Guide to eating in Chinese restaurants

There are two things to note about eating in China:

1. the Chinese food is nothing like the Chinese food you get back home;

2. the best places to eat are sometimes small, family-run businesses.

China is a large country, with a wide range of cuisine available, from spicy and hot to Turkish-like dishes in the far west. Unfortunately many eating establishments use too much oil, MSG and chilli than you might like to consume.

But as a rule, eat where locals eat. That might be a hole-in-the-wall place rather than a hotel restaurant.