Chengdu is about far more than heat. The numbing lift of Sichuan pepper, the aroma of chili oil, and sweet-savory sauces create layers of classic Sichuan flavor. Street snacks and neighborhood restaurants flow into one another, keeping the city delicious from breakfast to late night.
Numbing heat
Street-snack culture
All-day dining
01
What to eat in Chengdu
- 01
Zhong Shui Jiao
Thin-skinned pork dumplings dressed with sweet soy sauce and red chili oil.
- 02
Dan Dan Noodles
Fine noodles coated with preserved greens, minced pork, and fragrant chili oil.
- 03
Long Chao Shou
Delicate wontons served either in a clear broth or a vivid red-oil sauce.
- 04
Sweet Water Noodles
Chewy thick noodles with sweet soy, garlic, and a slow-building chili kick.
02
Eat like a local
Begin with red-oil wontons in the morning, graze on snacks in the afternoon, and save dinner for a full Sichuan meal.