Chengdu Food

The predominant ingredient in the food here is CHILI! And, if you thought you could handle a Vindaloo curry, then try some of Chengdu's spiciest food, laced with chili from top to bottom. Locals argue that chili is beneficial both in summer to help cool you down, and in winter, as a warmer. According to Chinese legend chili also has medicinal properties and helps protect against illnesses which result from wet or damp conditions.

For those unaccustomed to spicy food, Sichuan dishes can be hard to handle. Chili used correctly however, is not supposed to be overbearing, but to bring out the flavors of a dish. Once you get used to the spice, it becomes easier to enjoy Sichuan food. The most famous dishes from the region include Spicy chicken with peanut(Gong bao ji ding), and spiced tofu with chili(Ma po dou fu). Many dishes here are served in a fish flavored (Yu xiang) sauce which is made from vinegar, ginger, sesame and soy. Hotpot is also very popular here, and there are numerous restaurants and stalls serving up spicy pots to passers-by. There are over 10 varieties of Chengdu hotpot including hotpot with boiled mutton, and hot pot with beer duck and all are pretty spicy so beware! The best places to sample typical Sichuan cusine in Chengdu are the Chengdu Restaurant and Grandma Chen's Beancurd Restaurant. See our Restaurant Index for more information about where to eat in Chengdu!

Cold Noodles (冷面)

Jisi Liang Mien is a traditional cold dish from Sichuan, which has become popular all over China recently, especially in the north. Noodles are first cooked and then left to cool. They are then served with either bean sprouts or sauce, or eaten with shreds of chicken meat, pork and ham.

Spiced chicken with peanuts (杏仁辣子鸡)

Spiced chicken with peanuts is one of the special local dishes of Chengdu. This dish, while very spicy, is popular with westerners as the taste is similar to sweet and sour. The name for this dish (Gongbao ji ding) stems from a Sichuan legend about a rich man who always asked his chef to cook this dish for visitors. This man went on to become a top official in Sichuan (A Gongbao) hence; the dish associated with him was named this way! Another way to sample this dish is with pork meat instead of

Hot Pot (罐焖土豆烧肉)

Hotpot is very popular in Chengdu, and is known for its spicy and hot flavor which can make the tasters tongue go numb! Hotpot once was only served up at home to the family but is now hugely popular throughout Chengdu on the street and in restaurants. There are numerous different flavors available including lamb and fish hot pot. This is particularly nice in the winter as the spiciness is very warming! To eat a hot pot, just grab some friends, chuck in the pot what you fancy eating and wait for