Must eat in Chengdu. 15+ famous & best food in Chengdu

What to eat when traveling to Chengdu? From spicy to sweet dishes, the Chengdu delicacies in the article below will make you fall in love. Find out now with must eat in Chengdu with 15+ famous food in Chengdu, Chengdu best food and best food in Chengdu!

Chengdu, the Sichuan culinary paradise is famous on the world culinary map with rich, spicy and colorful dishes. This is a place where rich culinary culture converges, harmoniously combining sour – spicy – salty – sweet flavors in each dish, surely making any food lover fall in love.

Not only that, Chengdu’s delicious dishes also stand out for their unique creativity from ingredients and preparation methods. From spicy Mapo tofu that “numbs the tongue”, boiling spicy Sichuan hot pot, to soft Long Chao Shou wontons, each dish has its own charm, encapsulating the essence of Sichuan cuisine.

Let’s explore the delicious and attractive Chengdu specialties below with Klook, to make your trip more complete!

Chengdu-Style Kung Pao Chicken – A Traditional Dish of Sichuan Cuisine (#Must eat in Chengdu)

Kung Pao Chicken is said to be named after the Qing Dynasty governor of Sichuan Province – Ding Baozhen, and since then, the dish has become an indispensable part of Chengdu – Sichuan culinary culture. The highlight of Kung Pao Chicken is the perfect combination of the spicy taste of chili and the mild sweetness of the special sauce. Each piece of golden chicken is cut into even cubes, combined with crispy peanuts, Sichuan pepper corn and dried chili, creating a harmonious flavor of spicy, sweet and a little sour.

Chengdu people often eat this dish with white rice and stir-fried vegetables to reduce the spiciness and add a fuller flavor to the meal. To enjoy the original Kung Pao Chicken, you can visit Ming Ting or Chen Mapo Tofu restaurants in the center of Chengdu. The price per serving ranges from 50-80 yuan.

Chengdu-Style Grilled Bo Bo Ji Chicken with Spicy Sauce

Bobo chicken, also known as “Bō bō jī”, is definitely on the list of street foods you must try when visiting Chengdu. Each piece of boneless chicken is carefully marinated, stuck on a stick and dipped in a hot clay pot with a rich spicy sauce. The name “Bobo” is inspired by the shape of the traditional clay pot, and this interesting way of eating has been passed down for centuries.

Bobo chicken offers a unique taste experience with crispy chicken skin mixed with the spicy flavor of chili oil. The secret of the dish lies in the rattan pepper oil, which brings an alluring aroma. Diners can also choose their own ingredients and adjust the seasoning to their personal preferences. When in Chengdu, visit Long Chao Shou or Zhang Mama restaurant to try Bobo chicken for about 60-100 yuan.

Chengdu’s Richly Flavored Twice-Cooked Pork

In Sichuan cuisine, twice-cooked pork (Hui Guo Rou) is a symbol of richness and richness. Despite thousands of years, this dish still retains its classic recipe and distinctive flavor.

Chefs often choose the leg or belly of the pig, boil it briefly, then stir-fry it with cabbage, bell peppers, leeks, and mushrooms. The typical seasoning includes rice wine sauce and soy sauce, creating an unforgettable, fragrant sauce. The dish is often served with dumplings or white rice, and fresh green onions help balance the fatty taste of the meat.

A favorite Hui Guo Rou restaurant for diners is Ming Ting Restaurant. For around 70-120 yuan, you will be immersed in the cozy atmosphere of a local restaurant.

Dan Dan Minced Pork Noodles with Spicy Chili Oil in Chengdu

Dan Dan Noodles – a signature dish of Chengdu is truly an interesting taste journey. Legend has it that the name “Dan Dan” comes from the way noodle vendors used to carry their goods on their shoulders along the streets. This noodle dish has existed for hundreds of years and has become a culinary symbol of Sichuan province.

Dan Dan noodles are made from rich minced pork, with a spicy sauce made from chili oil, Sichuan pepper and pickled vegetables. Mix the noodles well with the sauce, making sure all the noodles are soaked in the spices before tasting. A standard Chengdu noodle bowl will often have crunchy peanuts and chopped green onions, bringing a balance between the layers of flavor. A little tip for you is that Xiao Ming Tang Dan Dan Tian Shui Mian on Jiangjun Street sells authentic Sichuan Dan Dan noodles, priced from 15-30 RMB per portion.

Long Chao Shou Wontons in Chengdu (#best food in chengdu)

Long Chao Shou is one of Chengdu’s famous specialties, with smooth white wontons and spicy red chili soup. “Chao Shou” is a local word for wonton in Sichuan, a dish that originated in 1941 and is often served during holidays and festivals.

