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This is a really interesting article that demonstrates the technique and skills behind noodle-making. I think you do not normally think of noodle-making as an art form, but the people this article's author interviewed dedicated their lives to making noodles. It is a craft that they spent years mastering and they are very proud of it. The main noodle dish that is featured in this article is the famous Lanzhou beef noodle soup, which many swear is the best in all of China. It is made with hand-pulled noodles, lamian, which has origins along the Silk Road. It is a spicy dish that is usually eaten for breakfast. There are other varieties of lamian, including one served in a tomato sauce that is as closed to spaghetti as you can get in Chinese cuisine. Many of the recipes also contain lots of spices that are reminiscent of Mediterranean cuisine. There are several methods to making hand-pulled noodles that employed twisting and pulling with the hands. Chefs practice extensively to perfect their fare.

Dim sum is a Cantonese style of cuisine that consists of snacks and appetizers served with tea, typically around morning and brunch time. Dim sum is historically linked to the custom of yum cha, which means tea drinking. The practice of drinking tea has been documented in China for centuries. In ancient times, teahouses sprung up along the Silk Road to provide a place for weary travelers to eat and rest. Farmers would also gather at teahouses after a long day of work for refreshments and conversation. However, it was a long time before tea drinking was combined with eating food. Since the Guangdong/Hong Kong region dim sum is tied to has British influence, dim sum is also connected to English high tea. These days, dim sum is served not just all over China, but all over the world. Some common food items are various kinds of dumplings, buns, pastries, and small plates of meat and seafood. I think dim sum is a very unique and diverse style of cuisine and it is very interesting to read and learn about.