Sichuan is a vast southwestern province of China renowned for its fiery cuisine, spectacular natural scenery, and rich cultural heritage. Home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Jiuzhaigou, Mount Emei, and the Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan captivates visitors with its dramatic landscapes ranging from lush river valleys to towering Tibetan-fringe highlands.
Sichuan cuisine (Chuancai) is one of China's Eight Great Culinary Traditions and arguably the most globally influential, characterized by the uniquely numbing-spicy sensation (mala) created by combining dried chili peppers with Sichuan peppercorns. The province is the birthplace of dishes now famous worldwide including mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, dan dan noodles, and Sichuan hotpot. Beyond the signature heat, Sichuan cooking encompasses an extraordinary range of flavor profiles — sour, sweet, salty, smoky, and savory — and includes the rich Buddhist vegetarian traditions of Mount Emei and the Tibetan-inflected cuisines of western Sichuan.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Sichuan.
Mapo Tofu
Silken tofu braised in a sauce of fermented black beans, ground pork, chili oil, and Sichuan peppercorns — the dish that defined Chengdu cooking
Where to try: Chen Mapo Tofu (original), most Sichuan restaurants
Price: $3–6
Sichuan Hotpot
Communal cooking pot of fiery tallow-based numbing-spicy broth for dipping meats, offal, vegetables, and noodles — the ultimate social dining experience
Where to try: Haidilao, Xiao Long Kan, local hotpot restaurants everywhere
Price: $10–20 per person
Dan Dan Noodles
Wheat noodles in a deeply savory sauce of chili oil, sesame paste, Yili preserved vegetables, and minced pork — originally a street food carried in shoulder poles
Where to try: Long Chao Shou, Chuan Ban, street food stalls
Price: $2–4
Kung Pao Chicken (Gong Bao Ji Ding)
Tender chicken stir-fried with dried chilies, peanuts, and Sichuan peppercorns in a wok — one of China's most famous dishes originates in Sichuan
Where to try: Chuan Ban, Sichuan Impression, any traditional Sichuan restaurant
Price: $5–12
Husband and Wife Beef Slices (Fu Qi Fei Pian)
Thinly sliced beef and offal served cold in a complex dressing of chili oil, sesame paste, and Sichuan peppercorns — a Chengdu cold dish classic
Where to try: Fu Qi Fei Pian restaurant, traditional Sichuan eateries
Price: $4–8
Twice-Cooked Pork (Hui Guo Rou)
Pork belly boiled then sliced and stir-fried with leeks, capsicum, and Pixian doubanjiang — a quintessential Sichuan home dish
Where to try: Yuxiang Renjia, traditional Sichuan restaurants, home cooking
Price: $5–8
Camphor-Smoked Duck
Duck marinated in Sichuan spices then cold-smoked over camphor wood and tea before frying — an iconic banquet dish with crispy skin and fragrant smoky flavor
Where to try: Chengdu Restaurant, Chuan Ban, traditional banquet restaurants
Price: $15–25
Yibin Burning Noodles (Ran Mian)
Dry wheat noodles dressed in lard, soy, Yibin preserved vegetables, and chili oil that must be mixed vigorously — originating in Yibin city in southern Sichuan
Where to try: Yibin Yacai Noodles House, noodle shops in Chengdu
Price: $2–3
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Haidilao Hot Pot (Chunxi Road Branch)
The flagship Chengdu location of China's most celebrated hotpot chain, renowned for theatrical tableside service including noodle-pulling performances and complimentary snacks during wait times. Diners choose from classic spicy numbing broth, mild clear broth, or a split pot to enjoy both simultaneously with premium-quality meats and fresh vegetables.
Known for: 24-hour hotpot with legendary tableside service
8 Chunxi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Chen Mapo Tofu (Original Branch)
The birthplace of mapo tofu, this legendary Chengdu restaurant has been serving its signature silken tofu braised with fermented black beans, chili oil, ground pork, and the numbing tingle of Sichuan peppercorns since 1862. A pilgrimage site for food lovers visiting Chengdu, the original recipe remains unchanged after 150+ years.
Known for: Original 1862 recipe mapo tofu, the world's most famous
197 Xi Yulong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Long Chao Shou
A beloved Chengdu institution operating since 1941, Long Chao Shou specializes in wonton (chaoshou) soup and a vast selection of Sichuan street food snacks all served in a casual multi-story dining hall. A must-visit for dim sum breakfast featuring delicate dumplings in red oil chili sauce.
