Ethnic Food Scene Offers Edmontonians Cuisine from Around the World
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In a city as diverse as Edmonton, you expect to find every cuisine under the sun. And from spicy Indian to authentic Thai, you can truly have it all.
“Edmonton has some really great ethnic restaurants and casual owner-operated bistros,” says Mary Bailey, editor of City Palate magazine. “That’s what we do best.”
Residents must think so, too. New Asian Village, one of the first Indian restaurants in the area, opened in 1973 with a small, 28-seat restaurant. Now there are four outposts around the city, room enough for hundreds of diners.
“It is very traditional cuisine influenced by my mother,” says owner Harmeep Kapur. “It is very flavorful. Indian food is a food where spicy does not mean hot.”
Of course, you can ask for plenty of heat if you like it that way. And the restaurants are now offering a healing food menu, based on ayurvedic practices.
“We will use a few drops olive oil and lots of spices,” says Kapur. “Spices and garlic calm you down.”
If you’re feeling like Chinese food instead, head over to the popular Lingnan, which specializes in Cantonese and Szechuen cuisine. Open since 1947, the traditional food is available for dine-in or carryout. Favorites like Singapore noodles, a curried dish with veggies, share the spotlight with the more exotic peaches and cream shrimp and lobster tail Canton with minced pork, garlic and black bean sauce. The decadent décor is all red satin and gilded edges, with an equally opulent banquet room.
And for those craving a heaping plate of pad thai, The King and I is the place to go. Consistently winning “best of” awards in the area, those new to Thai food will appreciate the flavorful – but not too spicy hot – cuisine. From curries and peanut-based noodle dishes to a flavorful Phuket seafood soup, the King and I always comes out on top.
Story by Hollie Deese
Photo by Jeff Adkins