Long Chao Shou Wontons are famous for their thin, chewy wonton skin, sweet and fragrant meat filling, and the characteristic spicy taste of chili oil. In particular, this dish is cooked in a broth made from pork and chicken, creating a fragrant soup that will warm your stomach on a cold winter day. If you have the opportunity to visit Chengdu, don’t forget to visit Long Chao Shou on Wenshuyuan Street to experience traditional wontons.

Zhong Spicy Dumplings with Traditional Chengdu Flavor

Zhong Spicy Dumplings, also known as “Zhong Shui Jiao”, were invented by a street vendor on Chengdu Street more than 100 years ago. Today, this dish has been recognized as a “long-standing Chinese specialty” and has become a famous snack all over the world. Zhong Dumplings have no soup and the filling is made entirely from pork, not mixed with vegetables like other dumplings.

As soon as you take the first bite, you will feel the harmony between the soft, thin crust and the sweet, fragrant meat filling, along with the sweet and spicy sauce. In particular, the dumplings are folded into a crescent shape to absorb the sauce evenly, ensuring that visitors will have an explosion of taste buds with each dumpling. In addition to the restaurant brand of the same name, you can also try Zhong Dumplings at Zhong Dumpling House, with a reference price of 10-20 RMB for a small portion.

Sichuan Tofu Pudding – A Refreshing Snack in Chengdu

Sichuan Tofu Pudding (豆花 dòuhuā) is elaborately prepared from soy milk combined with a little bean salt or gypsum, looking like a smooth pudding. Unlike many places that favor sweetness, after being cooked, Chengdu’s tofu pudding is mixed with vinegar, soy sauce, and a little spicy chili – creating a stimulating sour and spicy taste.

This is not only a refreshing snack but also a part of the local culinary culture. Each bowl of Sichuan tofu pudding is often dotted with crispy fried peanuts and chopped chives. When eating, you will feel the coolness of the melted bean jelly with the characteristic rich spices.

In Chengdu, the most famous place to enjoy flower beans is Xiao Tan Dou Hua restaurant. The price of a portion here is usually around 5-7 CNY, an attractive price for a popular yet interesting culinary experience in the hot summer.

Bei Gang Tsai Rice Tube – A Unique Chengdu Delicacy

Bei Gang Tsai Rice Tube Pudding – just hearing the name sounds appealing, right? This is a famous street food in Chengdu, made from smooth glutinous rice flour and has a sweet taste. The process of making Bei Gang Tsai Rice Tube brings an interesting visual and auditory experience. People divide the glutinous rice flour into three round balls, throw them on a copper plate to make a “bang, bang, bang” sound like firecrackers, then roll them in yellow bean powder and sprinkle with sweet black molasses.

A tip: you should sip this dish with “Lao Yin” tea to fully experience the refreshing taste. Tam Thien Phao rice cakes are sold all year round on ancient streets such as Kuan Zhai, Wenshu Fang, or Jinli, with prices starting at only 10 Yuan per portion.

Maocai One-Person Hotpot in Chengdu

If you are traveling independently but still want to try Sichuan hotpot, Maocai – a one-person hotpot version – is the perfect choice. With this mini hotpot, visitors can choose their own ingredients from vegetables, meat, seafood, mushrooms, and then the chef will cook them before marinating them and mixing them into the spicy mala broth.

The highlight of Maocai hotpot is its convenience and variety. This dish retains the characteristic spicy flavor of Sichuan cuisine, but is suitable for those who want to enjoy hotpot privately. Chengdu people often add spices such as green onions, coriander, and fermented beans to enhance the rich and attractive flavor of the dish. Why not try Maocai at the hotpot restaurant “Bashu Dazhaimen” or some small eateries around the People’s Park (Renmin Park) in the center of Chengdu. The price of a portion of Maocai ranges from 15-20 yuan.

Sichuan Hot Pot – The Essence of Chengdu Cuisine

Immersed in the characteristic hot and numbing flavor of Sichuan hot pot, food lovers will definitely not be able to miss this dish when coming to Chengdu. This hot pot not only attracts tourists by its “tongue-tearing” spiciness but also by the image of the dark red broth, combined with spices such as Sichuan pepper, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, and spicy beans.

Different from Chongqing hot pot, Sichuan hot pot allows diners to choose ingredients from meat, seafood, organs to vegetables, mushrooms, bringing a rich and surprising culinary experience. Hot pot is also an opportunity to gather and reunite with family and friends in a warm and friendly atmosphere. When coming to Chengdu, visit top hot pot restaurants such as Shu Jiu Xiang or Lao Ma Tou Hot Pot, with an average price of 80-150 yuan/person, depending on the side dishes and the type of broth you choose.

Fish-Flavored Braised Eggplant – An Irresistible Chengdu Specialty

The name of fish-flavored eggplant (Yuxiang Qiezi) sounds strange, but it is actually a famous vegetarian dish with a rich flavor of traditional Sichuan fish sauce. Although there is no fish at all, the dish still has a characteristic “fish flavor” thanks to the sauce made from fermented spicy beans, pickled chili, garlic, ginger, and sugar.

