As a gluten-free gal preparing to navigate the food scene of Hong Kong, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Per my google research, all signs pointed to plenty of gluten free restaurants in Hong Kong. BUT just in case I had trouble on my 7-day trip, I did pack some of those doomsdayer MREs (“meals, ready to eat”). I chose ones on the “more nutritious” side of things, like these gluten-free Wild Zora camping meals. THANKFULLY – no need for those dried meals. There was a great lineup of restaurants that could accommodate for gluten-free in Hong Kong. While I wasn’t able to find a gluten-free card in Cantonese, in general there was not an issue with communication at restaurants (especially as I picked out spots with some GF understanding).
Per usual, you’ll just have to be a little less spontaneous as a Celiac or gluten-free traveler in Hong Kong – no street food or market stalls for you. If you’re traveling with a group (as I was), offer to do some of the trip planning so that you can make sure that your itinerary just so happens to place you near these GF spots. And do your normal Celiac/GF routine: talk with the staff about your dietary restrictions (I generally said “gluten allergy” vs. Celiac), ask about cross-contamination and fryer protocol, and always be aware of hidden sources of gluten like marinades, sauces, soy sauce. But I was so pleasantly surprised how well fed I was allll week … and you can be, too!
Join me as we unpack 10 gluten free friendly restaurants Hong Kong that can accommodate for Celiac: Bedu, Woodlands, Hutong, Chilli Fagara, Madame Fu-Grand Cafe Chinois, and Pici (plus some spots I didn’t get to, but have heard phenom reviews and am now very sad about missing).
The Spots: My Fave Gluten Free Restaurants in Hong Kong
Bedu (Central)
Tucked away in the heart of Hong Kong Central (up a very big hill), Bedu is a Middle Eastern gem that caters to gluten-free diners – their menu is well marked with both GF and vegetarian options. We got cold and hot mezzes, bigger shared plates, and fab cocktails. The staff was SO kind and well-versed in dietary restrictions. It feels cute and trendy and great for a night out but not super fancy or expensive.
Chilli Fagara (Central):
If you’re a fan of spicy Sichuan cuisine, Chilli Fagara is the place to be. Not for the faint of heart, as this place is SPICY. Chilli is in the name, after all. Luckily they’ve got nice cocktails to lessen the burn. Intimate spot, great food and felt very accommodating for GF. Michelin Guide reco.
Madame Fu-Grand Cafe Chinois (Central):
Step into the opulent world of Madame Fu-Grand Cafe Chinois for a sophisticated gluten-free experience. This elegant establishment offers a gluten-free menu with a diverse range of dishes, from traditional dim sum to modern Chinese delicacies. The attention to detail and commitment to providing safe options make Madame Fu-Grand Cafe Chinois a top choice for Celiacs seeking a touch of luxury in their gluten-free dining adventures.
Pici (Multiple locations):
This was…decent and average vibes. Appreciate that they have a GF menu, but beyond the fact that the GF pasta exists, the staff wasn’t that knowledgeable GF/Celiac. They couldn’t tell me if the salad on the main menu could be modified to be GF (turns out…it was the exact same salad as on the GF menu so we ordered far too much salad for the table.) Hopefully we caught them on an off night as the GF reviews were high.
Hutong (Tsim Sha Tsui)
WOW OK GO HERE. Hutong is an upscale restaurant offering Northern Chinese cuisine and sits at the top of a very tall skyscraper – therefore, you get amazing views of the harbor depending on where you’re seated. While there is no dedicated gluten-free menu, the staff is on point. No Peking duck for you, but they will curate you a meal that is amazing. Overall swanky vibes and great service.
Woodlands (Tsim Sha Tsui)
This spot had good reviews for gluten-free Indian food (also a fully vegetarian spot). We needed something cheap and casual as we had been out exploring. My take: this was probably a little too risky for my liking….there is no separate GF menu and while the staff explained GF options, it was a little hard to navigate. Especially unclear was whether any of the teff breads were OK for Celiac…I couldn’t get a firm answer on that so did not partake. I got the Chana Masala over white rice – it was good, and I didn’t get sick – but still not as GF-friendly as I would have loved.
Where I Didn’t Eat But Absolutely Wanted To
Yardbird (Sheung Wan)
I have it on good authority from my Hong Kong coworkers that Yardbird is awesome. Sadly, we weren’t going to make it in time from Tsim Sha Tsui over to Central with enough time because the traffic is bananas in HK. If you’re from the U.S. do not confuse it with the sports bar Yardbird, lol. It’s the opposite of that. It’s Japanese-inspired yakitori. Allegedly: the atmosphere is trendy but casual enough, and the staff is clued in on gluten-free options. Dear Yardbird, next time I shall come for you.
New Punjab Club (Central)
Okay, this was also highly recommended by my Hong Kong coworkers. Punjabi cuisine (Pakistan and India) that’s been consistently awarded a Michelin star since 2019. The food looks incredible and I’m sad we didn’t make it here. If you DO make it there, give me a shout on @glutenfreepearls.
Mott 32 – Central
This place seems very fancy and very luxury. Mott 32 in Central had good gluten-free reviews and notes accommodations on its website and when you make a reservation. It is a smaller upscale chain with a few spots across the world but that wasn’t going to stop me … that said the price was steep so we found a little more affordable spots.
Mak Mak – Central
As of the time of writing…this Thai spot has good reviews on Find Me Gluten Free App and their menu is labeled with GF options.
Dandy’s Organic Café – Sheung Wan
Fully gluten-free menu, and they advertise no chemicals, hormones, GMO. Burgers, salads, pastas, soups – a very diverse menu with vegan options and other allergy accommodations.
Chachawan – Sheung Wan:
Awesome looking menu at this Thai spot, with gluten-free options clearly marked. Per their website, their food originates from Thailand’s northeast ‘Isaan’ region
Kale – Central
Salads, rice bowls, quinoa risotto. This spot is fast casual and serves healthy, organic, all dairy-free food. NOTE: their is a menu on their website that notes that it is not a gluten-free kitchen and that there may be traces of gluten in the prep area (along with other allergens like eggs and nuts). So I would not recommend if you are Celiac – but if you are gluten intolerant/avoiding gluten, this could be a good option.
Hope you enjoyed this round-up of gluten free restaurants Hong Kong!
Until next time,
xoxo Kate
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