"You should be able to balance the disparate flavors and textures," Ji says.

"It's all about balance. The kernel of traditional Chinese medicine lies in achieving a balance, as do the dishes in both Western and Chinese cuisines."

Ji went to Maastricht University in the Netherlands in 1999 to pursue his double master's degrees in International Economics and Actuarial Studies.

The two majors, one about macroeconomics, and the other microeconomics, gave him a solid grounding for his later role of being a restaurateur drawing on macro and micro aspects to run a successful business.

If you go:

Cindy's Umami By Han

Daily, 10am-11pm First floor, building 6, Xinyuan Xili, Chaoyang district

010-6464-5150