The dark sauce, mixed with the soft, naturally sweet eggplant, will definitely make diners unforgettable. In addition, this fish-flavored sauce is also commonly used to prepare meat and vegetable dishes, served with hot rice to increase harmony. Diners can easily find Yuxiang Qiezi at small restaurants in Chengdu, for only about 20-40 yuan/portion.

Chengdu-Style Spicy Ma Po Tofu

It would be a mistake to mention Chengdu cuisine without mentioning Mapo Tofu. Created by a chef in the 19th century, this dish has become famous all over the world for its spicy and numbing taste of Sichuan pepper.

Mapo Tofu is usually served in a clay pot to retain heat for a long time, and eaten with white rice to balance the spiciness. Each piece of tofu is soft and smooth, soaked in the spicy flavor of red chili sauce, minced meat, fermented black beans, creating a characteristic “numb and spicy” feeling – both eye-catching and stimulating the taste buds of all diners. We recommend a long-standing restaurant with delicious Mapo Tofu, Chen Mapo Tofu. The price here is about 20-50 yuan, depending on the portion. Don’t forget to stop by and try it!

Fuqi Feipian – Chengdu Street Food

Fuqi Feipian – a spicy appetizer that captivates many tourists, originated in the 1930s and is named after the romantic love story of the famous couple Guo Chaohua and Zhang Tianzheng.

The dish consists of thinly sliced ​​beef and offal such as intestines, heart, stomach, all mixed with spicy chili oil sauce and the tingling sensation of Sichuan pepper. The spicy, sour and numbing taste along with the fragrant smell of green onions and coriander, brings a new flavor, stimulating the taste buds from the first bite.

Initially, this dish was popularly sold by sidewalk stalls due to its simple ingredients and easy preparation. Up to now, Fuqi Feipian has gradually become a specialty dish in many famous restaurants such as Chen Mapo Tofu, with a price of about 25-35 CNY/portion.

Delicious Chengdu-Style Guokui Meat Pie

With a flat, round shape resembling an iron helmet, Guokui was once a famine relief dish for soldiers during the Three Kingdoms period, and today has become a typical Sichuan street food. Unlike other types of Guokui in other regions, Chengdu Guokui has a variety of meat fillings such as pork, beef, and sometimes brown sugar filling for those with a sweet tooth.

Guokui is usually baked in a clay oven or deep-fried until the outer layer is golden brown, biting into it feels crispy and then touching the soft, juicy meat filling inside, spreading an attractive aroma. Some places also add chili powder and black pepper to the cake, highlighting the spicy flavor typical of Sichuan. With a price of only 10-20 yuan per piece, this is a delicious and easy-to-carry snack, suitable for tourists to enjoy right on the crowded streets of Chengdu.

Chengdu-Style Spicy Sweet Potato Noodles

Suan La Fen – Chengdu’s famous spicy sweet potato noodles, will surely make you fall in love with it from the first try. This dish has a rich, spicy and sour broth and soft noodles made from sweet potato starch, creating a unique chewy texture. Suan La Fen’s broth has the characteristic spicy taste of Sichuan pepper, combined with a strong aroma, will surely make you awake from the first sip of the soup.

A bowl of Suan La Fen noodles is often served with toppings such as roasted peanuts, green onions, and can be added with pork or pork offal, creating a nutritious dish. In particular, this noodle dish is very popular in the summer thanks to its ability to stimulate sweating, effectively dispelling the heat, according to traditional Chinese medicine. If you want to enjoy authentic Suan La Fen, visit Yulin Chuanchuan Xiang restaurant, with an average price of about 15-25 yuan.

Chengdu cuisine is a wonderful blend of spicy flavors and diverse local ingredients. From the famous Sichuan hotpot to the light Sichuan tofu pudding, each dish has its own style, appealing to anyone who loves Chinese cuisine.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Chengdu you can refer to

• Dujiangyan Panda Base and Mount Qingcheng Tour from Chengdu
• Chengdu Gourmet Night Group Tour
• Chasing Dawa for 3 days and 2 nights (free Tibetan travel photography + Gedi Ram +
• Dawa Gengza + Shenmu Lei)
• Chengdu Radio and TV Tower Admission Ticket
• Essence of Chengdu City Private Day Tour
• Chengdu Downtown Private Car Charter
• Chengdu Panda Base Private Day Tour and Sichuan Cooking Class
• Dujiangyan Admission Ticket Chengdu
• Chengdu Food Day Tour with Chengdu Giant Panda Base Ticket
• Dufu’s Thatched Cottage Ticket Chengdu
• Classic Chengdu One Day City Tour
• Giant Buddha and Tea Terrace Town Day Tour from Chengdu
• Chengdu Private Day Tour (With Visit to Chengdu Panda Base and Hotpot Experience)

Read more top places to visit in Chengdu here. Read more China guide here.