Xinjiang Restaurant - the "not-so-Chinese" food

If you've ever been to China, you should have noticed the food stalls selling street meat on a stick, also known as a lamb kabobs. In the streets of Beijing, a typical kabob would cost about 0.50 Yuan, or about 0.10 CAD, and it was often accompanied by bottles of Tsing Tao beer. As good as those memories were, it's been impossible to find this kind of food that comes from the Xinjiang province in China, a province that borders Central Asia and is known for its Uyghur people and for its "not-so-Chinese" food.

There is now a place where you can sample this "not-so-Chinese" food at a restaurant with a to-the-point name called Xinjiang Restaurant. The place serves Central Asian/Chinese cuisine that resembles more on the Chinese side while serving Halal meat.

Atmosphere:
Upon entering the restaurant, the carpets on the walls and Islamic caligraphy art will strike as an oddity. And though this is a Xinjiang thing, I would consider this tacky at best, as the decorations don't do the real thing justice. The tables are rather small and arranged so tightly with other tables to be considered uncomfortable. The lighting is rather dim and the ventilation a little stuffy due to the overwhelming combination of scents from neighbouring dishes.

Food:
If you can't take the heat, this is probably not the best place for you. The food is fantasticly hot with a side of numbing sensation steming from the "mala" spice (literally meanining numbing-hottness). For the more adventurous, try the lamb kabobs and chicken wings with the numbing-hot spice, though no spice is also optional. Other Xinjiang specialities that the restaurant does quit well include "Da Pan Ji" (Big Pan Chicken), Na'an bread covered with meat, and the Xinjiang pulled noodles that's found in a variety of dishes. Though these dishes are all very spicy, the numbing-hot sensation is truely unique and a must-try. The food is great, comes in big portions, and I consider it authentic, bearing in mind that this is the only restaurant that serves this in Toronto. Drink lots of water and don't mind the oil.

Rating:
Xinjiang food is awesome and this restauarant does a pretty good job with the food. If you don't mind the tackiness, remember that you are coming for the food and not for the atmosphere. I give this restaurant 2.5 stars - a mix between memorable dishes and dishes worth a try. A special trip for a late night snack to sample the lamb kabobs and wings is well worth it.

Rating: 2.5 Stars - offers memorable dishes
Price: $$ - Moderate
Location: Steeles Avenue @ Ferrier Street, Metro Square