Tian Jin

The hot foodie news—both literally and figuratively—is of a new Chinese restaurant that is serving some of the most authentic (and spicy) Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine that’s ever been available in the Twin Cities.

Tian Jin, named after China’s third largest city, was the former home of owner Ryan Ram and his hotel-trained chef. Its Chanhassen strip mall site formerly housed the Giant Panda Buffet, a nondescript, all-you-could eat spot of the type that has given so much suburban Asian fare a bad name. And although there’s still the de rigeur assortment of egg foo’s, moo shoo’s, and sweet-and-sours, what’s got foodies swooning is the extensive Chinese language menu of house specialties. Rather than ask your waitperson to translate each and every item and still not be sure what it contains, the best bet is to leave your ordering in the capable hands of the personable Mr. Ram. There’s no telling what he’ll bring, but it will be the real deal.

There wasn’t a clunker in the ten or so courses I sampled. The pleasures included a sautéed sliced gizzard appetizer topped with crisp julienne vegetables and an order of wok-seared Brussels sprouts. Neither is a dish I would likely order if left to my own devices. Other standouts included butter-tender strips of filet of sole in Szechuan sauce and stir-fried marinated beef cubes paired with whole cloves of “golden garlic.” As for the fabulous version of Chung King chicken, it’s a do-not-miss.

463 W. 79th St., Chanhassen, 952-934-4111