The hardest thing in life for a gluten-freer is simply opening a menu and seeing lists of wheat-packed, delicious-sounding dishes you can do no more than sniff. Not only does this tempt a bellyache, but it’s basically the same of being told, everyday for the rest of your life, that Santa Claus doesn’t exist.
Dramatic much? Fine. But that’s how it feels.
But going gluten-free in Hong Kong doesn’t have to mean going good-food-free, especially if you pick your restaurants carefully. Here’s a list of five gluten-free substitutions for food you’ll actually crave rather than endure.
Wheat you can eat: Buckwheat Galettes at La Crêperie
A gluten-free foodie’s eye has been trained to go into move-along-mode by the word “wheat”. However, don’t be fooled, because buckwheat is the gluten-free dieter’s cheat to pretending like your stomach is normal. This incredibly nutrient-rich grain is the base for all of the downright delish French galettes (HKD80-HKD150) served at La Crêperie in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and and Sheung Wan. Quell your craving for sandwiches and quesadillas with a cheesy, meaty, salty, or seafoody galette, or satisfy your cake stomach with a sweet one. We particularly recommend La Marin: scallops, mixed mushroom, diced bacon and creamy white wine sauce.
La Crêperie, 1/F, 100 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, (+852) 2529-9280.
G/F, 69 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, (+852) 2679-4666.
8/F, The L Square, 459-461 Lockhart Rd. Causeway Bay, (+852) 2898-7123.
Keep rolling, rolling, rolling
Once upon a time, long before you were on a GF meal plan, spring rolls were probably a staple in your Asian food diet. Then you had to stop, drop and roll – evacuating the crunchy, freshly fried, finger-licking, greasy goodness from your life. Thanks to Noodle Mi, an MSG and gluten-free Vietnamese noodle joint in Sheung Wan, however, you can keep these delights in your life. The restaurant’s Crispy Fried Vegetarian Spring Roll (HKD55) is a signature dish – one so absolutely delicious you’ll have a spring in your step after you roll around rubbing your tummy! Get it??
Noodle Mi, G/F, No. 2 Bonham Strand East, Sheung Wan, (+852) 2253-1113/1114.
Korrito my Burrito
When a Mexican burrito turns into a Korean Korrito, it causes the gluten-free community to throw a fiesta. K Roll, a fast and healthy Korean food shop with locations in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong MTR Station and Wan Chai, puts all the scrumptious goodness of Kimbap into a burrito-sized roll, with the tortilla substituted for healthy (and gluten-free) seaweed. “The Fire” (HKD65) comes packed with spicy chicken, rice, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, avocado and tofu crunchies. No longer do you need to feel bereaved over burritos. The Korrito will fill your Mexican food void.
K Roll, 6A Bonham Strand, G/F Sen Fat Building, Sheung Wan (+852) 2234-5505.
Shop 41, L3 Concourse Level, Hong Kong MTR Station, Disney/Tung Chung Line, Central, (+852) 2563-2811.
Shop 104, Brim 28, Causeway Centre, 28 Harbour Road, Wan Chai (+852) 2806-3488.
Get wrapped up
Mana! 92 Wellington Street, Central, (+852) 2851-1611.
Mana! Raw, 97 Wellington Street, Central, (+852) 2259-5125.
Ooddles of Zoodles
Hidden just off of Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, uber healthy eatery Greenwoods Raw Cafe offers organic, raw, vegan, gluten-free and locally sourced lovelies. Most importantly for our quest, however, it provides the perfect pasta/noodles substitute. Their zoodles are the new noodles, made with oodles of eggplant, while pumpkin seeds and a minced walnuts that makeup the “meat”. And what’s more is that all that glorious tastes comes with fewer calories. Suck on that gluten gluttons! The set lunch menu includes a soup, salad and main for HKD148.
GreenWoods Raw Cafe, 13/F, 2 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, (+852) 3428-2416.
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