Chengdu · China
The Chengdu food cheat sheet
One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026
The dish to eat
Soft tofu in a fiery, numbing sauce of chili bean paste, ground beef and Sichuan pepper.
Best at Chen Mapo Tofu, Qinghua Road (and other branches). Get: Mapo tofu with a bowl of rice, plus twice-cooked pork
Five places, and what to order
- Qin Shan Zhaiinstitution · Wuhou (Wuhou Temple Street)Get: Medicinal herbal hot pot, twice-cooked pork with dried orange peel and wild mushrooms
- Ming Tingfor mapo tofu · Waicaojia Alley, YijiefangGet: Mapo tofu, including the brave version with pig's brain
- Shang Palacefor mapo tofu · Shangri-La Hotel, Binjiang East RoadGet: Mapo tofu and the dan dan noodles
- Gan Ji Fei Chang Fenbreakfast · Jinniu, Ma'an North RoadGet: Glass noodles with braised intestines
- Yan Taipo Guokui 严太婆锅盔breakfast · Wenshu Monastery areaGet: Filled guokui flatbread
How it works here
Tip: No tipping; it can confuse people. Hotels may add service.
Book: Book the famous names a few days out through your hotel; noodle and dumpling shops are walk-in.
When locals eat: Lunch 11:30am-1pm, dinner 5:30-8pm; late night is for hotpot and skewers.