Chengdu Food
Being the first city in Asia to be called City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2010, Chengdu food is definitely a must-try. The city won such an accolade for having well-developed cuisine, for nurturing community of local chefs, and for showing local know-how of methods of cooking and culinary practices that have survived advancements.
Top Local Dishes
Chengdu’s signature dishes started out as small eats and most are famous for their distinct delicious spiciness. Top local dishes are:
Chengdu Hotpot 成都火锅
Hotpot in Chengdu is something that travelers shouldn’t miss. All throughout Chengdu, one can easily find a nice hotpot shop, as they are literally everywhere. Once you pass right by, you’ll surely find the hot spicy oil so inviting that you cannot help but to go inside and sit down.
Diners start by ordering raw meats and vegetables of their choice. These are sliced very thinly and are later cooked in oil. Chengdu hotpots are known for being extremely spicy but wonderfully delicious. Tourists who have tried this dish before agree that there is simply nothing like it anywhere in the world.
Hotpot is very popular in Chengdu because the place generally damp. Locals believe that the weather is bad for both their bones and blood circulation. They eat spicy food to balance out their body’s temperature.
Ma La Tang 麻辣烫
In English, Ma La Tang translates to Tongue Numbing Soup. If you think that you’ve got the highest tolerance for spicy food, you better try this one. Restaurants serve large bowls containing chili peppers and other spices that float in boiling water over a flame. Diners pick out meat or vegetables and cook them in the pot. They are also served with a bowl containing oyster sauce and diced garlic.
Dan Dan Mian 担担面
This is one of the most famous noodle dishes in Chengdu and this is usually available at almost all restaurants in the area. Dan Dan Mian is the name of the bamboo shoulder pole that vendors used to carry noodles, stoves, and sauces. This dish is a true classic of Sichuan cooking. Just like the first two dishes, the soup of Dan Dan Mian is also deliciously spicy and extremely addictive. Ingredients used are spicy sauces, chili oil, chopped pork, Sichuan peppers, and scallions.
Fuqi Feipian 夫妻肺片
Fuqi Feipian, literally "sliced lung by the married couple” is a popular Sichuan cold dish. It was first invented by a couple over 500 years ago. To satisfy their customers' tastes, the couple made many improvements on the dish, and then offal slices were finally replaced by beef or lamb slices. Though people still call this dish Fuqi Feipian, the lung has been replace by other forms of meat.
Erjie Tuding
Erjie Tuding, literally “diced rabbit meat by the second sister” is a very famous dish from Chengdu. Everyday you can see dozens of people line up in the rush hours waiting to buy this dish. This dish features a special recipe which can not be found elsewhere. Don’t miss it if you go to Chengdu.
Braised Pork Guokui
Guokui is round bread like a pizza which is stuffed with meats. It is about one foot in diameter, one inch thick and weighs about 2.5 kilograms. Guokui it is crisp, can be stored for long time. The traditional Guokui shops sell different varieties of Guokui including Sliced Chicken Guokui, Beef Guokui, Steam Meet Guokui, and Vegetable Guokui. The oxtail soup is delicious also.
Long Chaoshou
"Chao shou" is a unique way Sichuan people refer to wontons. It literally means making wontons in the shape of folded hands. Long Chaoshou features its thin skin, fresh stuffing and strong soup.
Zhong's Dumpling
Zhong's Dumplings are the typical Sichuan dumpling. They are named after the inventor Zhong Shaobai. The main difference between Zhong's Dumplings and others is that the stuffing in Zhong's Dumplings is only pork without any vegetables. It is always dressed with red chili oil, which is slightly sweet, salty and spicy.
Han Baozi
Baozi or steamed bun is probably the most common food in China. They are found throughout China. There are many famous brands of Baozi, and Han Baozi is one of them. Han Baozi is well known for its eighty years’ history and its unique taste. Once you try it you’ll want to keep coming back for more.
Clear Noodles in Chili Sauce
Clear Noodles in Chili Sauce has a history of over 90 years and tastes a little hot, fresh, soft and pleasant. Noodles in this dish are usually made of peas of high quality.
Click for details about various Snack Streets for different specialties.
Recommended Chengdu Restaurants
Below is the list of restaurants offering authentic Chengdu dishes:
Chen Ma Po 陈麻婆
Chen Ma Po is famous for its authentic Mapo Bean Curd, which is one of the most distinctive flavors of Sichuan cuisine. Although this is offered in every restaurant in Chengdu, Chen Ma Po offers the most authentic and delicious one.
The restaurant has been around for more than one hundred years and it is highly recommended by both local and international gourmand. It offers Chengdu’s authentic dishes.
Kuaile Laojia 快乐老家
This restaurant is known by locals for serving exceptional spicy hot pot and for offering diners with warm, welcoming dining room.
Chuanchuan Xiang 串串香
This is another Chengdu restaurant that offers authentic hot pot and local cuisines. Serving help-yourself style meal, the restaurant charges less compared to other restaurants in the area.
Local Food Streets
Chengdu is the snacking capital of China. Explore vibrant neighborhood on food and try the noodles, fried snacks, dumplings, and even exotic food being sold by vendors.
Chengdu Jinli
This is an old style, folk leisure street in Chengdu. It’s a must-see for people who would like to sample as many Chengdu snacks as possible. It is even more inviting at night when the red lights are on. Aside from famous Sichuan snacks, tourists can also buy local wines and sugar cane drinks.
Kuanzhai Alley
This used to be a pedestrian area that was converted into Qing Dynasty hutong-type neighborhood. There, one can enjoy a nice stroll, shopping, and snacking. The three alleys; Kuan, Zhai, and Jing, are narrow and packed full of shops. Kuanzhai Alley features upscale boutiques and great cafés. At night, there are few street performers and several kiosks selling different items.
Several restaurants here serve authentic Sichuan snack and dishes which include roaster rabbit heads, Dan Dan Mian, etc.
Yi Pin Tian Xia
This is the official venue of the 2005 International Foods and Tour Festival in China. When translated to English, Yi Pin Tian Xia means “food heaven on Earth.” In here, tourists will find several restaurants serving authentic Chinese food. Some of the local brand name restaurants to try here are Wen Xing Resturant, Su Daje Sichuan Hot Pot, Hong Xing Restaurant, and many more.
