Moo Goo Gai Gluten?

I've only walked out of one restaurant in the time that I've been gluten free. It was a Chinese food joint, and the waitress looked at me like I had five heads when I asked if they could steam me some chicken and vegetables with no sauce, only after I asked about soy sauce in nearly every dish on the menu. I had to leave because I got the distinct feeling that I was not going to get out of the restaurant without a major pain in my gut. In hindsight, I could have done better research on how GF friendly the spot was, but it really soured my perspective on ever being able to eat Chinese food again. There's the soy sauce to worry about, for sure, but add the fish sauce, oyster sauce, and hosin sauce that are not often gluten free, and you've got quite a Chinese food gluten-y disaster on your hands. A tragedy, really, since I had only recently discovered how tasty and diverse authentic Chinese food can be.

But before I shunned the orange chicken and lo mein of my youth forever, I found a few Chinese-American places that cater to the gluten free community with a special menu. P.F. Chang's is celebrated for their gluten free options, and it's tasty stuff, for sure. I've been once or twice since I started eating gluten free. I'd probably go again. But, a place where you may see my shining smile more frequently, slurping on Asian noodles, is Betelnut. I went to this happening spot with a friend and asked about soy sauce in a dish, only to be asked if I was gluten free and would like to see their gluten free menu. Oh, yes. Served a sea salt and tamari roasted edamame, followed by a rich curried rice noodle soup with tofu, chicken and shrimp, and plied with a mint gimlet, this gluten free belly left full and happy.