Ba Shan

The food at Ba Shan hails from Hunan province, and it definitely doesn’t resemble the takeaway you ate last week. This kind of Chinese food is spicier and doesn’t shy away from chilli - the spicy softshell crab is excellent, and the red-braised pork is non-negotiable, so long as you’re not afraid of pork belly. The best seats are at the front of the restaurant, where it feels like you’re in a traditional inn in the Chinese countryside. It’s a little pricey, but the food’s worth it if you’re looking for a break from the typical Chinatown fare.