Chengdu is a UNSECO World City of Gastronomy, and famous globally for its cuisine. It has tens of thousands of restaurants, and amazing food around every corner – but sometimes the choice can be overwhelming. Are expats and visitors able to tap into the best Chengdu has to offer, or do we too often resort to what we know?
We collected a list of 5 of the most frequented and talked-about-in-English local restaurants, and sent our local food-man, Jordan Porter of Chengdu Food Tours, out to try them and let us know what he thinks:
Chen Mapo Tofu 陈麻婆豆腐
Chen Mapo Tofu reigns supreme in guidebooks, onTripAdvisor and is on the list of things to try for most tourists to the city. First things first – there is no longer an ‘original Chen Mapo Tofu’ restaurant – it is now a ‘China Time Honored Brand’ and so owned and run by the government. Whilst it’s now largely a (domestic) tourist restaurant, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make decent food.
They have a wide variety of Sichuan classics served up in small portions so you can sample a whole bunch, in a clean and comfy ‘Chinesey’ setting. If it’s your first night in town its a great place to get the lay of the land, or to take your parents when they come to town. It has a pretty good Mapo Tofu to use as a measuring stick, but do be sure to try some others.
Addresses:
No. 15, Donghuamen Street, Qingyang District
青羊区东华门街51号
No.10, Qinghua Road, Qingyang District
青羊区青华路10号
No.63, Chengshou Street, Jinjiang District
锦江区城守街63号
And several other locations in Chengdu
Da Dong Bei 大东北
Address:
2F, No.2, No.12 Wuhouci Crossstreet, Shuhan East Street, Wuhou District
武侯区蜀汉东街武侯祠横街12号附2号2楼
Hai Di Lao Hotpot 海底捞火锅
HaiDiLao could be considered an upscale hotpot (its no back alley Chongqing sweat fest that’s for sure) and is as famous for its incredible service – think singing waitresses, shoulder rubs, and just a general desire to make the customer happy. This is welcome and refreshing – but it depends what you are going for. If you’re in Beijing, HaiDiLao is a decent choice, but in Chengdu there is better Hot Pot.
Addresses:
Floor L04009, Wangfujing Shopping Center, 2nd Floor, Kehua Middle Road, Wuhou District
武侯区科华中路2楼王府井购物中心层L04009
6-7F, Sunshine New Industry Center, No.87, East 5th Section, 1st Ring Road, Jinjiang District
锦江区一环路东五段87号阳光新业中心6-7F
3F, Longhu 3000 Set, No. 2, Section 3, Jianshe North Road, Chenghua District
成华区建设北路三段2号龙湖三千集3层
and a bunch of other locations in Chengdu
Zhuan Zhuan Mo aka The Rabbit Place 转转磨
The highlight though, for most people here is the rabbit. But honestly, the hand shredded roast rabbit, is a pretty watered down and I got to say it, boring version, of a Sichuan classic. It’s still crispy and reasonably tasty, and maybe it’s the lack of spice is that draws people in, but judged on the scale of rabbits in Chengdu its decidedly tame and mediocre一般般).
The duck, roasted on a bed of crispy rice, is however delicious and one of my favorite dishes there. Zhuan Zhuan Mo is cool, but if you want a rabbit make your way west a couple blocks into Yulin and check out Wang Ma Shou Si Tu. That’s the real deal Rabbit Restaurant.
Address:
F5, 34 Jinxiu Road, Wuhou District [up The Beer Nest – take the glass elevator on the corner]
武侯区锦绣路34号五楼
MaoJiaoHuoLa 冒椒火辣
Addresses:
No. 33, Kuixing Lou Street, Qingyang District (near Jixiang Street)
青羊区奎星楼街33号(近吉祥街)
No. 1 Yujie Lane, Wuhou District
武侯区玉洁巷1号
No.4 Xizugong South Street, Jinjiang District
锦江区惜字宫南街4号
and several other locations in Chengdu
Chengdu is full of amazing food in every corner of the city. Everyone’s entitled to like what they like but we highly recommend changing up your routine, finding new places and pushing your limits. Don’t just go where you know! Look for anywhere that’s consistently busy with locals of a variety of ages and you should be good to go.
This updated article is from the archives from our favourite Sichuan food writer (no, not you Dunlop) Jordan Porter – who unfortunately isn’t in the city anymore.
