William Oakley, head chef at Jah Wok Chinese/Jamaican Take-out Restaurant, chops up some roast chicken to serve to a waiting customer.

Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Jah Wok Chinese/Jamaican Takeout Restaurant is an ingenious concept, if only for its name.

While 'hot woks' sizzled with the culinary efforts of head chef William Oakley, owner Ian Bruce told Food the story Jah Wok, for the over three years it has been open.

"I thought I'd go into the Chinese food business since I eat it so much, and it's the only type of food that I can personally cook," explains Bruce.

His wife coined the clever name for the restaurant, which has a home in Duhaney Park Shopping Centre, Duhaney Park, and is reminiscent of London, or New York-styled takeout windows. Bruce proudly boasts of offering the, "best box food" around those parts, giving customers choice selections of Jamaican and Chinese cuisine.

The group of anxious customers at their window was testament to the support Jah Wok has been receiving from the surrounding community.

Extensive menu

Curried goat served with plain rice and steamed vegetables is one dish on their Jamaican take-out menu. - photos by winston sill/freelance photographer

One big part of their allure is their rather extensive menu, coupled with reasonable pricing. Chinese dishes range from $280 to $500, and Jamaican dishes start at $210.

Jah Wok offers all 65 menu items everyday, not just five or 10, like similar Chinese takeout joints. Bruce explains that his complement of proper refrigeration facilities allows him to doso, where other restaurants cannot.

Consequently, everything you order is fresh. Though certain orders such as sweet and sour chicken are inevitable, Jah Wok does not pre-prepare such dishes in anticipation of orders. Instead, everything is cooked to order.

"It takes just a few minutes," says Bruce of the time it takes to whip up one of the Chinese dishes. It is the searing heat of the 'hot woks' in the kitchen which facilitate the quick-cooking style characteristic of Chinese cuisine.

Although Jah Wok faces competition from a popular 'quick service' restaurant just next door, it is still holding its own. So much so, Bruce revealed that he intends to expand his operations and open another Jah Wok in the Corporate Area within the next three months.

Until then, customers can continue patronising the Duhaney Park location, by visiting their window, calling in orders, or making catering arrangements.