California
Gaja Korean BBQ
Location: Oceanside, California
“This is THE BEST kbbq I’ve ever had, and I’ve tried lots of places! It was so good that we went back 3 times during our 1 week trip to Cali. They have such a wide variety of meats, and the waitstaff kindly walked me through the allergy safe options I could have. Definitely very high quality food, the beef belly was our favorite. Still miss this place!”
Haidilao Hot Pot San Diego
Location: San Diego, California
“My first hot pot experience was at Haidilao! Their service is unmatchable. They were so detailed in checking the soup bases and making sure that they could avoid cross contamination for me. This is the only hot pot place I’ve been to that had so much awareness on food allergies. I got the tomato soup with non-marinated meats and vegetables. They got me sesame oil and salt for my meats from the back so I could avoid the sauce bar contamination. I loved the food and experience!!”
New Jersey
Hey Yogurt Ridgewood
Location: Ridgewood, New Jersey
“I LOVE yogurt based drinks, and this New Jersey chain is definitely in my top 3 favorites. I got the strawberry mango yogurt drink with less sweetness. They were great in checking allergens!”
Cheongsu NJ
Location: Fort Lee, New Jersey
“This is a Korean inspired coffee shop that makes a wide variety of drinks and desserts! I visited their location in Korea too, and highly recommend their mandarin orange ade. Glad to have a safe Korean cafe near me!”
Bowls & Noodles – Poke Bowl • Ramen • Boba Tea
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
“This was my favorite place to get lunch when I was working in Hoboken! The owner was so friendly and would remember me and my food allergies every time I came in. She was very careful about preparing my food and drinks, and would always check ingredients for me. I tried my first poke bowl here!! It’s fully customizable, so I usually get salmon with different vegetables. I also really enjoy their boba, especially the strawberry fruit tea and matcha milk tea!”
Umi Seafood and Sushi Buffet
Location: East Brunswick, New Jersey
“I usually avoid buffets for food allergies, but I have eaten the sushi here safely several times! The sushi is prepared in a separate area away from the rest of the cooked food. I usually get salmon or tuna based rolls and sashimi. They do have limited options on allergy-friendly foods, but I would go again for their sushi!”
Butcher 360: all you can eat Korean BBQ
Location: North Brunswick Township, New Jersey
“This is a popular KBBQ spot near Rutgers University! My favorites here are the thin beef brisket and pork belly. Here, they cook the meat for you – so I ask the staff to use clean scissors and tongs for our table only, as they usually use the same pair between tables. This place is pricier, but a great meal!!”
MeeTU | Flower&Tea
Location: Highland Park, New Jersey
“This is my favorite boba shop near Rutgers campus!! They have very high quality drinks here, and I highly recommend the matcha or cocoa cream slush. It’s owned by Rutgers alumni and the taste is better than any other chain boba shop I’ve been to! I also double checked ingredients with the owner.”
Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse
Location: Sayreville, New Jersey
“My first time having hibachi!! Because they cook everything on one grill, I always thought I couldn’t have hibachi so I was so excited that they could accommodate here. The chef that cooked for us was very knowledgeable in food allergies. He cooked my portion first before everyone else’s, and even cleaned the entire grill after cooking. I got the classic fried rice (gluten-free soy sauce and no egg for mine!) and the steak stir fry. This didn’t sacrifice on the show and experience at all, and he made me feel so grateful in his care for my allergies! Amazing staff here that really know how to handle allergies, definitely recommend!”
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
Location: Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
“This is my favorite KBBQ chain!! I always go to the Woodbridge location, but have tried this chain in Florida and New York as well. I like that they label which meats are gluten free on their menu. I usually skip the sauce bar and prepared foods, and still stick to ordering non-marinated meats and vegetables. I will usually ask for some sesame oil, butter, and salt from the back to avoid cross contamination. Their cuts are yummy and it’s a great value for price.”
Pho Today
Location: South Plainfield, New Jersey
“This was my first experience eating at a Vietnamese restaurant!! This place is around a 15 minute drive from the Rutgers campus. I got a bowl of chicken pho with beef broth. The soup came with onions, cilantro, and chives. I made sure to confirm that the noodles were made of rice and 100% gluten-free and that they were cooked separate from the nuts used in the kitchen. The staff were accommodating and willing to answer my questions! My meal was so delicious and filling, the portion was so huge and worth it. I’m glad I found a safe and delicious place to eat and will be visiting again soon!”
Ottoyee Japanese Cuisine(Sushi&Ramen)
Location: South Plainfield, New Jersey
“This is one of the few spots that I feel comfortable door-dashing from! They do a sushi roll special where you can get three for $15.95 – and they have such delicious salmon here. I put a note regarding my food allergies in my order, and I called the restaurant the first time I ordered from them. They acknowledged the note and said that they would make sure my order would be safe! I have ordered from them with the note since then, and have enjoyed the sushi!!”
New York
Lilli and Loo
Location: New York, New York
“Went here after seeing so many positive reviews on Spokin, and I loved the food! It’s hard to find an Asian restaurant like this with so many safe foods. They had an entire gluten-free menu, and I ordered General Tso’s chicken for the first time. I also shared the Love Salmon sushi combo with my friend. Will definitely be returning here!”
Lucky Rabbit Noodles
Location: Dumbo, New York
“My first time eating in Brooklyn, and it was such an amazing experience! This restaurant doesn’t use soy, dairy, or sesame in any dish. They are also able to make all their noodles gluten-free with rice noodles or jasmine rice. There are many items that are also naturally gluten-free or vegan. The waitstaff and owner both confirmed my dish was safe for me by running through each allergen and making sure the chef was aware! I ordered the garlic noodles with a rice base, which they suggested to avoid cross contamination with their gluten noodles. The menu was clearly labeled with allergens and it was such a delicious place. 10/10 for their service and attention to allergens!”
South Korea
Insadong Geujip
Location: Jongno-gu, South Korea
“The staff were super helpful at this Korean fusion restaurant!! It is located in the famous neighborhood of Insadong and is housed in a Korean traditional house! They are known for their Geujip on Rice. I got a rice bowl with avocados, corn, red onions, and various chopped greens. It was a refreshing and healthy meal, and I would love to try some more items off of their menu if I were to go again!”
Gogitjip Wanggeon (고깃집왕건)
Location: Gwangju-si, South Korea
“I loved eating Korean bbq during my trip, and this was probably my favorite place!! We were able to grill the meat right in front of us, and asked for an unseasoned cut for me. They also provided me with wraps and side dishes that were allergy safe. Once the meat was cooked, I was able to use my own dish of smoked salt to sprinkle on top! It was a delicious meal out with my family!”
