Rowdy's Indian & Hakka is a South Asian restaurant on Kingston Road, just south of Lawrence.

Opening in March 2023, Rowdy's is a family establishment in both senses of the term: not only does it cater to families, the business is co-owned by two families.

Sandeep Semwal serves as the head chef, while his wife, Archana, and friends, Rohan and Malaika Dcosta, support him both in and out of the kitchen.The restaurant's decor toes the line between classy and casual. Fairy lights adorn the windows and brightly coloured balls hang from the ceiling.

Dark wood and stone dominate, with pops of orange and blue to keep it from looking too oppressive.Wooden dividers section off small areas of the dining room, giving diners their privacy without detracting from the restaurant's overall aesthetic.

On weekends, Rowdy's offers an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. According to Archana, this weekly event often draws sizable crowds.

Though Rowdy's menu encompasses a wide range of South Asian flavours, it places a particular emphasis on North Indian and Hakka cuisine.

Chicken lollipops ($16.99) are a staple of Hakka restaurants throughout the city.

These spicy chicken drumsticks can be eaten dry or with gravy. We chose the kind with gravy.

Though the red sauce makes the chicken a much messier meal, it also adds a unique texture that the lollipops would otherwise lack.

Manchow soup ($7.99) is another classic Indo-Chinese appetizer.

This thick brown soup is brimming with all sorts of delicious vegetables, including corn, cabbage and peppers. Crispy fried noodles are served on the side and chicken can be added for a dollar extra.

Butter chicken ($16.99) combines fragrant spices with rich, creamy tomato sauce for a dish that is equal parts sweet and savoury.

Garlic naan ($3.99) is an ideal companion for the butter chicken, but can also be used to sop up sauce from other dishes.

Chola bhatura ($14.99) is the North Indian cousin of Trinidadian doubles.

Soft bhatura bread is served with a bowl of curried chickpeas, garnished with onions and cilantro. The non-veg kebab platter ($21.99) is a colourful assortment of grilled meats.

Chunks of chicken are arranged in a rainbow and sprinkled with red onions. Sliced cucumbers and carrots are also included, along with a side of mint chutney.

If you order Rowdy's chicken hakka sizzler ($22.99), you'll probably hear it well before it arrives at the table.

This dish really lives up to its name, crackling loudly on its plate as it travels through the dining room.

The platter is a mixture of rice, chicken, vegetables and noodles, bundled together on a bed of lettuce.

Light, cold and creamy, sweet lassi ($3.99) is the perfect summer drink. Its smooth texture makes it all too easy to slurp up in a single sitting.

Mango lassi ($4.99) offers the same kind of refreshment, with the added benefit of a tangy, fruity flavour. 

Though the word "rowdy" suggests a noisy, disorderly atmosphere, the environment at Rowdy’s is anything but.

With its large portions and attentive staff, it's clear that the team wants their diners to enjoy their meals at a comfortable, leisurely pace.

Rowdy's Indian & Hakka is located at 4352 Kingston Road, Unit 9.