Five restaurants offering Eastern Promise

Pan Asian Canteen, Paxton's Head, 153 Knightsbridge, SW1 (020 7589 6627) £25. A sophisticated version of Thai-above-a-pub and a welcome bargain in this posh part of town.

You share big tables but the rice and noodle-based assemblies such as nasi goreng and clam glass noodle salad are designed for brief encounters. Even so, chilli king prawns was so good we ordered it twice.

Khew, 43 South Molton Street, W1 (020 7408 2236) £40. The area was crying out for a good restaurant and figure-conscious shoppers are ideal bait for the crustacea, sashimi and ceviche at the Raw Bar on the ground floor. Downstairs in a cramped, awkward dining room, key flavourings such as soy, ginger, chilli, garlic and sugar can hit strident, clashing notes.

Zimzun, Fulham Broadway Retail Centre, Fulham Road, SW6 (020 7385 4555) £22. Wagamama set the style of food and service, and head chef Phuong Nguyen has worked in that group, but the difference here is salubrious decor with candles, flowers and an attractive bar to corrupt the worthiness of one-course meals of stir-fries, curries, noodles and rice dishes. It's a touch of glam for not a big outlay.

Cafe de Maya, 38 Primrose Hill Road, NW3 (020 7209 0672) £20. This engaging restaurant is decorated in the style of the sort of flatshare that property prices in the area have otherwise put paid to. A long Thai and Malaysian menu is freshly cooked and there is the encouraging presence of daily specials lifting the food above formulaic. Staff are sweet and helpful.

Note: prices above estimate the cost of a meal with wine for one.