Hsing Chinese Cuisine

Set in London's leafy Little Venice, Hsing is a neighbourhood Chinese with charm. The word 'hsing' represents the five essences of life, which bring completeness when combined, and this pretty restaurant lays claim to all five: metal (it's opposite a bank), wood (the surrounding streets are tree-lined), water (it's right next to Regent's Canal), fire (it makes fantastic use of the wok) and earth (the basement offers an 'earthy environmental dining area'). This perfect balance is reflected in the food: a starter of paper-wrapped king prawns is both light and succulent, while other options include grilled Peking dumplings and Szechuan hot and sour soup. Move on to fresh lobster with spicy chilli sauce; try one of Hsing's speciality wraps, choosing from seafood, duck or lamb; or get your kicks from one of the well-seasoned sizzling dishes. Some intriguing vegetable, rice and noodle choices round things off nicely.