Chengdu isn’t just famous for pandas — it’s a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and a paradise for food lovers.
Street Food Adventures
I began at Kuanzhai Alley, where the air was thick with the aroma of chili oil. Vendors served chuan chuan skewers, guo kui stuffed pancakes, and bowls of dandan noodles bursting with numbing spice. Every bite was an explosion of flavor and texture.
Hotpot Heaven
No trip to Chengdu is complete without trying authentic Sichuan hotpot. I sat with friends around a bubbling red broth filled with peppercorns and dried chilies. We dipped meats, tofu, lotus root, and mushrooms into the fiery soup, cooling down with plum juice and sweet potato noodles.
Cooking Class & Market Tour
To take a piece of Chengdu home, I joined a local cooking class. After visiting a traditional market to buy fresh ingredients, I learned to make mapo tofu and kung pao chicken from scratch. It deepened my appreciation for Sichuan cuisine.
Must-Try Dishes
-
Mapo Tofu
-
Dandan Noodles
-
Rabbit Head (for the brave)
-
Sichuan Cold Noodles (liang mian)
Pro Tip: Don’t just eat — watch how locals eat. Food in Chengdu is a social, joyful, communal ritual.