Known for: Authentic Chengdu wonton and street food snacks since 1941
8 Chunxi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Fu Qi Fei Pian
Named after the legendary dish invented by a married couple (fuqi means 'husband and wife'), this restaurant specializes in the classic Sichuan cold dish of thinly sliced beef and offal drizzled in a complex sauce of chili oil, sesame paste, and Sichuan peppercorns. A definitive Chengdu eating experience.
Known for: Definitive Chengdu cold beef dish in complex chili-sesame sauce
18 Shaanxi Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Yuxiang Renjia
A popular Chengdu restaurant chain serving authentic home-style Sichuan cooking at affordable prices, including fish-fragrant eggplant, twice-cooked pork, and dry-braised green beans. A reliable choice for a filling local meal that captures the flavors Sichuan families eat every day.
Known for: Authentic Sichuan home-cooking at affordable prices
115 Binjiang Middle Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Shu Feng Yuan Ye Sichuan Opera Teahouse
A traditional Chengdu teahouse that serves authentic Sichuan snacks and tea sets while hosting live Sichuan Opera face-changing performances. Guests sit in ornate teahouse booths enjoying tea ceremony experiences and a rotating cast of performers throughout the evening — an all-in-one cultural and culinary experience.
Known for: Sichuan Opera performances with authentic teahouse food and culture
Huaxi Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Grandma's Kitchen
A cozy expat-friendly restaurant in Chengdu's Kehua Bei Road area serving American-style comfort food including burgers, pastas, salads, and weekend brunch. Popular with the foreign community and travelers seeking a break from spicy Sichuan food.
Known for: Western comfort food and weekend brunch for international travelers
Kehua Bei Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Ba Guobu Hot Pot
A Chengdu institution serving old-style Chengdu hotpot in a rustic setting that eschews modern tableside extravagance for pure flavor. The broth is made from decades-old starter using traditional Pixian doubanjiang (fermented bean paste) giving it an unmatched depth and complexity.
Known for: Authentic old Chengdu-style hotpot with traditional Pixian paste broth
4 Kehua Bei Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Sichuan Hotpot
Xiao Long Kan Old Hot Pot
A nationally popular Sichuan hotpot chain headquartered in Chengdu, known for its old-style (jiupai) copper hotpot with richly flavored spicy tallow-based broth and quality ingredients. More traditional in style than Haidilao, this is where local Chengdu residents go for their hotpot fix.
Known for: Traditional old-style Chengdu hotpot with tallow broth base
166 Jiuyan Bridge, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Dao Fu Er Hot Pot
A popular local hotpot restaurant focused on premium fresh ingredients including grass-fed beef, fresh-cut tripe, and homemade fish balls. Known for offering slightly milder numbing-spicy broth options making it more accessible to spice-sensitive international visitors.
Known for: Accessible Sichuan hotpot with mild-moderate spice level options
89 Xin Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Xiabu Xiabu Hot Pot
A popular quick-serve hotpot chain with individual one-person hot pots at each seat, allowing solo diners to enjoy a full hotpot experience without sharing. An excellent entry point for first-time hotpot diners with a mix of spicy and non-spicy broth options.
Known for: Solo individual hotpot perfect for single travelers
Chengdu IFS Mall, 1 Hongxing Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
Old House Hotpot (Laozhai Huoguo)
A character-filled hotpot restaurant set in a renovated old Sichuan house with bamboo furniture, lantern lighting, and an atmospheric courtyard. Serves high-quality premium hotpot with curated broth options and a thoughtfully selected seasonal ingredient menu.
Known for: Atmospheric heritage building hotpot with premium ingredients
15 Tonghuimen, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan
Chengdu Restaurant (Chengdu Caiguan)
One of Chengdu's most prestigious traditional Sichuan restaurants with a history of hosting national leaders, featuring elevated interpretations of classic dishes in elegant surroundings with private dining rooms and a comprehensive baijiu selection. A premier choice for special occasions.
Known for: Elevated classic Sichuan cuisine in a historic restaurant setting
134 Shaoling Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan Impression (Chuan Zhi Yin Xiang)
A respected Sichuan restaurant in Chengdu known for its meticulous approach to traditional Sichuan cooking, sourcing premium Pixian doubanjiang, authentic Hanyuan peppercorns, and locally grown produce. The private dining rooms make it excellent for business entertaining.
