MANRIKA

* Cuisine: Chinese
* Where: Azabu-Juban
* Tel: 03 3452 5510
* Website: click pic
* Menu: E/J
* Cost: around 1,500 per head
* Ohishi: gyoza
* Rating: ---

Often crowded with a mix of Japanese and local gaijin but these days the surly staff and close-proximity seating is not worth putting up with to sample what seems to have become rather complacent cuisine. Both the steamed and fried gyoza is tasty but the main menu noodle items are less than stellar. No big deal anymore.

DAI REN

* Cuisine: Chinese
* Where: Mita
* Tel: 03-3541-4664.
* English Menu: Pictures but no English.
* Cost: 4,020 for 2, no alcohol
* Ohishi: sweet and sour chicken
* Ordered: gyoza (steamed, boiled and fried), ramen, Kimchee cha han.
* Rating: ---

Renowned for their gyoza and well-patronised because of it, seating was at a premium on a Thursday night. Service is lightning fast and a little more smiley than similarly-priced establishments. Portions are generous and every dish was palatable and value for money. The style is a little more take-away than ideal and even the chicken singled out was batter and sauce heavy but at these prices the value for money was not an issue. However, considering Kei Chin Rou with its next-level cooking and competitive pricing is right opposite, and the myriad of other Mita options around the corner, it should be a while before the next visit here.

LAI-KA

* Cuisine: Chinese
* Where: Ginza
* Tel: 03-3541-4664. Click the pic for directions.
* English Menu: ?
* Cost: ?
* Ohishi: nothing
* Ordered: lunch course
* Rating: --

Small portions with a generous variety of flavours at this Higashi Ginza spot. Everything here has a flower motif and the fare seems squarely pitched at the female market. Bite sized, lightly spiced dishes were interesting and tasty with a little unexpected twist here and there - pumpkin and sharks fin soup, for example. No particular problems but no real reason to return.

KEI CHIN ROU

• Cuisine: Chinese
• Where: Mita
• Tel: 03-3457-6808
• Picture menu but no English
• Cost: 2,600 yen for two without alcohol
• Ohishi: won ton, steamed gyoza, sweet & sour rib
• Also: leek cakes, ramen
• Rating: ----

Fantastic value for money on the backstreets of studentland. Ignore the typically Chinese service and feet-picking porter in plain view because Kei Chin Rou serves fare as fine as most of Hong Kong's best. This was the third of what is sure to be many more visits. No problem seating on a weekend evening (although Sunday is more entertaining if the kids are waiting tables again) and no problem parking at off-peak meters down the street.