Jia 21 Zhaodaisuo

Jia 21 Zhaodaisuo features Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou specialities with a hint of Thai influence. Located off a small alley near the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital, the restaurant’s impressive glass-walled exterior is the first indication that this is no run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant.

Sculptures by artist Gao Xiaowu adorn the interior, along with palm trees, funky chandeliers and lounge chairs – a far cry from the usual round banquet tables. Nami salad loaded with mint leaves comes in a giant bowl and is tossed with a tangy tomato dressing at your table.

Char-grilled aubergine and red peppers with roasted strips of vegetable in a smoky sauce are vibrant and distinctive. Jia 21’s seafood soup is a speciality. It comes served in an enormous bowl that contains crab, prawns, mussels and fish, swimming in a clear broth with leek, lemongrass and lime leaves – a good varierty of ingredients and a nice subtle flavour.

The restaurant does other standard dishes well, like the nicely spiced dan dan noodles, tender steamed fish head, and midoufu, strips of steamed rice cake in savoury and spicy sauce.