Intimidated by Dim Sum in Hong Kong? Don't be - we've got answers.

When you're traveling in Asia it can be very tempting to head toward recognizable brands so you don't have to face language issues and possible embarrassment when you order. You know the Starbucks servers in Shanghai will speak English enough to understand you need a triple-Venti-caramel-no-foam-whipped-cream-decaf-latte and you know you'll be able to point to the pictures in the McDonald's in Beijing. Failing that, you think, well Spaghetti Bolognese is rather internationally understood, so I'll eat Italian tonight. I know what I'll get.

But to skip eating locally while traveling in China is to skip part of the culture. In China, food IS culture. Eating is a big part of daily life - it's important and people enjoy it. It's like not going to the Louvre in Paris, skipping the Dome in Florence, not going to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Are you in China? Then you must eat Chinese food.

All that in mind, I never said it is always easy. And I, for one, have on more than one occasion ordered fried rice because I knew what it was, even though there were some mighty mouth-watering dishes on my neighbors' tables.

Dim Sum is one of those things that folks are universally familiar with but might be intimidated to try. On a recent trip to Hong Kong with my husband's family, eating Dim Sum was high on their to-do list and after a great meal, I thought about them trying to do it on their own without us Old China Hands along to help. So to ease the intrepid Dim Sum seeker's mind, I've written a how-to on eating Dim Sum. Rory Boland, our Guide to Hong Kong and Macau has also broken it down. Armed with our info, you'll be sure to enjoy your authentic Dim Sum experience.