Known for: Meticulous traditional Sichuan cuisine with premium sourced ingredients
162 Lan Gui Fang, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Yi Pin Tian Xia
A popular Chengdu restaurant chain offering reliable Sichuan home-cooking in clean, modern surroundings at very affordable prices. Excellent for families and travelers who want authentic local flavors without the high-end price tag.
Known for: Reliable affordable Sichuan home-cooking for families and budget travelers
12 Renmin Zhong Road Section 1, Jinhua District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Modern Sichuan
Jing Zhengfu (Sichuan Fine Dining)
A contemporary fine dining restaurant in Chengdu offering creative reinterpretations of Sichuan flavor profiles using modern culinary techniques and premium seasonal ingredients. The tasting menu showcases lesser-known Sichuan dishes alongside reinvented classics, paired with curated Chinese tea or domestic wine selections.
Known for: Modern Sichuan cuisine with tasting menu and tea pairing
88 Kehua Bei Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Klee Klee Modern Sichuan
A progressive Chengdu restaurant by one of Sichuan's leading young chefs, deconstructing and reimagining classic Sichuan dishes through a contemporary lens with seasonal local ingredients and refined plating. The intimate space and chef's counter seats make it one of the most exciting dining destinations in Chengdu.
Known for: Progressive modern Sichuan tasting menu with seasonal ingredients
48 Jiefang Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan Street Food
He Ji Old Chengdu Guo Kui
A beloved street food stall famous for guo kui — crispy layered flatbreads stuffed with spicy marinated beef, lung slices, or sweet sesame paste. One of the definitive Chengdu street foods, best eaten hot from the clay oven on the street.
Known for: Traditional Chengdu clay-oven flatbreads with spicy fillings
Chunxi Road Pedestrian Area, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Jiuyan Bridge Night Market
An iconic Chengdu night food market along the riverside near Jiuyan Bridge, with dozens of stalls serving skewers (chuan chuan xiang), spicy cold noodles, grilled eggplant, stinky tofu, and other Chengdu street classics. The liveliest outdoor dining experience in the city.
Known for: Riverside night market with the full range of Chengdu street food
Jiuyan Bridge Riverside, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Bar Food
The Lazy Pug Craft Beer Bar
Chengdu's pioneering craft beer bar offering 20+ rotating taps of locally brewed and imported craft beers alongside bar bites including loaded nachos, wings, and sliders. A hub for the expat community and craft beer enthusiasts.
Known for: 20+ rotating craft beer taps with Western bar food
33 Yinianwei, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Classic Sichuan Banquet
Sichuan Tower (Sichuan Lou)
A grand banquet-style restaurant in Chengdu famous for hosting official state dinners and preparing elaborate multi-course Sichuan banquet menus. The camphor-smoked duck, red-braised pork knuckle, and fish-fragrant pork slivers are prepared to classical recipes by master chefs.
Known for: Grand traditional Sichuan banquet cuisine for groups and special occasions
88 Yan Shi Kou, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
French
La Vague (French Fusion)
An innovative Chengdu restaurant fusing French culinary techniques with Sichuan ingredients and flavors, created by a French-trained Chinese chef. The tasting menu changes seasonally and might feature dishes like Sichuan peppercorn duck confit, tofu ganache, or Lanzhou lamb with black vinegar jus.
Known for: Inventive French-Sichuan fusion tasting menu
Taikoo Li South, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Guizhou
Qian Du Restaurant (Guizhou Cuisine)
A Chengdu restaurant serving the distinctive sour-spicy cuisine of neighboring Guizhou province, featuring sour fish soup, beef with sour pickles, and rice wine chicken. An excellent contrast to Sichuan numbing spice for travelers wanting to explore the flavor diversity of southwest China.
Known for: Sour-spicy Guizhou cuisine as a flavorful contrast to Sichuan cooking
67 Zhong Yi Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
International
The Bookworm Chengdu
A beloved Chengdu cultural institution combining a library, live music venue, café, and Western-international restaurant in one space. Popular with the expat community and book-loving travelers, the Bookworm hosts weekly live jazz and literary events in a relaxed atmosphere.
Known for: Western café-restaurant with library and live music in an international atmosphere
28-2 Yujie East Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
River Fish
Leshan River Fish Restaurant
A locally loved riverside restaurant in Leshan serving freshly caught Min River fish prepared Sichuan-style — braised in doubanjiang, dry-pot style, or simply steamed. The open-air dining terrace overlooks the Dadu River confluence near the Giant Buddha area.
