arrived I ate one small bite and instantly I noticed it wasn't GF. The waitress said I have not asked for GF. Outsiders just don't get it, as a GF allergy being the consequences of just a bite to non-GF will follow by weeks of discomfort. The GF alarm already imprinted to my brian how could I forget it is auto pilot? Life Cafe waitress: just admit your mistake please. I I never go back again.

    Be aware.
    Nat

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  6. This is a wonderful find thank you! Do you know if there are any other gf spots throughout China. I will be moving to China soon and any other advice or tips would be helpful.
    Thank you!

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  7. Tisha, Shanghai has quite a few options. I am not sure about Beijing or other cities. This article was just published in SH. http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/articles/blogs-shanghai/health-beauty/health-matters-going-gluten-free-shanghai/

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    1. Thanks Jaclyn! I've added a post for your link! =)

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  8. Hi, we offer full range of gluten free and diabetic friendly bakery pre-mix. 100% Australian made. We can deliver to home/office HKG. Email: ryanandox@gmail.com for details. Tks.

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  9. I was at Excelaior Cafe on the 1st last weekend. Their menu has gluten free items. For your information, excelsior is in the Mandarin Oriental group so it should be reliable.

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  10. The Cakery (at Landmark and Lee Garden Two) has a good range of gluten free cupcake, cookies and dessert! Can check their website out. www.thecakery.com

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  11. Great list! I'd add Food For Life as well which is a health food store - locations in Happy Valley, Wan Chai, Central, Wong Chuk Hang.. they have lots of gluten-free snacks, pasta and gluten-free certified supplements!

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  12. My friend mentioned to me your blog, so I thought I’d read it for myself. Very interesting insights, will be back for more!
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  13. Anyone will vouch for the higher standard of Halal meat over the other meats. It is not only compliant with the religious needs of Muslims, it is also healthy and hygienic. In Hong Kong, there is a good number of restaurants that provide halal meat in its menu. However, the clear leader of all these restaurants in Anjappar. The hotel traces its origin in the Chettinad foods but has diversified itself in many other cuisines like North Indian, Chines and even Middle Eastern foods. So, you need not worry about the availability of options for you. Anjappar provides tasty foods and is one of the best Halal Restaurants in Hong Kong.

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