2020 Latest Chengdu Food Recommendations & Must-Recommended Hotel in Chengdu – Chengdu Ximu Shanju Hotel (Shaanxi Street Branch)

Hot pot, skewers, bobo chicken, braised grilled meat skewers, sweet water noodles… When it comes to Chengdu, there are so many delicious foods like these. Want to see what Chengdu has to offer? Follow my steps, and let's draw a 2020 latest food map of Chengdu together!

Food near Taikoo Li

1. Southeast Asia in Taikoo Li – Jiyu Thai Seafood Hot Pot (Taikoo Li Branch)

Everyone should know the beauty of Thai hot pot. No matter how poor your appetite is in summer, a mouthful of sour and spicy Tom Yum Kung can instantly stimulate your appetite. Lemongrass and galangal are indispensable, and lime adds flavor. Most importantly, Jiyu's Tom Yum soup base is truly simmered with shrimp heads!

The delicate shrimp paste, once cooked in the boiling Tom Yum soup base, shrinks into small balls. It wraps the freshness until released in your mouth. The "swan egg" (a type of clam) half-opens its small mouth, waiting for you to taste its fresh flavor. The abalone is extremely lively, its frills gently opening and closing, firmly locking in the taste of the sea.

Wow, I absolutely love the curry here! Among Thai dishes, curry is my favorite. Thai curry, enriched with coconut milk and various Thai spices, fully showcases its character. The rich and fragrant curry sauce interweaves with the savory and slightly sticky crab meat, instantly spreading deliciousness on the tongue – mildly spicy with a hint of sweetness. The thick coconut milk sauce adds a touch of Southeast Asian allure. The chefs at Jiyu have meticulously pre-cracked the crab for you.

The desserts are also very creative. After removing the coconut flesh, the coconut shell becomes a cute container, filled with adorable little glutinous rice balls that seem eager to burst out. The chewy texture of the rice balls perfectly combines with the beauty of the coconut, infused with coconut aroma, making them exceptionally tempting.

2. Grilling a Whole Plate of Oysters Without Stopping – Oyster Hero (Taikoo Li Branch)

Can you believe there's a restaurant offering an oyster buffet? They probably don't know my reputation as the "Oyster Killer."

The boss of Oyster Hero is like a reclusive martial arts master, with extraordinary skill in selecting oysters. Every detail is carefully considered, aiming to provide diners with the ultimate tongue experience. From ingredient selection to serving, the boss has his own set of standards. The freshness of the oysters is perfectly controlled – incredibly fresh! There is absolutely no sea smell or sand, and they are plump and delicious! Most importantly, you can eat as many oysters as you want here! Did you hear that? If you like oysters, you must not miss this place!

Oysters half the size of a palm are placed on the grill and roasted for about seven to eight minutes until they start bubbling inside the shell. Then, you add garlic sauce! Garlic chili sauce is the soul of grilled oysters. The secret garlic chili sauce in the restaurant is the finishing touch – mildly spicy, with the aroma of garlic bringing the freshness of the whole oyster to life.

And there's my favorite: vermicelli with scallops, also grilled by yourself. The freshness of scallop meat and vermicelli combine into a most delicious symphony.

Moreover, many grilled meats in the restaurant are also self-service. At Oyster Hero, don't worry about calories; just open your stomach and eat!

3. Enjoying Skewers to the Fullest – Dejin Braised Grilled Meat Skewers (Xiangshulin Branch)

Braised grilled skewers are always more fragrant than those grilled over an open flame. Because the air is not circulating, the flavors are forced deep into the skewers.

One dish you must order at Dejin is this! – "Clothesline Potato Shreds." It's the first time I've seen such tangled and winding potato shreds, hung up like clothes. They are super soft and sticky but never break. The juice of the potato shreds is slightly spicy, especially reminiscent of eating spicy strips as a child.

The beef short ribs are incredibly substantial, and the honey-glazed pork ribs are tender and juicy… Dejin truly delivers!

The Thai tiger prawns are huge, skewered "clearly and distinctly." The delicious flavor is sealed inside the shell by braising, and one bite brings all the freshness into my mouth.

Dejin's grilled chicken wings are satisfying to eat! The plump chicken wings are grilled to the point of oil oozing out, still sizzling when served. The skin is slightly crispy and perfectly grilled, while the meat inside is well-marinated!

The grilled bread slices are simply amazing. The moisture in the bread is completely grilled out, leaving only a wisp of wheat fragrance. The crust is crispy and slightly golden, with a faint hint of milk aroma in the crispness.

But don't order too many grilled bread slices; there are many more delicious items at Dejin Braised Grilled Meat Skewers.

Three Consecutive Explorations on Zhimin Road

4. Sitting by the Roadside, Recalling Childhood – By the Roadside Malatang (Zhimin Road Branch)

The street atmosphere of By the Roadside is particularly endearing. Imagine sitting on the curb, with an old-style aluminum pot bubbling away, emitting the aroma of beef tallow. Enjoying skewers with a couple of friends, sitting on small stools, drinking and living freely – what a wonderful thing!

