PHOENIX CLAWS or CHICKEN FEET

There are several litmus tests for the unwary foreigner eager to try local cuisine. The more obvious hurdles are stinky tofu and the notorious century eggs, both of which are definitely acquired tastes.

But the true test comes with the off-cuts or ordinary animals like pigs, cows ... and chickens.

The Chinese cook wastes nothing from beak or snout to tail and feet, and everything inside the animal as well.