Known for: Fresh Min River fish in Sichuan braised and dry-pot styles
Riverside Road, Leshan City, Sichuan
Sichuan Cooking Class
Panda Kitchen Cooking School & Restaurant
A cooking school restaurant in Chengdu where guests can enroll in morning cooking classes and then eat the dishes they've prepared for lunch. The English-friendly classes teach mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and Sichuan noodles, and the lunch restaurant is open to non-class visitors as well.
Known for: Sichuan cooking class with eat-your-own-cooking lunch experience
23 Zhong Sha Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan Dumplings
Zhong's Dumplings (Zhong Shui Jiao)
A Chengdu street food institution serving zhong shui jiao — small steamed pork dumplings in a distinctive sweet and savory sauce of soy, chili oil, sugar, and garlic that makes them uniquely addictive. Lines form early morning and by noon the best items often sell out.
Known for: The most famous sweet-savory red oil dumplings in Chengdu
85 Liujiaxiang, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan Fish
Huang Ji Huang Braised Fish
A hugely popular Sichuan restaurant chain famous for its sizzling spicy grilled fish (kaokaoyu) — a whole fish marinated in spicy seasonings and served on a flame plate with a choice of spicy, garlic-butter, or pickled vegetable sauces. Queue for an authentic Chengdu evening dining experience.
Known for: Sizzling spicy grilled whole fish on flame plates
36 Fuqin Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan Home Style
Mao's Family Braised Pork (Mao Jia Rou)
A popular Chengdu restaurant specializing in slow-braised red pork belly (red-braised pork or hong shao rou) served in clay pots with pickled vegetables and rice. Known for rich, unctuous pork braised for hours in soy, sugar, Shaoxing wine, and spices.
Known for: Slow-braised red pork belly served in traditional clay pots
42 Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan Snacks
Tao Ran Ju Restaurant
A multi-story Chengdu restaurant dedicated to the full spectrum of Sichuan small plates and snacks (xiao chi) — from wonton soup and cold noodles to rabbit head, jelly noodles, and sticky rice in lotus leaf. The perfect spot to sample a wide variety of Sichuan flavors in one sitting.
Known for: Wide selection of Sichuan small plates for a comprehensive tasting experience
10 Zongfu Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan Teahouse
Tongzi Lou Teahouse & Restaurant
A beloved old-style Chengdu teahouse in People's Park (Renmin Park) where locals gather for morning tea and mahjong. Sipping a gaiwan of fragrant jasmine tea while watching elderly Chengdu residents while away the morning is one of the most authentic city experiences available.
Known for: Authentic Chengdu park teahouse experience with traditional gaiwan tea service
Renmin Park (People's Park), Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
State
Chuan Ban Sichuan Restaurant
Run by the Sichuan Provincial Government's hospitality subsidiary, Chuan Ban is a prestigious institution serving state-banquet level Sichuan cuisine in a traditional courtyard setting. The menu represents the best of all Sichuan regional cooking styles from Chengdu to Leshan to Zigong.
Known for: State-banquet quality Sichuan cuisine representing all regional styles
789 Shuanglin Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Tea & Desserts
Lele Cha (Let's Cha) Milk Tea
A popular Sichuan-born bubble tea and dessert chain offering cheese tea, fresh fruit teas, and traditional Chinese desserts. The Sichuan-exclusive taro rice cake and numbing-sweet sesame black sugar boba have developed a cult following among locals.
Known for: Sichuan-born specialty tea drinks and sweet desserts
IFS Mall B2, Tianfu Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Tibetan
Jiuzhaigou Tibetan Feast Restaurant
A Tibetan-style restaurant in Zhangzha town near Jiuzhaigou serving traditional Tibetan dishes including yak butter tea, tsampa, yak meat stew, and barley wine. The restaurant features live traditional music performances in the evenings.
Known for: Traditional Tibetan cuisine and butter tea near Jiuzhaigou
Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan
Vegetarian
Emei Vegetarian Kitchen
A serene vegetarian restaurant at the base of Mount Emei serving Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (zhaicai) prepared by monks using fresh mountain produce, tofu, mushrooms, and herbs. The creative meat-free dishes use traditional techniques to deliver complex flavors without any animal products.
