Year of the Dog: Celebrate a Gluten-Free Chinese New Year

With the Chinese New Year beginning on February 16 - it's the Year of the Dog under the Chinese Zodiac cycle - one way to celebrate is by eating Chinese cuisine, even if it's more Americanized than traditional. Fortunately, the Delaware Valley has a number of Chinese restaurants that can accommodate gluten-free diners.

There aren't many options in Philadelphia's Chinatown proper, though the rice rolls at Nom Wah Tea Parlor (218 N. 13th St., 267-519-2889) are gluten free. Elsewhere in the city, gluten-free menu options are available at Beijing in University City (3714 Spruce St., 215-222-5252) and DanDan in Rittenhouse Square (126 S. 16th St., 215-800-1165). DanDan has a sister location in suburban Devon (214 Sugartown Rd., 484-580-8558).

P.F. Chang's gluten-free Spicy Chicken

National chain P.F. Chang's and its fast-casual sibling Pei Wei have long offered gluten-free menus for their guests. P.F. Chang's, which has area locations in New Jersey (Atlantic City, Marlton, Princeton) and Pennsylvania (Collegeville, Glen Mills, Plymouth Meeting, Warrington) even has an incredible chocolate flourless cake for dessert. Pei Wei has regional outposts in Cherry Hill and Moorestown, New Jersey and Philadelphia (Fairmount) and Springfield.

One of the top options in the northern suburbs is Yantze Gourmet in Lansdale (2333 Welsh Rd., 215-361-7600). The gluten-free menu there covers everything from soup to noodle dishes to protein entrees.

In New Jersey, Shangri-La in Cherry Hill (100 Springdale Rd., 856-428-5866) has gluten-free soy sauce and Bordentown's Jade Island (969 Rt. 206, 609-324-7200) prepares several chicken, shrimp and beef dishes gluten free. Peking Wok in Mt. Laurel (127 Ark Rd., 856-866-2350) is a reader favorite.

Delaware has several Chinese restaurants that offer gluten-free preparation, including Potstickers Asian Grill in Newark (1247 Churchmans Rd., 302-731-0188) (which has a gluten-free menu) and Confucius Chinese Cuisine in Rehoboth Beach (57 Wilmington Ave., 302-227-3848).

For more Chinese and Asian options, be sure to download the Gluten Free Philly mobile app for iOS and Android devices, with more than 1,600 area gluten-free-friendly businesses listed. Search by cuisine or neighborhood, make reservations and more.

It's Tso Time

Don't put away those New Year's Eve party hats and horns just yet. The Chinese new year - the Year of the Rabbit - begins on February 3. Chef Joseph Poon, who opened Sang Kee, Philadelphia's first duck house, in 1979 and ran Joe's Peking Duck House for many years, is offering a 10-course feast at his BYOB Chinatown kitchen (1010 Cherry Street, 215-928-9333) to mark the occasion. Among the entrees is the chef's take on General Tso's Chicken, in which corn starch is used in place of wheat flour. The dinner includes salad, appetizers, entrees and dessert, and items can be modified to accommodate gluten-free guests; for example, lettuce leaves replace the flour wraps used for the Peking duck rolls and burgers.

The Chinese New Year banquet menu is available by reservation for parties of two or more now through March 31, with seatings seven days a week at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per person, cash or check only, plus tax and gratuity. When making reservations, advise of dietary restrictions and request stir-frying for the chicken dish.