Chengdu Foodie Trip Idea

Chengdu is a foodie's paradise and the official UNESCO City of Gastronomy—so you're in for a seriously flavourful ride. Here’s a short list on what to eat in Chengdu, including must-try dishes:

1. Chengdu Hot Pot
2. Dan Dan Noodles
3. Sichuan-Style Fried Chicken
4. Mapo Tofu
5. Chuan Chuan Xiang

Yes, Chengdu is very famous for spicy food—it’s the capital of Sichuan cuisine (川菜), one of China’s most iconic and flavour-packed culinary traditions. However, not all dishes are melt-your-face-off spicy! Locals love layered flavors, so many meals balance heat with sweetness, sourness, or umami. You can always ask for "less spicy" (少辣) or "no spice" (不辣).

The flavours of Chengdu are famously bold, complex, and unforgettable. As the heart of Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu’s cooking is built on layers of taste, not just heat. Here’s a list of the signature flavour profiles that make Chengdu’s food so iconic:

1. Mala (麻辣) – Numbing and Spicy
2. Xiang La (香辣) – Fragrant and Spicy
3. Suan La (酸辣) – Sour and Spicy
4. Tian (甜) – Sweet
5. Yu Xiang (鱼香) – Fish-Fragrant
6. Chen Xiang (陈香) – Aged, Smoky Fragrance

Don’t worry—vegetarians can not only survive but thrive in Chengdu with a little insider know-how. Here's a survival guide to help you enjoy the best of Chengdu's Sichuan cuisine—meat-free style.

1. Know the Vegetarian-Friendly Dishes such as Yuxang Eggplant (鱼香茄子), Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐), Hot & Sour Glass Noodles (酸辣粉), etc.
2. Vegetarian Hotpotis also available. Ask for a “clear soup” (清汤) or mushroom broth (菌汤) and load up on tofu, lotus root, potato, mushrooms, seaweed knots, noodles, and many more.
3. Useful Phrases to Know
   • "I am vegetarian" – 我是素食者 (wǒ shì sùshí zhě)
   • "No meat" – 不要肉 (bú yào ròu)
   • "No lard or meat oil" – 不要猪油或肉油 (bú yào zhū yóu huò ròu yóu)
   • "Is this vegetarian?" – 这个是素的吗？(zhège shì sù de ma?)

Mandarin (often referring to Northern Chinese cuisine, particularly Beijing-style) and Sichuan cuisine are two of China’s major regional food styles—and they’re very different in terms of flavor, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Sichuan cuisine is bold, spicy and numbing whereas Mandarin cuisine is milder, heartier and savoury.