Shinkow: enter the dragon in Ooty

By Avijit Nandi Majumdar: From Kolkata to Ooty with love through authentic Chinese cuisine. Liao Pao Chun was born in Kolkata, moved to Ooty holding his father’s hand when he was four years old. His father along with a partner initially made shoes from a rented location only to move into serving breakfast, lunch, dinner for the Britishers. 

“The journey started more than 70 years earlier and from a rented place, we bought the place and expanded the restaurant,” Liao said. Shinkows, as the restaurant is known is extremely popular with the locals and tourists in Ooty. ANM News caught up with his wife Linda in the kitchen. “She is the driver behind the kitchen,” Lioa said. “No, he is the man. He worked extremely hard and still at the young age of 70 plus, he keeps the restaurant running,” she said in between cooking up a few dishes. 

Linda is from Bentick street in Kolkata and she makes sure that the vegetables and spices are mixed in proper proportion. “ We don’t compromise on quality,” Linda said. Liao and Linda are the only Indian Chinese in Ooty as they mentioned that another family is struggling to keep pace. With their children out in Canada and in foreign countries, how do they plan to take the restaurant forward in future. “One of my children might come back to take over the business,” Liao said. Although they have not been to Kolkata recently but they are keen to make a visit to the city and relive their old days with friends in Tangra, Territi bazar and Bentick Street.