Dish #9: 伤心凉粉 shangxin liangfen ("heartbreak cold noodles")

Know what it feels like to have your heart broken? Tears stinging the eyes, the numbness, and so much pain it’s like you can’t breathe? Whoever named this dish obviously had a few rocky romances.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but not all of us are lucky enough to have a lover, wife, "special friend" to share meals with. Need a table for one? Don’t wither under the smirks. Hold your (sniveling) head high and tuck in at one of these singles-friendly establishments.

This month, Purple Haze founder Tobi Demker celebrates five years at his original Gongti branch plus the (re)opening of Purple Haze Bistro in a new hutong pad. We locked spoons over a bowl of tom yum soup to find out more.

You’ve still got until Wednesday Feb 3rd to help the people of Haiti by eating a delicious restaurant meal. Yes I know, sounds tough, right? Here’s what to do. Go along to any of the 18 participating restaurants listed below. Buy one or more RMB 200 vouchers when you get there. Use them to pay your bill. 50% of the proceeds will go directly to the HAITI RISE Relief Campaign.

The original La Pizza in Solana was sold on the authenticity of Chef Giuseppe, a Neapolitan of timeless stereotypical appeal – traditional toque hat, thick black moustache and a belly like a Chinese province.

It’s easy to miss this restaurant at Houhai’s busy Jinding Bridge, because unlike its neighbors, it’s not topped with flashing neon beer signs.

The practice of eating dog and cat meat could be banned as soon as April as part of a draft bill to tackle animal abuse in China. People caught illegally selling or consuming pets could face up to 15 days in prison or a hefty fine.

Got something to say about Beijing’s best bakery? Need to holler about that horrible hot pot on the weekend? Need to gush about that gorgeous Guizhou? Now’s your chance! After a short hiatus over the holiday season the Food Fight is back.

Beijing’s most famous culinary absentee, three Michelin starred chef Daniel Boulud, is gracing our humble town this Saturday to cook a decadent eight course feast. It’s a genuinely one-off opportunity to taste what arguably New York’s most famous chef has to offer, and a place can be yours for (you may want to steady yourself on a nearby piece of furniture)… RMB 2800.

New Year’s resolutions be damned. You’re bound to slip up eventually, so tumble off the diet wagon in style by treating yourself to one of these all-American towers of power.