Pressure affects people in different ways. Soldiers become “shell-shocked.” Politicians “crack.” 

Restaurateurs, on the other hand, forget the failsafe formula of good food, value and service, and start to think that novelty place mats are a neat idea.

In a city with 40,000 restaurants fighting for customers, it’s no wonder these Beijing eateries are acting a little odd.

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Asia is known not just for its diverse cultures and traditions, but also a galore of exotic food that often surprises and astonishes, sometimes not to a positive effect. Now to list all the unusual food found in this colorful region would be simply impossible, they are just too many. So instead, we are starting out here with a list of just ten unusual delicacies from all over the region.

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After learning some lessons from its debut, Shanghai Restaurant Week is back and taking reservations, starting today.

Already one of the biggest culinary events around the world, Restaurant Week is back in Shanghai — sponsored by DiningCity.com — to tempt local gourmands into some of the city’s high-end restaurants from September 6-12. Venues start taking reservations today.

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No trip is complete without trying out some of the best local food at your choice of destination. When you come to Asia there are plenty to choose, ranging from Hong Kong street food, to Szechuan’s spicy servings. One of the must-try food is none other than dim sum, a traditional culinary art originated from Southern China that has captured the palates of many, especially in countries with strong Chinese influences such as China (duh), Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many others around the region.

Dim Sum

(literally meaning, “touch the heart”) is the name for a selection of Chinese cuisine which involves a wide range of light dishes. They are usually served before noon, along with tea (also known as yum cha), but is now such a big part of the culinary scene in Asia that you can find restaurants serving them all day through. Dim sum are usually steamed, baked or fried, and come served in traditional bamboo containers. Here’s a quick guide through some of the more popular dim sum dishes.

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