My impromptu meal at Hibachi-San last Monday was a pleasant surprise as a gluten-free college student. This Japanese grill featuring a menu of poke bowls, sushi, and specialty teas was shockingly gluten-friendly. Located in the Penn State HUB, this option is easily accessible from many campus locations.
I opted to order a personalized poke bowl. This gave me creative room to include my own gluten-free ingredients. Poke bowls became popularized in Hawaii due to the influx of Asian immigrants, combining Japanese influence. Asian cuisine is often a risk for eaters with celiac disease, due to the recurrence of noodles, dumplings, and soy sauce being found in the majority of dishes, which is a gluten-containing product. Oftentimes, sushi rice is even secretly doused in wheat vinegar.
However, I was able to identify some safe choices on the Hibachi-San menu. Unfortunately this was after going out of my way to Google their allergen menu and identify it thanks to the Hibachi-San location at the University of California, Riverside. It clearly marks which proteins, toppings, drinks, and sushi rolls contain wheat, as well as other allergens, such as soy, eggs, peanuts, or milk. There were no markings of allergens at the Penn State HUB location in-person or on their site. I was still able to find the necessary information elsewhere, but gluten-free customers are only left to hope Penn State’s location follows the same ingredients as this example.
Using this directory, I was able to formulate a gluten-free meal. There are limited options for proteins, with only two of eleven not containing wheat. Luckily, all toppings are safe for celiacs, as well as the rice and salad mix bases for the bowls. Additionally, their sushi rolls are said to not contain wheat, suggested they are soaked in rice vinegar instead of wheat–a major positive for gluten-free diners. To conclude the menu analysis, their teas and drinks are all gluten-free, which is not a shocking criteria.
Finally, cross-contamination is detail worth reviewing for the average celiac. Conveniently, I believe my meal contained very minimal cross-contamination. Ingredients are all separated with individual utensils and my order was assembled in front of me, giving me even more confidence in the safety of my poke bowl. This slightly compensates for their lack of transparency on the HUB menu regarding the allergens.
Overall, due to the allergen uncertainty on their menu, but safe drinks, toppings, and strong poke bowl options, I award Hibachi-San Japanese Grill a 3.5 star GF rating.
Sources:
