TT Skewer
As I start to get my bearings around Philly, I knew that a trip to Chinatown was imminent. Like in any other big city the Chinatown area plays a massive role in the cuisine of the city.
Usually, a destination for both College kids and tourists alike for cheap eats and exotic thrills I usually find myself drawn to the area as well. The Chinatown Friendship gate located at 10th and Arch Street is both a city and historic monument that symbolizes the friendship between Philadelphia and their Chinese sister city of Tianjin.
As I navigate around the streets of Chinatown and just had my 1st Philly cheesesteak experience earlier, I was craving for something smoky. I wandered on N 11th St and found TT Skewer which is a charcoal grill skewer restaurant. I immediately had lamb cumin in mind and started craving for some offal cuts of meat as well. As I walked in the restaurant, I was lucky enough to meet Chef Eddie and his wife Sunny who both operate the place. They ushered me to my table and handed me the menu and I knew I was about to have a great meal.
I started with a trio of skewers, lamb meat, lamb kidney and chicken gizzard. This is a normal set up for me and they did not disappoint. The skewers had the right spice (A LOT…)
Next was the cold tripe salad in red oil which is another favorite of mine. This dish was superb with a balance set of flavors and the tripe cooked perfectly.
I spoke to Sunny and asked her what the specialty dish of the restaurant and she is recommended that I tried the braised lamb bones. As she served the braised lamb bone and some shrimp fried rice to accompany the main course, I was invited by their friends to share a beer with them.
The meal has now turned into an occasion, and I am more at ease as I slowly work on the lamb bones. They were braised tender, and the sauce perfectly coated the lamb and had all the right flavors to be selected by me as dish of the night.
This evening turned out to be quite eventful as not only was the meal superb, but I also made new friends and learned more about Northern Chinese cuisine. I will be back soon enough for more…
#KULINARYATRAVELS is off for my 2nd Cheesesteak at Jim’s South Street next…