The craving for Chinese food is thankfully not one that escapes the inhabitants of Cambridge. Both Charlie Chan’s and Yippee Noodle are prime destinations to sate this universal urge. The owners of Yippee really hit the nail on the head when they named their restaurant; there is a ring of the exclamatory euphoria that often accompanies the experience of enjoying oriental cuisine: noodle-eating becomes a cause for celebration and grown men are reduced to a juvenile state in their happiness.

The food served at Yippee is best described as pan-Asian, encompassing food from China, Japan and other Asian countries. The décor is reminiscent of Wagamama: substitute the sleek sterility of the latter for the slight grubbiness of the former and the result is a pseudo-authentic fast-food restaurant in China. The menu excels in its variations of rice and noodle dishes. I opted for the noodles with coriander, veg, shrimps and chicken. The friend who I dined with (who will hereon be referred to as Baby G, her self-inflicted pseudonym) ordered the same. Baby G took advantage of the numerous Asian beers to choose from and ordered the Japanese beer Asahi, owing to a fixation with Japan. Though I was enjoying the hearty medley of meat and vegetables with my noodles, I must admit that I was slightly unsettled by the experience of wiping my mouth to leave a residue of fluorescent yellow on my serviette. Baby G was also having a similar experience. This was adequately boz but, like a trooper, I resolved to plough on anyway, hardly pausing to ruminate since the meal itself was a somewhat rushed affair (Baby G had orchestra rehearsal).

The culinary indulgence afforded by Charlie Chan’s, however, is better enjoyed at a sustained leisurely pace. One would be in their right to state it a bozality-free zone. There are no neon yellow residue experiences to be had here. One can purchase an ample portion of sweet and sour chicken with a generous accompaniment of freshly boiled rice, all for a mere £6. Hardcore bargain. Price-wise, it is a rival for Yippee where meals tend to go over the £10 benchmark. Groups of at least six should be a prerequisite for an outing to Chazza since the food here is best enjoyed at one of the large round tables, where hoards of dishes piled onto the Lazy Susan to be shared among many effectively creates a banquet. The atmosphere is noticeably better on weekends when locals fill the tables. Chaz does a seriously bitchin’ sesame prawn toast and the banana fritters, served in a caramelised sesame seed coating are nothing less than delectable.

If you can get over the use of bizarrely coloured additives and want a quick fix of oriental food then Yippee Noodles will happily suffice. Baby G recommends the extra long prawn crackers. Prices are expensive but not brutal and you can eat well for under £15. If, however, you want your dose of monosodium glutamate dressed in formal attire, then main man Charlie Chan delivers the goods.