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Best Restaurants in Chengdu

Article by Lost Plate Food Tours

Published on February 6, 2020

Kung Pao chicken, Mapo tofu, dumplings, noodles, the list goes on forever. Chengdu is often referred to as the culinary capital of China, and it is full of amazing restaurants offering all of the classic Sichuan dishes. In fact, 30% of Chinese restaurants in China are Sichuan restaurants, making it the top Chinese cuisine in China.  

Our Chengdu Food Tours offer the best of the best and if you’re not in town you can order our Sichuan Recipe Box to your doorstep. If you are in Chengdu, we’ve put together a list the best restaurants in Chengdu to try in this amazing city. All of them offer a great variety of dishes in a foreigner-friendly environment with English menus. Our recommendation? Try them all.

Pan Sun Shi (盘飧市)

Located on a busy local street behind the CBD’s fanciest shops, this spot is extremely popular with long-time locals for their traditional flavors. You may notice a larger number of older customers who enjoy the classic dishes here which taste the same way they did a generation ago. The stylish restaurant offers a huge menu with photos, and their sister store outside specializes in very authentic marinated meats. All ingredients are freshly procured the same day, which is proven by the queue it often draws from locals. The menu also has English translations. Average price here is about 73 RMB/ person.

Opening Hours: Daily from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5 PM to 9:30 PM

What To Order:

  • Fried Beef With Pepper Corn- Xiǎochǎo huáng niúròu (小炒黄牛肉)
  • Marinated Meats- located outside the restaurant. Lǔ-cài (卤菜)
  • Buns- located outside the restaurant after 4 PM. Bāo-zi (包子)
  • Marinated Meats with steamed bread- Lǔ-ròu-guō-kuí (卤肉锅魁)
  • Kung Pao Chicken- Gōng-bǎo-jī-dīng (宫爆鸡丁)
  • Toasted Rice with Stew- A sour soup filled with pork and veggies poured over crispy rice crackers. Guō-bā-ròu-piàn (锅巴肉片)

Address: 62-64 Huaxing Street. Accessible by 2nd Chengdu People’s Hospital Subway Station on line 3 or line 4, exit A, about 0.6km.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 你好,请带我去盘飧市,华兴街62-64号(近王府井,锦江剧院旁),谢谢。
Google Map; Baidu Map

Zhang’s Roasted Duck (张烤鸭)

Step aside Beijing, because Chengdu has its own version of roasted duck complete with a wood-fuelled oven and racks loaded with roasted birds. Our founder Ruixi grew up eating at this restaurant, and we understand why it’s still one of her favorites. The roasted duck here can be enjoyed Beijing style, sliced at your table for only a fraction of Beijing’s price, or Chengdu style, served atop a rich and slightly spicy soup. We recommend the latter for a local experience but honestly, neither will disappoint. The menu includes photos and English translations. The average price here is about 73 RMB/ person.

Opening Hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM

What To Order:

  • Soup with Roasted Duck- Mào-kǎo-yā (冒烤鸭)
  • Crab Roe Tofu- Xiè-huáng-dòufu (蟹黄豆腐)
  • Steamed Meat with Pumpkin- Nánguā-zhēng-ròu (南瓜蒸肉)
  • Sour Soup with Fish- Suān-tāng-yú (酸汤鱼)
  • Twice Cooked Pork- Huí-guō-ròu (回锅肉)

Address: 9 Gu Wolongqiao Street, 3rd Floor, accessible by Tianfu Square Subway Station on line 1 or line 2, exit 1, about 0.8km.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 你好,请带我去张烤鸭(青石桥总店),古卧龙桥街9号,近青石桥市场,谢谢。
Google Map; Baidu Map

Ji Mao Restaurant (鸡毛店)

Authentic local Sichuan food is very well represented here at Ji Mao restaurant. Combining modern decoration, creative dishes with traditional flavors creates a unique experience that showcases what the cuisine accomplishes and is capable of. Samples of food are prepared by the door so that the guests will know exactly what to order. Each dish is big in portions and meant to share, so you will leave full and satisfied. This restaurant chain is quite popular with many locations, the one we provided below is their flagship restaurant. To reduce waiting time, we will recommend you to avoid lunch and dinner peak times. The average price here is about 70 RMB/ person.

Opening Hours:  Daily from 11 AM to 2:30 PM  and 5 PM to 9 PM

What To Order:

  • Spicy Chicken- Là-zǐ-jī (辣子鸡)
  • Cold Chicken Noodles- Jī-sī-liáng-miàn (鸡丝凉面)
  • Fish Flavored Eggplant- Yú-xiāng-qié-bǐng (鱼香茄饼)

Address: 167 Yulin West Road, accessible by Yiguanmiao Subway Station on line 3, exit B, about 0.76km.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 你好,请带我去鸡毛店(玉林店),玉林西路167路,谢谢。
Google Map; Baidu Map

Tian Tian Restaurant (天添饭店)

Our founder Ruixi’s eyes light up at the mention of this place. Her family has been coming here since she was born and they say the flavor hasn’t changed since. The specialty here is the fresh squirrel fish: fried, covered in sweet ‘n sour sauce, and served whole (head included). The presentation is special, you’ll just have to see it for yourself! Average price here is about 48 RMB/ person.

Open Hour: Daily from 11:30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 9:30 PM.

What To Order:

  • Squirrel Fish- the dish mentioned above. Sōng-shǔ-yú (松鼠鱼)
  • Chicken with Chilies and Preserved Veggies- Jī-mǐ-yá-cài (鸡米芽菜)
  • Homemade Tofu- Jiā-cháng-dòu-fu (家常豆腐)
  • Eggplant- Yú-xiāng-qié-bǐng (鱼香茄饼)

Address: 16 Yulin Dong Street, accessible by Nijiaqiao Subway Station on line 1, exit A, about 0.4 km.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 你好,请带我去天添饭店(玉林东街店),玉林东街16号,谢谢。
Google Map; Baidu Map

Xi Yue Cheng Tan Dou Hua (西月城谭豆花)

This is the spot to get your noodles and dumplings. Every kind imaginable is served, making this one of the best and most popular spots in town. This time-honored brand is truly not to miss. There is no English menu available, but there are photos of each dish behind the counter where you order. Just take our recommendations below! The average price here is about 22  RMB/ person.

Open Hour: Daily from 7:30 AM to 9 PM

What To Order:

  • Sweet Water Noodles- Our favorite! Tián-shuǐ-miàn (甜水面)
  • Dan Dan Noodles- Dàn-dàn-miàn (担担面)
  • Spicy Beef with Tofu- Niú-ròu-dòu-huā (牛肉豆花)
  • Zhong’s Dumplings- Zhōng-shuǐ-jiǎo (钟水饺)
  • Sweet Tofu- Bīng-zuì-dòu-huā (冰醉豆花)

Address: 56 Shuwaer Street, accessible by Taisheng Road South Subway Station on line 4, exit B, about 0.8km.
Show Your Taxi Driver: 西月城谭豆花(春熙路店),提督街暑袜北二街56号
Google Map; Baidu Map

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