This is my secret little place in Glasgow and I honestly do not want to share it with anyone because I like it being "my place" however, I cannot do this in good conscience as I know for every little independent to thrive, they must have custom. So here I am about to (begrudgingly) expose one of Glasgow's best kept secrets.
Firstly, Asian Gourmet is a humble place. No fancy décor (although, bless their little metal woks, they have tried...), no leather bound menus and no fancy presentation. The place looks more like an amateur converted basement but I kinda like that. Not all Chinese places are red and covered in lanterns, folks. So, you go down the steps from the pavement and wind your way under the arch to enter the restaurant. Everything seems to be written in Chinese - a good sign of a decent place! You are then greeted by usually friendly servers - never unfriendly but sometimes when they are so busy, it can be a bit hasty, but that is ok when you know of the mighty delicious food that is awaiting you. And they do speak English, too which is a bonus for anyone who doesn't speak Mandarin or other Chinese languages. The menu comes in the form of a rather homemade booklet that has seen better days, written in both Chinese and English. Don't be put off by the "Duck Tongue" or "Intestine" dishes - I have actually tried the intestine dish and I tell you, it is the most delicious ever! Don't be squeamish with your sensibilities and just go for it! 1.3 billion people cant be wrong! So, what are my usual dishes? I ordered "chong bao yeung newk" aka stir-fried lamb and spring onion - and BOOM! Your eyes pop and your mouth is the happiest it has ever been - this dish is SO delicious yet so humble, it takes you right back to the land! It sparks in you something basic, something natural and from the ground, far away from the factories of the processed food that we shove down our gullets everyday. What I am saying is folks, this dish is something Mrs Wong from somewhere in China would be serving her children knowing that it is as nutritious as it is delicious. The next dish is "fo yui hong sum choi" - a vegetarian dish that is a Chinese leafy veg with a hollow stem and long tapering leaves, sautéed in preserved tofu and chillies. Delightful! This is followed by "mong go knaw yeuk" - Mongolian Beef - the type of dish that you shake your head at in awe as you chew the delectable spicy strips of battered beef that has been wok fried with a heady mix of spices. Last but by no means least, the "jah tai cheung" fried salt and chilli intestine. This is the most delicious version I have ever tasted - the intestine is sliced and fried in a very light batter then stir-fried with chillies, spring onion and celery. It is delicate, crispy, light and full of what I suppose some chefs might call "umami" flavour. I have made many a convert on this dish, just so you know. Food is food. They also do an amazing curry sauce (try the king prawn curry - yum!). Traditionally in Chinese (and many Asian countries), dinner is served banquet style for a family feel ie, you order several dishes to be shared in the middle of the table but you can order Western style, too if you prefer, by ordering individually. All this is served with a fluffy Thai jasmine rice. The menu prices are fair - ranging from around £5-£15 per dish. Everything is made in house. Ok, the plates along with the menus might have seen better days, too, with their little chipped sides and faded patterns, but the portion sizes are handsome and plentiful and that's enough for me. You get Chinese tea and free pickles to kick start the journey, so sit back, enjoy and know that this is the closest you'll get to dining in China without actually going to China. And let me tell you, that flight to the other side of the world is a killer, so to have Asian Gourmet on our door step with its mighty flavours and fierce authenticity even with its faded menus and chipped plates, this place is a real nugget of gold in an increasingly homogenised society. I say "gong bui" (cheers!) to Asian Gourmet and may they continue to serve many more bowls of rice for years to come! Enjoy, folks! read more