Published on: October 11, 2019
“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.
Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is a hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu, in southern India. Surrounded by trees, central Ooty Lake is a huge artificial expanse of water with pleasure boats. On the slopes of nearby Elk Hill, the Rose Garden is home to over 2,000 varieties of roses. The Government Botanical Garden, created in the 19th century, features ferns, orchids and a prehistoric, fossilized tree.
Shinkows has a rich history dating back several decades. This beloved establishment has been serving authentic Hakka-style Chinese cuisine for generations, becoming a cherished part of Ooty’s culinary landscape.
The restaurant was founded by Liao Pao Chun, who was born in Kolkata and moved to Ooty at the age of four. Initially, his family ran a shoe shop alongside a small eatery serving both continental and Chinese dishes. In 1971, they expanded the restaurant by adding the Zodiac Room and focused primarily on Chinese cuisine.