How can I choose just one favourite restaurant?

The answer, I suppose, is that I can’t. There’s far too much to choose from in our fair city – and the choice is constantly changing. That being said, one of my favourite places in Glasgow has to be Asia Style on St. Georges Road. It’s not fancy and it’s not expensive but I’ve never had anything less than a fantastic meal there. It’s a mixture of standard Chinese restaurant dishes like green pepper and black bean sauce, sweet and sour, or Chinese-style curry (all done really well) and Malay, Nyonya and Malaysian-Chinese dishes like Hainan chicken rice, soft shell chile crab, rice porridges, curries, laksas and a number of dishes that are done ‘Malaysia style’. Don’t worry about the distinctions between the different cuisines – they are all delicious. Many people who have had the pleasure of travelling in Asia have sworn to the authenticity of the flavours. All I know is that it makes me very, very happy to have a meal there!

The décor is simple and basic and we are rarely lucky enough to arrive at time when there is no line for a table. Part of the enjoyment of the meal is watching what everyone else is getting and trying to figure out what it is. Staff are very helpful with this, as are your fellow diners generally speaking – it’s definitely the kind of buzzing atmosphere that would encourage you to lean over and ask your neighbours what that wonderful thing is that they are eating. It’s one of the best ways to zero in on something new that you want to try. In fact, one of my biggest problems in Asia Style is ordering something new – and not for lack of choice. Rather I have loved the dishes that I have sampled so much that it seems heart- breaking to try something new and leave a well-loved dish un-tasted for the day.

Another joy of eating here is that the portions are generous and I almost always have leftovers for lunch the next day. Of course, my colleagues are not always thrilled when I use the communal microwave at the office to heat up something that has shrimp paste in it – a common ingredient, rather like the Mediterranean use of anchovies, which can be a bit pungent for some but adds a marvellous savoury quality to everything it touches.

So what’s not to love - this is a stellar place for a meal; it won’t break the bank; it’s a great place for a group meal or a party (book first for this though) to enjoy lots of shared plates and last but not least, you can get take away and enjoy the fabulousness in your own home. Oh – and you can join the Facebook Asia Style Appreciation group if you need to connect with others who understand once you are hooked!

Details: 185 St Georges Road, Glasgow, G36JD, 0141 332 8828