Authentic Uyghur Cuisine | Is This Really Toronto's Best Xinjiang Food

Okay, title might be slightly clickbaity—this is actually my second visit (menu on last slide 🧾). Honest thoughts? Way too salty, though portions are generous. Final rating: 7/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 The Vibe (or Lack Thereof) 📍 Location: Feels like a pilgrimage from downtown (Scarborough folks, you’re fine). ⏳ Wait Times: Always a queue. Once waited 30 mins while empty tables sat right there 💁 Service: Sweet but very literal Indian servers (bless their patience with our group of 8). ⏰ Pacing Issues: Appetizers arrived lightning-fast, while the main event (Big Plate Chicken) showed up after we’d finished everything else. The Food Breakdown 🍗 Big Plate Chicken ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pros: Belt noodles soak up the rich (if salty) sauce beautifully. Cons: Chicken had a hint of gaminess even through the heavy spices. Potatoes lacked that melt-in-mouth texture. 🥟 Uyghur Lamb Samosas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Crispy pockets stuffed with onion-lamb filling—heavenly, if you’re willing to wait 40 mins. 🥒 Lamb Tripe & Cucumber Salad ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Chewy tripe + crunchy cukes in a fiery sesame sauce. Perfect palate cleanser! 🍚 Lamb Polo (Hand-Pulled Rice) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star dish! Fragrant with lamb fat, studded with dried fruits and pomegranate seeds—transports you straight to Turpan. 🍲 Lamb Soup ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Deeply savory (though MSG-induced thirst follows). Tender meat, zero gaminess, with a chili oil kick. 🍢 "Toronto’s Largest" Lamb Skewers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jumbo-sized, juicy, and no funk. Combo includes a rock-hard naan (meh) and a refreshing Caesar salad. 🍖 Sesame Lamb Ribs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 MVP! Fall-off-the-bone tender, glazed in a nutty, spicy sauce similar to the tripe’s. Final Notes ✔️ Worth it for: Polo, ribs, and skewers. ❌ Skip if: You’re salt-averse or in a rush. 📌 Charcoal Kebab House 3256 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough #TorontoUyghurFood #XinjiangEats #HiddenGTA #SpicyFoodLover