About
Welcome to Central East Asian Cuisine 印象新疆, a vibrant culinary gem nestled in the heart of Chicago at 2353-2355 S Wentworth Ave. This restaurant captivates with authentic flavors and rich traditions from western China, specifically the enchanting region of Xinjiang. As you step inside, you are not just entering a restaurant but embarking on a gastronomic journey that will tantalize your taste buds.
The menu is a celebration of bold, distinctive tastes, featuring dishes that have garnered rave reviews from satisfied patrons. Take, for instance, the lamb kebabs (羊肉串), which have earned the admiration of diners like Ke, who reminisced about their mouthwatering experience reminiscent of Xinjiang’s streets. The lamb is cooked to perfection, often noted for its tenderness and exquisite seasoning, making it a must-try for anyone venturing into the world of Central East Asian cuisine.
Ritz Xu shared a delightful encounter with the Xinjiang big chicken plate, emphasizing its generous portions that can easily satisfy multiple meals. The highlight of her visit was the lamb skewers, enriched by their perfect fat-to-meat ratio, infusing each bite with unparalleled flavor. This sentiment is echoed repeatedly by patrons, who find joy in the robust, savory essence of the dishes.
Another standout dish is the 烤包子 (meat buns), cherished by Irene Liu for its authenticity and generous fillings. It's this commitment to quality and flavor that sets Central East Asian Cuisine apart. The blend of spices and herbs used in every dish speaks to the restaurant's dedication to bringing the soul of Xinjiang’s culinary traditions to Chicago.
Samuel Thomason's experience shines a light on the communal aspect of dining here, with traditional recessed hot pot stoves and a menu filled with tantalizing choices such as cumin lamb, beef hot pot, and sweet deep-fried pork. Each dish offers an adventure, providing not only generous portions but memorable encounters with authentic dishes.
Bringing friends along is highly recommended, as the ambiance complements the multisensory experience of indulging in these rich flavors. The attentive staff ensures a welcoming environment, enhancing your culinary exploration.
For those eager to expand their culinary horizons, your visit wouldn’t be complete without exploring the array of skewers - from heart to tendon, and tender squid. The positive atmosphere at Central East Asian Cuisine 印象新疆 invites you to return time and again, eager to try exceptional dishes like their famed hot pot, vowing to return for more.
So take the plunge—uncover the delightful offerings of Central East Asian Cuisine. With every meal, you’re not just enjoying food; you’re experiencing a mosaic of culture, tradition, and authentic flavors that will linger in your memory long after the last bite.
“ Lamb kebabs (羊肉串) is super good! Never had such a good lamb in the US. This taste reminds me of the days in Xinjiang. Highly recommend lamb! I wonder how they got such a nice lamb. 石河子凉皮(shihezi liangpi) is more like 东北拉皮, though. Price is reasonable. I would definitely go again! Recommend anyone from NorthWest from China to give it a try! ”
“ My experience is pretty good here. The food portion is big. We ordered the xinjiang big chicken plate. My husband and I ate it for three meals. Highly recommend the lamb skewers! I like the part that their skewers has fat in the middle which makes skewers even better. Also the cold spice chicken also tastes really good, the numbness is great, though maybe a bit too sweet. In general we love the food we get and we will definitely be back and try fried noodles that we did not get the chance to order. ”
“ i liked their 烤包子 the most, the filling was very delicious and they don’t cheat on ingredients! although the囊烤肉 is majority of carbs less meat but still tasty. The skewers were great so recommend you to try! ”
“ Very authentic western Chinese cuisine. Wait staff were friendly and helpful. I love the fact that they had the traditional recessed hot pot stoves built into the tables. We had cumin lamb, beef hot pot and sweet deep fried pork. I couldn’t figure out which was my favourite, as they were all absolutely delicious and in incredibly generous portion sizes. Definitely a fun place to go with friends for a very delicious and authentic meal! ”
“ Everything was so good!! We got a whole bunch of skewers, the meat bun, and fried noodles! Our favs were the heart, tendon, beef, lamb, gizzard, squid for the skewers. The meat bun was SO good too!! Hope to be back soon to try the hot pot. The servers were so nice & service was great. Highly recommend! ”
“ This restaurant was a very pleasant surprise. Chicaho’s Chinatown has changed enormously since the days before the pandemic, and this is one of the new restaurants that has cropped up in the past months. I should start by saying most customers were Asian, which is usually a good indicator that the food is authentic, good and not very pricey. And it was all of the above! If you have never has Western Chinese food, it is a completely different experience and taste profile. Lamb features prominently, and the flavor profile is interesting and fresh. We ate like kings. I particularly recommend the fried cabbage and the fried tofu cold salad (not sure what the name was exactly but that’s a faithful description). ”
“ We keep coming back and their food always beats our expectations. We’ve referred this place to many friends and everyone enjoys it. Keep up the great food! ”
“ Great food that actually tastes like what we’ve had in China. Great portions too! ”