Must-Try Foods In Chengdu (China) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Chengdu, China

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is famous for its rich and fiery culinary tradition. This city in southwestern China has a culinary history that dates back to the Qin and Han dynasties, becoming more pronounced during the Three Kingdoms period. Sichuan cuisine, one of the Eight Great Cuisines of China, is known for its bold flavors, particularly the numbing sensation of the Sichuan peppercorn and the heat from chili peppers. Chengdu was designated a city of gastronomy by UNESCO in 2011, acknowledging its sophisticated dining tradition and vibrant street food scene.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Chengdu

1. Mapo Tofu - Non-Veg: This classic dish consists of tofu set in a spicy sauce, typically a thin, oily, and bright red suspension, with minced beef or pork, fermented black beans, and Sichuan peppercorns.
2. Sichuan Hotpot - Veg/Non-Veg Options Available: Hotpot is a communal dish where diners cook their chosen ingredients in a shared pot of spicy broth. The broth can be solely vegetarian or have meat-based options as well.
3. Kung Pao Chicken - Non-Veg: Known locally as Gong Bao Ji Ding, this stir-fried dish is made with chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers.
4. Dan Dan Noodles - Non-Veg: A staple Sichuan street food consisting of a spicy sauce containing preserved vegetables, chili oil, Sichuan pepper, minced pork, and scallions served over noodles.
5. Yibin Burning Noodles - Non-Veg: A non-soup noodle dish mixed with spicy minced pork and various seasonings like soy sauce, sugar, and garlic.
6. Guo Kui - Veg/Non-Veg Options Available: A traditional Sichuan snack, Guo Kui is a type of stuffed flatbread that can have various fillings, including Sichuanese veggies and meats.
7. Chuan Chuan Xiang - Veg/Non-Veg Options Available: Skewered vegetables and meats that are dipped into a spicy hot pot broth and eaten once cooked.
8. Long Chao Shou - Non-Veg: This dish includes wontons served in a flavorful chicken or bone broth, finished with a sprinkle of spring onions and sesame oil.
9. Sweet Water Noodles - Veg: A popular Chengdu snack, this dish features wheat noodles topped with a sticky sauce made from sugar, vinegar, and roasted sesame seeds.
10. Zhong Dumplings - Non-Veg: Dumplings bathed in a sauce made from chili oil, garlic, Sichuan pepper, and soy sauce, often filled with pork.

Top Famous Restaurants in Chengdu

• Yu's Family Kitchen
  Address: Inside Jiuyanqiao, No. 43, Zhai Xiang Zi, Xia Tong Ren Road, Chengdu
  Famous Dish: Ginkgo Stewed with Peas - Veg
• Dragon Palace Restaurant
  Address: 5th Floor, Jinjiang Hotel, 80 Second Section of Renmin South Road, Chengdu
  Famous Dish: Spicy Sichuan Chicken - Non-Veg
• Hong Yun Lai Hotpot
  Address: Multiple locations across Chengdu
  Famous Dish: Sichuan Broth Hotpot - Veg/Non-Veg Options Available
• Vegetarian Lifestyle
  Address: 27 Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu
  Famous Dish: Pumpkin with Green Pepper Sauce - Veg
• Lao Ma Tou Hotpot
  Address: 27-31 Yulin West Road, Chengdu
  Famous Dish: Beef Tallow Hotpot (Only options with non-cow meat) - Non-Veg
Chen Mapo Tofu
Address: 197 Xi Yulong Street, Chengdu
Famous Dish: Mapo Tofu - Non-Veg
• Five Grains Mill Congee
  Address: 40-5 Kehua North Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu
  Famous Dish: Eight Treasures Congee - Veg
• Long Chao Shou
  Address: Chunxi Road, Chengdu
  Famous Dish: Long Chao Shou (Wontons) - Non-Veg
• Tan Yu Tou Hotpot Restaurant
  Address: 9 Binjiang East Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
  Famous Dish: Mandarin Duck Pot - Veg/Non-Veg Options Available
• Liao Ji Bang Bang Chicken
  Address: Multiple locations
  Famous Dish: Bang Bang Chicken - Non-Veg