Dim sum, which literally means 'to touch the heart,' originated in the tea houses along the Silk Road. Travelers needed a place to rest, leading to the tradition of 'Yum Cha' (drinking tea). Small bite-sized snacks were served alongside the tea to sustain travelers without making them too full to continue their journey. This eventually evolved into the elaborate Cantonese brunch tradition we see today. Dim sum involves a vast array of techniques, including steaming, frying, and baking. Iconic dishes include 'Har Gow' (shrimp dumplings with translucent skins) and 'Siu Mai' (open-faced pork dumplings). A crucial part of the etiquette is 'tea tapping'; if someone pours tea for you, you tap two fingers on the table as a silent way to say 'thank you,' a tradition said to have started with an emperor traveling in disguise.