Xing Fu, which takes its name from 'happiness' in Mandarin, is a charming little Chinese restaurant in Meads, Eastbourne. The restaurant is well-suited to all styles of dining, from snacking with drinks to group feasts and everything in between. The interiors are stylish but pared-back, allowing for relaxed dining, while the friendly staff create a lovely welcoming atmosphere.
Beer drinkers are well-served here, with Chinese, Singaporean and Japanese bottles available (Tsing Tao, Tiger and Asahi respectively). The wine list, meanwhile, is rather larger. Groups looking to celebrate can splash out on Bolinger, Testulat Rose, Drappier Carte d'Or Brut or opt for a more affordable Prosecco. Non-sparkling options are helpfully organised by flavour profile (rich, dark, fruity etc.), allowing diners to easily choose the right glass or bottle to pair with their food.
The tasting platters here are a great choice for newcomers, showcasing some highlights from the menu with plenty of variety. The 'taste of Hong Kong' dim sum platter, for example, features steamed prawn har kau, pork siu mai, shrimp wontons in chilli oil and wok-grilled pork and cabbage dumplings, followed by sweet and sour chicken, beef with chilli and black bean sauce, crispy noodles with mixed seasonal greens and egg fried rice.
For those who can handle their spice, the 'taste of Szechuan' is the perfect option, featuring prawn, beef, lamb, chicken and vegetable skewers with a spicy Szechuan cumin sauce, followed by Kong Po chilli chicken, stir-fried pork belly, beans with dry chilli, Singapore vermicelli and egg fried rice. The a la carte selection, meanwhile, features all of the dishes from the tasting platters and many, many more.
The dessert selection, meanwhile, is distinctly more Western, featuring the likes of sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownie with Belgian chocolate ice cream and even a Bramley apple and cinnamon crumble.