Mr Chans, located on North Road in St Helens originally opened its doors in 1989, and has since become a staple in the town.
With an extensive gluten free menu and strict contamination guidelines, as well as featuring on the Coeliac UK register, the restaurant has become a go-to for coeliacs, and those with allergies and intolerances to gluten in the borough.
Owner, Charlie Chan told the Star that he first introduced gluten free cooking at the Chinese restaurant in the seventies, when a customer requested that his meal was made with gluten free flour.
In the years since, Mr Chan researched coeliac disease and the impact of gluten on those with the condition, completing research on topics such as the gut microbiome and the impact of gluten for the University of Liverpool.
Now an expert, Charles provides reassurance to his visitors through rules he has implemented at the restaurant, ensuring customer safety is priority.
Mr Chans Chinese restaurant offers an extensive menu of gluten free dishes (Image: St Helens Star)
All cooks on site have been educated on gluten free cooking and how the protein can impact coeliacs. All ingredients that enter the building are separated from the cooking area, while the meticulous owner ensures there has been no cross-contamination in the production process.
Such care is taken that all ingredients enter the kitchen in their raw form, with Charlie personally grinding spices for gluten free dishes, to avoid any potential contamination from production.
The owner told the Star that gluten free ingredients such as gluten free soy sauces and oyster sauces are even avoided due to the chance of contamination during manufacturing.
Food manufacturers can legally label food as ‘gluten free’ if they contain 20 parts per million (ppm) or less of gluten, however, it is argued that the product therefore still contains gluten, and may still cause harm to coeliacs and people with an intolerance.
The restaurant introduced gluten free cooking in the seventies (Image: St Helens Star)
Mr Chans provides a lengthy gluten free menu with plenty of choice, including fish, meat and vegetarian options across a range of meat, rice, noodle, soup, dim sum and side dishes.
How we found it
Star reporter, Niamh Green, who is coeliac, tried some staple items on the gluten free menu, namely Singapore style noodles, salt and pepper chicken, homemade curry sauce and chicken egg fried rice.
Each dish tasted was delicious, and tasted typical of Chinese dishes that contain gluten. The salt and pepper chicken was light and crispy and packed with flavour, whilst the Singapore style noodle – made with rice noodles – packed a punch for those who enjoy that kick of heat.
The homemade curry sauce, made in Mr Chan’s personal kitchen to avoid contamination, was thick and full of flavour and complemented the egg fried rice wonderfully. The missing ingredient of soy sauce in the rice was completely un-noticeable, other than in appearance, with the rice lacking the distinct darkened edges typically seen in the dish. Flavour, however was not lacking whatsoever.
Niamh tried the Singapore style noodles, salt and pepper chicken, chicken egg fried rice and curry sauce (Image: St Helens Star)
An authentic taste of a Chinese dish often missed by coeliacs is easily found in Mr Chans, with an owner who has expert knowledge on the safety of handing gluten, and cross contamination.
Understanding Charlie Chan’s strict procedures to ensure safety in customers with coeliac disease is reassuring, allowing customers to enjoy delicious food in an environment free of uncertainty or worry when it comes to food safety.
Mr Chans Chinese restaurant in St Helens is a coeliac safe haven in the borough and beyond.
Where are your favourite gluten free spots in St Helens? Let Niamh know at niamh.green@newsquest.co.uk.