We won’t sugar coat it: the 21-page menu at Amphawa is so long it should come with its own SparkNotes guide. Yet quantity does equal quality at this homestyle Richmond spot with a trickling fountain and flowers on every table. From the classic soups and curries to the specials like house beef jerky and deep-fried sausage, flavors are amped up to the max. Exhibit A: the kao kana moo krob, or crispy, salty-sweet pork belly served over Chinese broccoli, and the ultra-tender pork leg stew (kao ka moo) with its star anise aroma we want to turn into an essential oil. We also adore this spot because it’s laidback, easy to walk into, and perfect for catching a game on their TVs over dinner.