Blizzardboy | A Kiwi in Australia

Korla has a new international restaurant. Sabbath, a Brazilian restaurant opened a couple of weeks ago on Jiao Tong Xi Road. We went to the opening, gatecrashing a dinner organized by a foreign mining venture. They had a band – a couple of Brazilians playing music which was a welcome change from karaoke and badly distorted house.

Although they had some vegetarian options the main focus is meat, meat and more meat. Waiters wander round with chunks of the red stuff on skewers and carve off lumps for the punters. There is a smorgasbord – thats where we got our fill, but I wonder if they really eat food like that in Brazil. Usual story of adjusting, compromising menus to cater to local tastes.

Sabbath also has a restaurant in Urumqi. I found David Wong had written up a visit he made there.

Nisagul and I instead took lunch at Sabbath, a Brazilian spot frequented by Urumqi’s nouveaux riches. It’s clear who’s making the money out in Xinjiang: while all food is halal, the diners have consistently been Han Chinese whenever I’ve visited.

It was a bit ironic to look around at the other customers when a Brazilian band took the stage. “How can they not move during such a beautiful song?” Nisagul wondered aloud. Nisagul was the only one swaying and dancing while the Chinese sat stiffly in their seats. “If only Rahila were here now,” she continued. “We’d be together on the floor, dancing like crazy.”

I’ve found the kinds of dance my Uighur friends love impressive, if unexpected. There are traditional local styles that they can all do beautifully, but Rahila’s favorite dances are waltz and salsa. Nisagul is a hip-hop fan.

“If only you could dance,” Nisagul went on. I don’t know whether I actually blushed, but did feel ashamed that I was essentially in the same inert state as the Chinese at the other tables. We made a bargain that if she would teach me some basic steps I would take them both to dinner at Sabbath some future night.

I think I’ll be getting the better end of the deal on that one.

Damn straight. At 76 RMB a male head, and 36 RMB a female one, the price is steep. But if meat on sticks tickles your bootlaces then Sabbath might just be the place for you in Korla.