It's not every day you have the opportunity to taste pig's blood popsicles, fried stinky tofu with pickles or "Opium on Tap" cocktails, which is why the Asian-themed food festival Luckyrice exists.

"I think it's only recently that Americans have been interested in cuisines outside of the 'reigning triumvirate of Asian-Japanese-Thai' cuisines," said Luckyrice founder Danielle Chang. "At Luckyrice, we try to showcase the diversity of Asian cuisine - from Taipei to Tokyo, and including Asian American cuisine to boot."

The festival in New York begins on Monday with a jiaozi dumpling cocktail party hosted by Christina Topsoe and James Murphy, former members of the alternative dance band LCD Soundsystem, and chef Danny Bowien of Mission Chinese Food, who has been credited by New York Magazine with helping develop an "Asian hipster" cuisine trend.

Chang said she's not sure how she would define "Asian hipster" cuisine, but Asian food chefs such as Bowien and David Chang of Momofuku have become "poster boys" for this culinary scene.

"[These chefs have] further elevated the interest in Asian cooking, and the bold flavors that they showcase in their dishes," Chang said. "I'm glad that new audiences are embracing the flavors of Asia."

After the dumpling kick-off, other highlights occurring in different venues throughout the week will include a ramen "slurp fest," a Thai dinner, a Filipino fiesta, a lineup of fermented food favorites and a dimsum Mahjong Bloody Mary brunch that will end the festival on May 5.

The annual Grand Feast will be held on Friday, during which more than 20 master chefs will create classic and inventive Asian cuisine from pomelo papaya salad to eel and foie gras steamed buns.

The annual night market will occur Saturday night when 10 participating eateries will serve a tasting menu of traditional and innovative Asian street -food fare, including Korean bulgogi barbecue beef sliders, cold Chinese rice noodles and steamed coconut candies in thickened coconut cream.

Chang said Luckyrice doesn't have a clear target audience because of the range of events and ticket prices, from $50 to $250. The Taiwan native described attendees as "cultural explorers" and people "interested in experiencing Asian culture through the lens of food and drink."

Luckyrice, which has sold out in New York each year since in 2010, will also visit Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and a new site in San Francisco, and reach an estimated 10,000 guests.

"The five cities are all great food capitals, but also so different from each other," Chang said.

The Luckyrice culinary council helps create the lineup for each festival and consists of a variety of Asian and non-Asian chefs, including Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef fame, Anthony Bourdain of "No Reservations" and "The Layover" Travel Channel shows, and Daniel Boulud of the three Michelin stars rated New York restaurant Daniel.

"I love it when guests are excited by a new flavor combination or when chefs are able to share a dish that is perhaps off the menu and a bit of experimentation for them," Chang said. "I think the popularity of Asian food in America is not a trend, but something that is here to stay."

carolineberg@chinadailyusa.com