A strip of inexpensive Chinese eateries is emerging on Dingxi Lu, and despite their general bad reputation, cheap local diners needn't mean dingy table tops and unhygienic utensils.

Indeed, Jia Zhen Fang challenges that preconception with its bright white lights shining down on one of the cleanest restaurants we've seen. What's more, the restaurant's semi-circular seats and wooden chairs present a neat and sophisticated sense of style. As for the fare, we tried the thinly-sliced hei jia zai bao (black-peppered beef steak, RMB 17/each), but found it much too oily. However, the waiter's recommendation, ze ze sheng cai bao (lettuce with XO sauce, RMB 19), was truly flavorsome.

Remember to order some calming digestive tea at the beginning of your meal; by the end of your good but greasy meal, you'll need it.

Jia zhen fang
Opening time: 11am-10pm. All cards.
Location: 784 Dingxi Lu, by Yanan Xi Lu
Tel: 021-61169239