Ooty: “Shinkows” the iconic and authentic Chinese restaurant in Ooty carries with it the Chinese cuisine connections with Nilgiris, that is, of course, a legacy continuing here for more than 60 years.
While there two families of Chinese origin lives in Ooty, the 73 years old Liao Pao Chun, fondly known as “Powks” and “China Dorai' in local circles, who is now the proprietor of Shinkows, said that his forefathers came from Guangdong province in South China and settled down in Kolkata in the 1800's. He said that his father Shinkows came to Ooty in early 1900's and started a footwear shop in the small room in the middle of the present Shinkows restaurant.
'Over the time my father shifted to restaurant business here began to serve the authentic Chinese food. I was born here and now a citizen of India. I studied in the Breeks School in Ooty. My wife Linda, whose family roots were from China, was raised in Kolkata. My two children have settled in Canada now,” Mr. Chun
added and said that he is fluent in Tamil.
Stating that he had never been to China, he added that he is fully engrossed with his restaurant business taking every care to serve the best quality Chinese food to the customers. Observing that people of Nilgiris are very good, hospitable, caring with good helping tendency, he said his family leads a peaceful life in Ooty. When asked, which Indian food he likes most, he said that “Naturally, Idli, Dosa and Sambar”. About the hill delicacies of Nilgiris, he said “Chicken from Badaga cuisine is very delicious”.
