Review of Thanh Tinh Chay Restaurant

Reported to be dedicated gf and seemed very attentive. We had a top-notch meal, and, 24+ hours later, I have no symptoms whatsoever.

I’m sorry that other reviewers got sick. I get the sense that this restaurant avoids gluten from a position of holistic health rather than from specialization in allergies or a personal connection to celiac. In my experience, places like that rely on “naturally gf” ingredients but don’t always appreciate how pervasive cross contamination can be in the supply line. (For example, soy/tofu can be contaminated if it is grown or processed at places that also handle wheat as a common crop rotation. I did not ask about the soy supply chain for this restaurant, and I wish I had, even though mine seems to have been clean yesterday.)

We took recommendations from the server who said she has many regulars who have celiac disease. Personally, I avoid deep fried food from a place that does not specialize in allergies, and here I avoided the bahn mi because the rolls frankly looked too good to seem gf! (The server assured us they are gf, made from water chestnut flour.) We stuck to items that are rice flour based. We sampled most of the soy mock “meats,” and they were all incredible, which is why this restaurant is nationally acclaimed for vegan cooking.

I was nervous because of reviewers here who sadly did get sick, but I can only say that my experience was excellent. We had rice patties, rice paper summer rolls with “pork belly” (yum!), two different spicy rice noodle dishes (the “shrimp” were excellent!), and a to-die-for tofu steam bun, plus the decadent crème brûlée.

I would only add that the dishes were rich & heavy with bold flavors and a host of ingredients that might be challenging for sensitive stomachs. We were very full but very happy. I’ll update if I experience symptoms, but I’m confident I’m in the clear by now.

Personally, I would go back, but I would inquire beforehand about the supply line, especially for all the soy/tofu in the beautifully-crafted vegan proteins.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies