So you want to go out with your friends, but you don’t want to take them to another sad, steaks-and-whiskey place. You want something fun and lively, but it also can’t be anything that is going to result in a two-day social media fast. So what do you do? You look for the best dim sum places in town. For most people, going out for a dim sum on a Saturday or Sunday morning is an ideal way to spend time with friends without having to sacrifice any other activities. It’s also a great way to get Asian food cravings taken care of while making sure they are healthy as well at the same time. Whether you are new to trying dim sum or already have your favorite locations, this article will help you identify which ones are safe and which ones might not be gluten-free.
Is Dim Sum Gluten Free?
Yes, Dim Sum is gluten-free. dim sum generally refers to a variety of small dishes that are served as snacks or appetizers. While there are some variations from restaurant to restaurant, most dim sum dishes are gluten-free. However, it’s always best to ask your server before ordering just to be sure. Enjoy!
What Exactly Is Dim Sum?
- Dim sum is a meal that is traditionally served during the Chinese New Year.
- It consists of a wide variety of small dishes, ranging from steamed buns to dumplings to many others.
- The main ingredients are usually pork and seafood, but there are also some vegetarian options that you should be aware of before going out for dim sum.
- Dim sum is usually served on small plates or on large platters in restaurants, and you can order as much or as little as you want, depending on how hungry you are (and how much money you have).
- Dim sum can be eaten all day long by itself; however, it’s more popular at the end of the day when everyone has had their fill for the day and are ready to go home for some sleep before starting another work week.
- Dim sum can be eaten with soy milk tea or Chinese tea as well; however, some people prefer to have it in a different way.
- Dim sum is usually eaten in small groups or large groups, but the more popular places usually have enough food for everyone.
- Dim sum is usually served during the morning and evening hours, but there are some places that serve dim sum at other times of the day as well.
Finding Gluten-Free Dim Sum
- Dim Sum is usually served on small plates, so you will be able to tell whether or not there are gluten-free options. You’ll know if they have gluten-free dumplings, rice noodles, and other foods that are sometimes served on small plates.
- If the restaurant has a separate gluten-free menu, it’s a good sign that it is safe for you to go there. They will have clearly marked gluten-free items on their menu and most likely a separate waitstaff designated for handling all of their gluten-free customers. These people should also be very knowledgeable about the food that they serve and will not make any mistakes in serving you something that contains wheat or even cross-contamination.
- If you are going out with friends who are allergic to wheat, this can be a great way to get together without having to worry about what they order or how much they eat because they can choose from a wide variety of dishes without worrying about gluten.
- If you are going out for dim sum, it’s a good idea to have a food allergy guide handy so you can tell the server which dish you want to avoid. You can ask them if they have any of the ingredients in question and whether or not they can make it without them or if they will need to bring out their own gluten-free version of that dish. If they don’t know what is safe, then take your business elsewhere!
- Dim sum is a great way to try different types of Chinese food all at once, but be sure that the restaurant has a separate gluten-free menu for their dim sum dishes because there are many dishes on the regular menu that might contain wheat that isn’t marked as such on their menu.
How to Tell If Your Dumplings Are Safe to Eat
1. Look At The Ingredients.
If you do a quick search of the ingredients, you will be able to see if your dim sum is gluten-free. However, the reason it’s best to look at the ingredients list is that there are so many different names for gluten-free foods.
2. Look For Rice Flour Or Cornstarch In Their List Of Ingredients.
These are not considered gluten-free and can cause serious health problems when eaten regularly. You should only find them as an ingredient in very specific places, such as ice cream or cake mix that don’t have any other wheat products in them. However, if you see these two items listed on a dim sum menu, they are probably safe to eat without worry and are guaranteed to be gluten-free.
3. Look For A Gluten-Free Symbol In Their List Of Ingredients.
In order to help people with Celiac disease, gluten-free symbols have been added to the ingredients of many different restaurants. These symbols are only used for products that are manufactured in factories that have been certified as being gluten-free. If you see a symbol, it’s safe to eat without worry.
4. Look For A Third-Party Certification On The Menu Or Menu Board.
If you see one of these third-party certifications on the menu or menu board, you know that your dim sum is definitely safe to eat. However, there are many places that choose not to use them and still claim they are gluten-free when they aren’t. It’s best to ask your server if they have received any sort of approval from a third party because it will give you extra peace of mind knowing that what you are eating is actually safe and not just made up by the restaurant.
Which Dim Sum Is Usually Gluten-Free?
1. Dim Sum Garden (San Gabriel Valley)
Dim Sum Garden is a great place to go for dim sum in Los Angeles because it has everything you can imagine being on the menu. This restaurant has been in business for over 35 years, so it is a place that has seen and done it all. Dim Sum Garden offers gluten-free options as well as vegetarian options for those with dietary restrictions. However, the dim sum must be ordered in advance because they are not open every day. You can book your reservation online at www.dimsumgardenrestaurant.com/reservations to avoid any complications during your visit to this restaurant.
2. Imperial Palace Seafood Restaurant (Hollywood)
Imperial Palace Seafood Restaurant is one of the most popular dim sum restaurants in Los Angeles because of its unique seafood dishes and variety of flavors that come from its wide variety of sauces and spices used to prepare the food items on its menu. The restaurant also offers gluten-free options on its menu, so you can feel good about eating their food without any worries at all. The restaurant is open seven days a week and is located in Hollywood Chinatown.
3. Jade Garden (San Gabriel Valley)
Jade Garden is another great dim sum restaurant that offers both gluten-free options as well as vegetarian options for those with dietary restrictions. It is also very affordable, which makes it a great choice if you are on a budget and still want to have dim sum at some point during your visit to Los Angeles. The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, so it’s also one of the oldest dim sum places in town. The only downside to this place is that it does not have any trolley service; therefore, you will have to leave your car behind when you go there if you want to get there by public transportation.
Conclusion
Dim sum is a delicious way to spend a weekend morning with friends. It is also a great way to get Chinese food cravings taken care of while making sure you are healthy at the same time. As with most Asian dishes, the first thing to look for is whether the dish is steamed or fried. Finding which dim sum dishes are gluten-free is easy, and if you ask the server, they will happily let you know. Which items at a Chinese restaurant are usually gluten-free? Steamed dumplings and buns, steamed vegetables and Chinese rice dishes, and Chinese-style desserts are all gluten-free.
