Hunan Cooking with Chili Topped Fish Head in Manhattan

China Xiang makes room for familiar Chinese classics and less common Hunan specialties on the same menu. Its signature chili topped fish head arrives in a huge ceramic basin, bringing a regional specialty straight to the center of the table. Start there when you want to explore the kitchen beyond the usual dishes.

Freshly made rice noodles bring a chewy texture, while the dry pot delivers pronounced heat even at the normal spice level. Stir fried pork gets its char from the wok. Duck tongue also appears on the menu, giving adventurous eaters another direction to take their order.

This simple eatery has been serving Manhattan for four decades, and the kitchen can customize preparations to suit your individual preferences when you order. Find it at 360 West 42nd Street, open every day from half past eleven AM to half past ten PM.