Montreal’s Uyghur Restaurant Scene Keeps Growing | Eater Montreal

"Tucked in a discreet strip mall on Newman Boulevard in Lasalle, Le Taklamakan became renowned for its kebabs and samsas and for a greatest-hits assortment of Uyghur dishes—petir manta (steamed lamb dumplings), goshnan (baked meat pie), polo (lamb pilaf), and big plate chicken (da pan ji / chong texse toxu qorumisi) served on a bed of hand-pulled laghman noodles—dishes that helped change the perception that Uyghur restaurants couldn’t succeed in Montreal. The restaurant was built when Elzat Elham, a former truck driver who wanted to settle for his family, launched the place after Samad spent months teaching him the menu and techniques; Jan says “Elzat does the winners and he does them well.” Despite a discreet location, the spot draws mainly Chinese customers, immigrants from Russia and Central Asia, and Muslim families seeking halal meals, though business has been challenged by the pandemic and delivery apps like Fantuan have been vital." - Christopher DeWolf