Ane 158 Hotel Jianyang Branch

Tucked away in a longstanding residential area, this noodle shop has a loyal following. The noodles are either served in spicy or white broth, or tossed in various seasoning pastes. For noodle soup, try their signature eight-treasure white broth made with chicken, bamboo shoots and dried seafood including shrimps, squids and oysters. Or have your bouncy noodles tossed in the famous mala chilli pork sauce for heady, addictive aromas.

Named after a poet from the Tang Dynasty, this branch of the chain opened in 2018 in a scenic area famous for its flowering plum trees. Two rustically styled buildings are connected by lush greenery. The menu features Sichuan home cooking and river fish, such as yellowhead catfish prepared in a myriad of ways. But most diners prefer it simmered in a spicy, tangy broth perfumed with green Sichuan pepper and Chinese patchouli. Reservations recommended at weekends.

Since graduating from culinary school, the owner-chef always wanted to open a one-of-a-kind establishment like this. The room is furnished in a rustic country style and is divided into zones, while food-related artefacts add interest to the experience. Traditional Sichuanese flavours are re-invented with Western techniques, witty word play and arty presentations. Standouts include fish head with artisan gluten noodles in a golden pea soup.

From its lake-side location and lush garden, to private rooms with spaces for chess playing, flower watching and incense burning, every nook and cranny of Silver Cottage exudes an elegant aura à la Song Dynasty. The menu features Sichuan classics, like the painstakingly prepared dish snowflake minced chicken, all prepared with the freshest produce. Diners must book a private room and live Chinese zither recitals make the experience unforgettable.

The on-trend decor feels laid back; the menu showcases an array of home-style Taizhou classics, including seafood from the East China Sea, which can be steamed, braised, served in a sizzling claypot or even fried with chillies and aromatics. The pork tripe and chicken in gingery broth, a winter favourite, is served piping hot in a claypot for exceptional flavours. Try also shi bing tong – a pancake roll filled with pork, eel and vegetables.

The Hunanese brand manager and kitchen team strive to re-create specialities from their home province as authentically as possible. The must-try fish head steamed with five different chillies flown in from Hunan mesmerises with a complex depth of spiciness, remarkable umami and punchy tartness. The 18-second stir-fried Xiangxi yellow beef uses the clod cut, rife with meaty flavour, in conjunction with chillies and aromatics for a real kick.

This restaurant in an upmarket shopping mall serves an array of Fujian dishes with a Sichuanese twist. Most produce and seafood is shipped from Fujian, including squid from Zhangzhou, which is cooked in typical Sichuanese shuizhu style. The nourishing soup "Buddha jumps over the wall" is made with gourmet dried seafood for briny-sweet richness. For dessert, panna cotta with dai hong pao oolong tea melds velvety texture with floral earthiness.