The tender beef, after undergoing the most exclusive marination at By the Roadside, becomes exceptionally soft. Just a quick dip in the beef tallow-rich broth is enough to enjoy. The secret sauce, carrying the spicy aroma of the broth, creates the most delightful taste bud stimulation in summer.

Thousand-layer tripe is always essential for hot pot. Just seven or eight dips up and down, and the tiny bumps on the tripe absorb the broth, along with that addictive crunch!

Although you can choose your own dipping sauce, the classic combination is dry chili powder plus original broth. One spoonful of peanuts, one spoonful of chili, and a drizzle of bubbling original broth. The amount of original broth is important; too much makes it bland, too little makes it hard to mix. Strip the skewered food into the prepared dipping dish, and no matter how much you eat, you won't get tired of it.

Even the dipping dish at By the Roadside is retro to the core – using enamel dishes common in the 1990s. It feels like instantly traveling back to that summer of high school days: the youth, the old chipped enamel dish, and that pot of never-stopping, beef tallow-based broth…

5. The Spiciest Foodies Eating Across Chengdu – Chengdu Foodie (Zhimin Road Branch)

Chengdu Foodie's "Ba Ba Chuan" (bundle skewers) are the most captivating. Those skewers of various flavors string together a hundred tastes of life, each with its own wonderful name.

As the name suggests, Chengdu Foodie has its own specialties. The highly distinctive grilled fish fillets are topped with bright red chilies, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. The generous amount of chili and scallions creates a visually striking scene. The spiciness of the chili perfectly masks the fishy smell, while the delicate fish meat can be broken apart with just the tongue, each fiber so fine and wonderful.

"Naked Prawns" live up to their name – every shrimp shell is cleanly removed, soaked in a hot, oil-glazed red chili oil. Just lift the skewer, and the smooth prawn meat, coated with spicy oil, enters your mouth, bouncing on your tongue.

They also have a way with sweet and sour ribs – choosing the "lip-bone" ribs that fall off the bone with a gentle suck. The super flavorful sweet and sour ribs instantly bring you back to childhood. The thick, dark sauce is a favorite of the older generation. The ribs, coated with a sugar glaze, are full of sweetness, with a hint of aged vinegar's sourness. Mix them with rice, and it's the most wonderful taste of childhood memories.

6. A Fisherman's Fine Feast – {}Yufu Yuzai (Zhimin Road Branch)

Yufu Yuzai's fish is the most ingenious. The huge pickle jars are filled with fragrant pickled vegetables; the hanging chilies and garlic give a rustic farmhouse feel. The mottled brick walls, the long benches and bamboo chairs for cooling off… At this moment, I feel like I'm visiting an ordinary Sichuan farmhouse, where every soup and dish is a generous gift from the host…

Yufu Yuzai is different from ordinary fish hot pot. The transparent fish tank at the entrance displays various fresh fish, which are caught and sliced on the spot to ensure freshness.

The so-called "stone brings luck" refers to cooking the fish in a stone pot to create superb deliciousness.

Fresh fish are deboned and sliced thinly. The stone pot is lined with pebbles, then filled with hot, flavorful broth to cook the fish slices. Because the fish is not directly heated or boiled, it gains an extra tenderness. The traditionally brewed sour cabbage soup tantalizes our taste buds in the air – crisp and refreshingly sour. The freshness of the fish melts like pudding in the mouth, not dry at all. Combined with the broth, it brings a warmth to the throat, and as it goes down, a unique fresh experience makes one feel elated.

What could be more comforting than a bowl of iced jelly after hot pot? That delicious jelly spreads coolness in the mouth, instantly dissolving the heat of the hot pot, leaving only a refreshing chill.

Yufu Yuzai truly delivers the heart-fluttering taste of Sichuan and Chongqing!

Recommended Hotel in Chengdu

Chengdu Ximu Shanju Hotel (Shaanxi Street Branch) near Tianfu Square, Kuanzhai Alley, and People's Park.

Chengdu Ximu Shanju Hotel is located in the city center – No. 130 Shaanxi Street, southwest of Tianfu Square. It is about 930 meters from Metro Lines 1 and 2, about 327 meters from People's Park, about 350 meters from the famous Heming Old Teahouse (inside People's Park), about 290 meters from the Pig Trotter Food Street, about 1.3 km from Kuanzhai Alley, about 1.8 km from Wuhou Shrine and Jinli, about 1.6 km from Chunxi Road, and about 2.5 km from Taikoo Li. The location is excellent and transportation is convenient. Around the hotel, there are educational institutions, key schools, high-end commercial areas, office buildings, the Education Department, the Human Resources and Social Security Department, the Public Security Department, Shishi Middle School, City Heart, Renhe Spring, etc., all within walking distance. The hotel has 94 guest rooms of various types. Within the hotel is a provincial-level key cultural relic – the Shaanxi Guild Hall, built during the Kangxi period, with a calligraphy plaque by Mr. Yu Youren. The 300-year-old rustic architectural style complements modern fashion, full of the charm of ancient Shu culture. You can sleep in the embrace of a classical Chinese garden courtyard, enjoying tranquility amidst the hustle, refined and elegant, favored by family tourists and business people. The bedding, bathroom items, and high-end toiletries in the rooms are all custom-ordered by the group, ensuring quality. The entire hotel has central air conditioning and 100Mbps fiber optic Wi-Fi coverage, meeting your needs for online work and surfing. The first floor has a simple oriental-style buffet restaurant, offering breakfast, afternoon tea, and authentic home-style Sichuan cuisine. The leisure business self-service area and reading area offer a variety of drinks and fruits for guests to enjoy for free. The second-floor meeting room and multimedia theater allow you to watch imported foreign blockbusters and enjoy explosive audio-visual experiences without going to the cinema.

