Cheap as chips: Red Castle

The impressive variety of Chinese food shops and restaurants in the busy streets behind Madinat Zayed shopping centre has led to the area becoming known as Abu Dhabi's unofficial Chinatown. Although the best-known northern Chinese eatery in the area is Beijing, nearby Red Castle has the superior cuisine.
After stepping through the door you're shepherded upstairs into a small but bright room. The menu is extensive and the food comes quickly. The spicy wonton soup is a refreshing appetiser. For the mains, don't overlook the vegetable dishes, which are just as delicious as the meat options. The garlic broccoli packs a huge flavour into crunchy stir fried veg, as does the Chinese lettuce with black mushrooms.
The restaurant's fare skilfully avoids the most common criticism levelled at Chinese food - being too greasy. Even the Manchurian beef (deep fried with chili) is moist and tender. Chicken cashew and ginger duck are also light and fresh. Red Castle loses points for lacklustre presentation. The service is exceptionally friendly but a little sloppy - they didn't just forget to pour my tea, the cup and pot were left on the other side of the table. This is forgivable though, considering the delicious authentic and well-priced food - a soup, drink and main course comes to around Dh60.
Behind Madinat Zayed, between Airport and Muroor Roads (02 633 5680)