Ultimate meal with a view?
Konyali restaurant in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, gazing over the Bosphorus.

The local I couldn’t live without is…
St. John Bread and Wine in London for its consistently excellent food – I’ve even managed to impress Chinese friends with English food there, which takes some doing! (They tend to find ‘Western’ food too heavy and bland.) St. John’s salads, which typically consist of meat or offal tossed with watercress, chicory, red onion, capers and a mustard vinaigrette, are fabulous, and their roast Middle White faggot (a traditional British dish made with pork and offal) is sublime.

Where do you satisfy sweet cravings?
Quo Vadis in London. Chef Jeremy Lee is a master of puddings and cakes. For something to take away, I can’t resist chocolates from Artisan du Chocolat in London, especially the salted caramels.

Best place for fresh produce?
A farmers’ market, every time. In Sichuan, any neighbourhood market; in Hong Kong, the Wanchai wet market. In London, I buy fresh vegetables at my locals: Broadway market, Ridley Road Market or Islington Farmers’ Market.

My pick for seafood is…
Shen Yen in Yilan County, Taiwan – a teppanyaki restaurant run by a marvellous chef, Chen Chih-yung, who ferments his own soy sauce and sources his ingredients locally. It’s a popular lunch destination for people living in Taipei, and well worth the 90-minute drive.

What’s your go-to spot for Chinese ingredients in Australia?
Paddy’s Market in Sydney has a wonderful selection of fresh Chinese vegetables.

Your destination for small bites?
The Lei Garden in Wanchai, Hong Kong, for a dim sum lunch. I never tire of dim sum, and this place is one of my favourites.

Top choice for a tipple?
Glamour Bar at M on the Bund in Shanghai makes me nostalgic for all my visits to China over the years. The evening views over Pudong district are spectacular. I’ll have a glass of Champagne, please.