Lilli & Loo: Gluten-Free Chinese Food

Phone: (212) 412-7800
Location: 792 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10065

For many who have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, we miss out on the simple things in life that many take for granted. One thing I miss is ordering cheap but oh so good Chinese takeout. Is there truly anything better than ordering your favorite Chinese food after a long day at work or after a night out at the bar? NOPE.

That’s why when I discovered Lilli & Loo I seriously considered moving into an apartment closer to the restaurant just so I would be in their delivery zone. Needless to say, I haven’t moved yet but if the opportunity arises I may just take it.

Lilli & Loo offers an extensive dedicated gluten-free menu chockfull of all the quintessential food you would expect to find at any Chinese restaurant. Everything from fried spring rolls, shrimp tempura, general tso chicken, pork fried rice and so much more. They even offer Redbridge which is a good, light gluten-free beer. The owner’s daughter has celiac disease so offering safe and delicious gluten-free food is near and dear to their heart. I’ve honestly ate at Lilli & Loo at least 12 times and they never disappoint!

Gluten-Free Meal

Rock Shrimp Tempura $11.95

I can’t get enough of this appetizer. The shrimp are lightly fried with gluten-free tempura that has the perfect crunch. The citrus mayonnaise makes this appetizer so good that you’ll easily clean your plate. Only thing is that for takeout or delivery the tempura batter doesn’t hold the nice crunch and becomes a bit soggy. Best to eat this when eating at the restaurant.

Gluten-Free Shrimp Tempura

Crispy General Tso Chicken $17.50

I have to confess that every single time I’ve eaten at Lilli & Loo I’ve always ate the general tso chicken. The combination of savory and sweet always hits the spot for me. I love the thick gluten-free batter that coats the outside of the chicken. It’s the epitome of comfort food for me. Personally, this dish isn’t spicy at all even though Lilli & Loo’s menu shows it is. Sometimes I’ll swap out the side of rice with an order of the gluten-free pork fried rice with some gluten-free soy sauce. Both the general tso and the pork fried rice are big portions so they’re perfect for sharing or to take home for leftovers.

Gluten-Free General Tso Chicken

Verdict: In case you couldn’t already tell I’m a big Lilli & Loo’s fan which is why it’s GF Steph approved. Although the price is a bit more than what I would typically expect to pay for Chinese food, I’m grateful that there is a gluten-free option for quick and delicious gluten-free Chinese food in New York City. The servers are well-versed in gluten-free and are happy to help and / or answer any questions you may have.

Till we eat again…