Hotpot
The soul of Chengdu dining: a bubbling beef-tallow broth with tripe, aorta, and duck intestine — numbing, spicy, and electric. There's nothing a hotpot can't fix.
小龙坎、蜀大侠、大龙燚都是热门选择
Chuanchuan Xiang (Skewer Hotpot)
Chengdu's take on skewers — ingredients threaded on bamboo sticks and boiled in hotpot broth. Try both the 'dry' cold-pot and the bubbling hot-pot styles.
马路边边、钢管厂五区小郡肝
Zhong Shui Jiao (Zhong's Sweet Dumplings)
A Chengdu classic: thin-skinned, tender dumplings drenched in red-oil sauce that's sweet with a chili kick — nothing like northern jiaozi.
春熙路附近多家老字号
Dandan Mian (Dandan Noodles)
Chengdu's everyday noodle — sesame paste, chili oil, and minced pork. Stir it up and the aroma hits you first.
龙抄手、陈麻婆豆腐店都有
Rabbit Head (Tu Tou)
A Chengdu obsession, offered in five-spice or numbingly spicy versions. Gnawing on a rabbit head is practically a local pastime.
双流老妈兔头、王妈手撕烤兔
Gaiwan Tea
The heart of Chengdu's teahouse culture: a bowl of tea, a bamboo chair, and an entire afternoon. Heming Teahouse in People's Park has the best vibe.
人民公园鹤鸣茶社