Ped (13 August 2010)

There is nowhere else in Glasgow that makes me feel transported to another country so much as Asia Style. Besides the number of Chinese patrons, the kitchen-bright Cantina atmosphere, and the free fresh green tea, the food is so authentic much of it makes your taste buds feel they're a very long way from home - so unrecognizable is it from the range of tastes usually found in UK Chinese restaurants. While perhaps not the place for a romantic date unforgiving strip light more redolent of love dulled by domesticity it is, however, unrivalled as a place to eat salt and pepper squid, whose simple perfection lingers in the mind as maddeningly as a Lady Gaga tune. Everyone I know who has tried it hankers after it, and has had to return for more. My own personal favourite is the thick cut fish soup, with its peppery spiciness - which seems at first a bit subtle and enigmatic but soon gets the juices flowing, if you know what I mean. Like most dishes, its served in a generous portion an urn of the stuff; truly a meal in itself. Asia Style doesn't open till 5pm, but with closing at 3 AM it is not only one of the city's most exciting eateries it is also one of its latest openings. Hard to find in its horrible location beside the M8 at St George's Cross, but that only adds to the charm.