EVER since it first opened its doors 20 years ago next month, Top Wok has built up a reputation as one of the finest Oriental takeaways in the area.

The first Top Wok kitchen opened in Christchurch in 1994 and went on to open four more, but Top Wok Parkstone is the only location under original ownership.

If you’re looking for a good quality Chinese takeaway, you really can’t go wrong here.

All the usual favourites are included as well as specials such as my favourite special curry, which I had last week.

This is an exotic blend made to their own secret recipe.

On this occasion though, it was a Monday night and we just wanted a quick meal for two.

Once we’d placed our order we were given some prawn crackers to nibble on while we waited for our food to be ready, which didn’t take too long at all.

The Kung Po Chilli Chicken was a generous portion of crispy coated chicken pieces with crunchy water chestnuts in a tangy sweet spicy garlic sauce.

The egg fried rice was light and fluffy and the sweet and sour pork contained large chunks of crispy coated pork fillet was sticky, sweet with chunks of juicy pineapple, onions and green peppers.

This place is always consistently good.

The food tastes fresh, portions are generous and service is slick, efficient and friendly.

When the staff overheard that we were planning an impromptu picnic rather than going home with our food, they even provided us with plastic plates and cutlery, which I thought was a nice touch.

There are plans in the pipeline for some special events next month to mark the 20th anniversary so watch this space.