Tian Ya BBQ is located at 54 Maple Ave. in downtown Barrie, about 100km n. of Toronto. It's not too long of a walk from the Allandale Waterfront GO train station so is transit-accessible even at that distance. We went for weekend lunch. AYCD pop is available for $2.59 and was not dilute. Tian Ya has sushi, a couple of dim sum offerings and soups that a sushi place would have. The grills are electric rather than gas-fired so produce much less smoke; probably are healthier for this reason too (flames produce nitrosamines and PAHs which are known carcinogens.) Disposable chopsticks are used unfortunately, but of course we bring our own. Soy at table was very fresh, only slightly sweet and excellent. Nice atmospheric music was playing; Mishy liked the ambiance.
Mishy said the kimchi was the best she ever had and I agreed it was excellent. Miso soup we both loved as well, as it was rich and savoury and delicious. Hot and sour soup was very slightly burned but not enough to matter; still good. Tofu was very well-spiced.
On the grill, chicken was delicious and very well seasoned. Pork sausage was delicious and traditionally spiced. Beef was of course delicious, especially with some cumin powder provided at table.
General Tao chicken was quite good with an interesting sauce. Sesame chicken was just General Tao with sesame seeds. Pork shiu mai was very good although had a hint of a flavour I couldn't identify. Shrimp hargau was excellent. Spring rolls were good though the sauce was a bit thin. Green pepper rings and mushrooms were very good paired with the soy and table seasoning. Wonton soup very different and original broth and was very good and delicious.
Salmon nigiri was delicious and fresh as good as at a sushi specialty, as was red snapper/tilapia and butterfish/escolar. Crab surimi nigiri was very good and fresh, as was shrimp nigiri.
For dessert only mango and vanilla ice creams were available, but mango was amazing and very fresh. Vanilla was good. Service was fast and friendly and helpful (the waitress caught that I had undercooked some of my chicken, for example.) There were no noted shortcomings, everything was good to excellent and the price is fantastically good especially considering this... weekend lunch was only $21.99. Tian Ya is one of those hidden treasures whose discoveries make our long outings worth it.
Rating: 9.5-10 / 10