Must-Visit Attractions in Chongzhou

1. Qimu Baiju

It is like a paradise within the Land of Abundance. The Qing Dynasty architecture in western Sichuan, like a delicate Manchu princess, stands alone away from the hustle, unassuming and not vulgar, waiting for you. The wooden structure emits a light fragrance, the distant sound of mountain springs, and the wild vegetables from the mountains – all the rustic charm is here. Wait to savor its beauty, stop to admire and feel relaxed and joyful.

2. Daoming Town – Bamboo Art

In Daoming Town, watching the bamboo weaving reveals its extraordinary charm. Skilled craftsmen handle bamboo strips, weaving them up and down, making the strips obediently take various shapes. DIY sachets are extremely interesting – each stitch expresses longing. I also made one, learning how to sew an orchid to wear, knowing my deep affection. You can also check out the homestays here. Amid the green mountains, living in "Zhuli" (Bamboo Lane), houses made of bamboo blend in seamlessly. The bamboo courtyard path leads deep inside; living there, you feel the elegance of ancient literati, embodying the form and spirit, and also reflecting the pride of green bamboo. Living in Zhuli, hearing birdsong, you wash away worldly worries and return to nature.

3. Sanlang Longhai Tourism Resort

Red pandas are one of my favorite animals, so I rushed to Sanlang Longhai Tourism Resort. Here, red pandas coexist harmoniously with nature – round and chubby, living carefree. After eating and drinking, they hold their bellies and lazily lie aside. Their small eyes sparkle, with dark circles bigger than mine.

4. Jiezi Ancient Town

Jiezi Ancient Town at the foot of Mount Fengqi has stood for a thousand years through wind and rain. The bluestone paths tell countless tales of ephemeral dreams, and the alleys hide the fragrance of wine. Under the night sky, the market is bright as day. Perhaps once, after a dusk when the moon rose over the willows, a scholar looked back and found the beauty in his heart standing in the dimming lights.

5. Kang Path & Guangyan Buddhist Temple

Once a pilgrimage path, the Kang Path was damaged by a natural earthquake but rebuilt with a brand-new look. Walking through the forest, listening to the whispers of flowers and birds, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way, you arrive at the ancient temple – Guangyan Buddhist Temple. The meditation room is deep among flowers and trees; the winding path leads to a secluded place. Entering this temple, you cleanse your soul, as if on a bright mirror stand.

6. Xiyun Painting Academy

The name of this painting academy is my favorite: "Unfolding thoughts, endlessly, winding and flowing, yet empty" – that's the origin of 'Xiyun' (Brook Cloud). This academy houses many famous paintings, carrying profound cultural deposits. Although outstanding alone, it possesses a calm magnanimity – 'Drifting like what? A lone gull between heaven and earth.' I suddenly want to get to know the owner of the academy.

7. Qingcheng Equestrian

Mount Qingcheng has a transcendental aura, giving a feeling of 'the Great Way does nothing.' While being close to Taoism, it also follows the forces of nature. Qingcheng Equestrian embodies a courage to confront horses, a beauty of strength and passion, full of tension and vitality. It also metaphorically represents the mutual balance between humans and nature.

8. Yuantong Ancient Town

Heading to Yuantong Ancient Town, watch the river flow by, thinking about the 1,600-year historical river that surged through this city. Once bustling with people, Yuantong was Chengdu's 'Qingming Riverside Painting.' The convergence of three rivers created its prosperity. But now, time passes like this river; maybe the alleys still retain traces of that prosperity.

9. Haoyun Aviation Club

At Haoyun Aviation Club, I experienced 'speed and passion.' Gliding, which I never dared to dream of, came true in a dream. Take-off happened in an instant; soon I embraced the blue sky and fell in love with its inclusiveness. The plane was very stable; looking down at the earth, I realized how beautiful the land beneath is.

10. Yanhua Pool Museum

The first time I visited Chongzhou, I was captivated by such tender and lingering beauty. Every frame in Yanhua Pool Museum is like an ancient painting; stepping into the painting is like being an immortal in the painting. The splashes of ink from Tang and Song dynasties enter the eyes, forming the myriad beautiful colors within Yanhua Pool. I just want to sit here, sip a cup of loquat tea, and listen to the sound of raindrops hitting the leaves outside the window.