Known for: Authentic Buddhist vegetarian cuisine using fresh Emei mountain ingredients
Baoguo Temple Road, Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan
Yibin Noodles
Yibin Yacai Noodles House
A Chengdu restaurant specializing in Yibin-style burning noodles (burning noodles or ranmian) — a dry noodle dish dressed with lard, dark soy, Yibin preserved vegetables, minced pork, and chili oil that must be mixed vigorously before eating. One of the most addictive noodle dishes in all of Sichuan.
Known for: Authentic Yibin-style dry noodles, one of Sichuan's most beloved noodle dishes
56 Yulin Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Zigong
Zigong Salt Fish Restaurant
Zigong city has its own distinctive Sichuan culinary style influenced by ancient salt trade wealth, featuring richer flavors and unique preparations like cold rabbit in sesame sauce and salt-cured meats. This Zigong-style restaurant in Chengdu brings these regional specialties to the capital.
Known for: Distinctive Zigong-style Sichuan cuisine with salt heritage flavors
233 Kehua Bei Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Food tours & tastings in Sichuan
Eat your way through Sichuan with a guide.
Browse food experiences in SichuanWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Chuan Chuan Xiang (Skewers)
Bamboo skewers of meats, offal, vegetables, and tofu dipped in spicy broth or dry-spice powder — Chengdu's most popular street snack
Find it at: Jiuyan Bridge night market, Kuanzhai Alley street stalls
Guo Kui (Layered Flatbreads)
Clay-oven baked crispy flatbreads stuffed with spicy beef, sesame paste, or marinated lung slices
Find it at: Chunxi Road pedestrian street, Kuanzhai Alley
Spicy Rabbit Head (La Tu Zi Tou)
Braised rabbit heads in fiery chili and Sichuan peppercorn sauce — a uniquely Chengdu street food beloved by locals
Find it at: Kuanzhai Alley, night markets, specialist rabbit head restaurants
Ye Er Ba (Rice Leaves Cake)
Sticky rice filled with pork and pickled vegetables, wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed — a portable Sichuan snack
Find it at: Morning markets, traditional snack stalls
Liang Fen (Cold Jelly Noodles)
Translucent mung bean or sweet potato jelly noodles in a tangy spicy sauce of vinegar, chili oil, garlic, and soy
Find it at: Street stalls throughout Chengdu, markets in Jiuzhaigou
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Chengdu Farmers Market (Caishi Street)
A sprawling traditional wet market selling fresh Sichuan produce, tofu, spices, and live poultry — the real food life of Chengdu
Hours: 5:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pixian Douban Market
The home of Pixian's famous fermented bean paste in Pixian County — visit the workshops and buy artisanal douban to take home
Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Kuan Zhai Alley Food Street
Curated traditional snack street within the historic lanes offering supervised, food-safe versions of Chengdu street classics
Hours: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
Sichuan Spice Market (Huang Cheng Bazi)
Enormous market near Tianfu Square selling dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, dried mushrooms, and cooking condiments
Hours: 7:00 AM–6:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Order a split hotpot (yuanyang guo) to enjoy both spicy and mild broths if sharing with spice-averse companions
Tell servers the level of spice you want: wei la (slightly spicy), zhong la (medium), te la (very spicy)
Breakfast culture in Chengdu is excellent — seek out noodle soup houses, wonton stalls, and guo kui vendors from 7 AM
Many top restaurants require reservations on weekends — book via the Dianping app or your hotel concierge
Tea is complimentary at traditional teahouses when paying the table fee (typically $1–3)
- Vegetarian
- Buddhist vegetarian (zhaichu) restaurants are found near temples. At regular restaurants request 'su cai' (vegetarian). The Emei vegetarian tradition is exceptional.
- Halal
- Halal restaurants (qingzhen) exist in Chengdu serving Muslim-friendly Chinese food — look for the crescent moon symbol. Options are limited outside Chengdu.
- Gluten free
- Many Sichuan dishes contain soy sauce and noodles; rice-based dishes and hotpot with rice noodles are generally gluten-free. Communicate your needs carefully as kitchen cross-contamination is common.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $3–8 per meal | Street food stalls, noodle shops, and local eateries — the best of Sichuan at lowest prices |
| Mid-range | $12–25 per meal | Sit-down Sichuan restaurants with table service and comprehensive menus |
| Upscale | $50+ per meal | Fine dining, modern Sichuan, banquet restaurants, and international cuisine |