Lunar New Year Gluten Free Asian Recipes
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I love Asian inspired recipes. Chinese. Vietnamese. Korean. Each region offers a flavor and technique that I love. While some may be nontraditional, I’m sharing gluten free recipes I think we’d all be lucky to eat this Lunar New Year!
When Does Lunar New Year Start?
Unlike the American calendar, the New Year starts on a different date each year in the Asian world. It is determined by the Lunar Calendar. Per Wake Forest University, “the holiday falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. The dates usually range sometime between January 21 and February 20.”
What Dishes Are Eaten During Lunar New Year?
Did you know that in the Asian culture, the number 8 is lucky? There are 8 foods traditionally eaten during this holiday. That includes dumplings, spring rolls, fish, cured meats, noodles, fruit, eight treasures rice, and glutinous rice balls.
Glutinous Rice Does Not Contain Gluten
Despite the name, please know that glutinous rice doesn’t contain gluten. What is glutinous rice, then? Per Wikipedia, “Glutinous rice is a type of rice grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia, and the northeastern regions of South Asia, which has opaque grains, very low amylose content, and is especially sticky when cooked. It is widely consumed across Asia.”
Soy Sauce and Gluten Free Asian Food Ingredients
One of the biggest issues when it comes to gluten free Asian Cuisine is soy sauce. While soy itself contains no gluten, traditional soy sauce is fermented with wheat. I prefer to buy San-J Tamari. The Woks of Life has a great article on gluten free Chinese food substitutions. Specifically they talk about oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine. Other popular ingredients include sesame oil & fish sauce.
Gluten Free Asian Food Accounts to Follow
When I first wrote this blog post, I included recipes from fellow bloggers I knew. However, I realized that almost none of the recipe creators I included came from Asian backgrounds. I updated this to specifically include AAPI writers.
Sites I recommend include Nom Nom Paleo, Healthy GF Asian, I Heart Umami, What Great Grandma Ate, and KimChiMari. I also recommend following Every Tasty Bite on Instagram. In addition, Nut Free Wok is a good site to follow. Her blog is not gluten free focused, but she offers gluten free ingredient suggestions in her recipes. The Woks of Life also maintain a large collection of gluten free recipes on their website.
Gluten Free Asian Recipes
Gluten Free Asian Inspired Recipes
Looking for Asian inspired recipes to celebrate the Lunar New Year? This collection of gluten free recipes includes everything from appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts.
Crispy Orange Chicken Recipe (Paleo, Whole30) - Quick and Easy!
What other Asian dishes are you missing? Tell me in the comments and I’ll consider adding them to my round-up!
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Originally published January 2019
What a wonderful round up of new dinner ideas to try!
Thanks! Now I want Lo Mein and to try the rice balls from Light Orange Bean!
you’re more than welcome!
I cant wait to try your Sweet and Sour Recipe!
This is such a great round up of GF and allergy friendly recipes to celebrate the lunar new year. Thank you for such a thoughtful post.
You’re welcome!