What foods have gluten?
Gluten is used in a wide range of food products common in Canada, including wheat, barley, couscous, Graham flour, oats, and more. A lot of the alternatives to gluten-based foods in Canada are manufactured from corn, rice, soy, or gluten-free grain. In Vietnamese cooking, we’ve never really had a use for most of these gluten-based items which is why this method of eating’s already close to perfect.
What sort of foods are in Vietnamese cuisine?
Vietnamese cuisine is based heavily around fresh veggies and fresh herbs. Heavy emphasis is placed on achieving balance in every meal as well. Pho is the greatest representation of Vietnamese cuisine, bringing together a mix of herbs, veggies, some meats, rice noodles, and broth. Like many meals in this style of cooking, you will find very little to no gluten in a bowl of Vietnamese pho – at least, when speaking about the traditional variety.
What Vietnamese foods contain gluten?
There are some ingredients used, methods of preparation, and dishes in Vietnamese cooking anyone eating a gluten-free diet will want to avoid. These include the following:
? Macaroni noodles.
? Egg noodles with wheat.
? Anything with bread, such as banh mi.
? Anything with soy sauce, which contains wheat.
? Any meat or fish that is deep-fried has likely been lathered in flour beforehand, which disqualifies them from being gluten-free.
Are vermicelli noodles gluten-free?
Vermicelli noodles are made from wheat flour which means they do in fact contain gluten. Any vermicelli noodle dishes are things you want to avoid. If you’re creating the dish at home, it’s simple to substitute in the place of vermicelli anything made from rice, tapioca, or corn flour. Subsequently, ‘vermicelli’ and ‘rice vermicelli’ are different. This is worth nothing. Most rice vermicelli is gluten-free so someone that doesn’t want to consume gluten may still be able to partake as long as they clarify it is indeed rice vermicelli and not ‘vermicelli’.
What Vietnamese foods are gluten-free?
There is a long list of gluten-free Vietnamese foods but for the sake of brevity, we’ve made a list of the most common in-demand dishes. If you are visiting a Toronto Vietnamese restaurant, you shouldn’t hesitate to try some of these foods if you are gluten intolerant.
? Banh xeo is gluten-free, as long as the batter does not contain any wheat or rice flour. Although the true recipe of banh xeo uses rice flour, many places use pre-made, gluten-containing mixes that aren’t safe for those with celiac disease.
? Fresh spring rolls are essentially veggies and meats wrapped in rice paper. They’re an absolutely delicious treat and appetizer, and yes, they’re gluten-free! In some restaurants, they’re also identified as ‘summer rolls’.
? Chia go are essentially deep fried spring rolls. They are usually gluten-free however are sometimes dipped in bread crumbs before being fried. This can cause some issues so be careful.
Is Vietnamese fish sauce gluten-free?
Unfortunately, gluten-free Vietnamese cuisine doesn’t usually include fish sauce. That’s because some fish sauces include hydrolyzed wheat protein which contains gluten-free. Fortunately, not every fish sauce does so there are some gluten-free varieties out there. The thing is if you’re at a restaurant and are doubting whether the fish sauce brought to your table is gluten-free, it’s probably best avoided just in case.
Did you know Vietnamese cuisine is one of the healthiest?
Vietnamese cuisine is consistently voted one of the healthiest in the world. If you’re on a gluten-free diet, a vegan diet, or a vegetarian diet, Vietnamese cuisine works. This is what has helped make Vietnamese cooking so adaptable to cultures in Canada, the US, and internationally. It’s also helped Vietnamese restaurants make great strides in major cities, bringing new traditions, foods, and meals to families all over Canada. In Toronto, there are several restaurants offering healthy Vietnamese meals, including none the better than TorontoPHO. Regardless of what lifestyle you’re leading, don’t hesitate to drop in and grab a bowl of pho or choose from any of our other tasty menu items.
Don’t be scared to ask if something contains gluten or not!
No one wants to be driving home and be hit with a gluten attack. Let’s face it – most of us have some sort of food intolerance issues, whether that’s with gluten, sugar, meat products, dairy, or otherwise. At TorontoPHO, we welcome questions about the food we make. Ask away! Don’t hesitate if you’re unsure about whether something is gluten-free or not. We’d feel terrible if our food gave anyone an upset stomach because they consumed gluten accidentally. If you have any dietary restrictions like this, feel encouraged to clarify it with your server or customer service representative beforehand. We’ll ensure the food you receive is made fresh, to quality, and gluten-free.
