What Food To Try in Chengdu and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Chengdu for 2024.
National currency: Yuan Renminbi, symbol — ¥ (international currency code CNY).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Chengdu cafes and restaurants
$2.8
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $2.07
$24.9
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $13.81
$4.8
Combo Meal
Starting from $4.14
What to Try in Chengdu
Must-try Dishes
Chengdu Breakfast Noodles - 板面 (Ban Mian) - Thick wheat noodles in rich broth, typically topped with fragrant garlic and chili oil. Locals enjoy this hearty dish for breakfast, often paired with pickled vegetables.Spicy Grilled Skewers - 串串 (Chuan Chuan) - Skewered meats and veggies, grilled over open flames and doused in spicy sauces. Street vendors fire them up all evening, creating the perfect late-night snack while grabbing a beer with friends.
Mapo Tofu - 麻婆豆腐 (Mápó Dòufu) - Silken tofu served in a spicy and savory sauce made with ground pork, fermented black beans, and Sichuan peppercorns. It's a mainstay for lunch, often shared at restaurants where friends gather around a hot pot.
Twice Cooked Pork - 回锅肉 (Huí Guō Ròu) - Pork belly first boiled, then stir-fried with peppers and leeks for a smoky flavor. This dish represents Sichuan cuisine’s love for rich flavors and is a dinner favorite for families celebrating together.
Sichuan Hot Pot - 火锅 (Huǒ Guō) - A bubbling pot filled with spicy broth where diners cook their meats, vegetables, and noodles together. It’s a communal meal best enjoyed on cold evenings, often leading to hours of sharing stories over the table.
Cold Noodle Salad - 凉面 (Liáng Miàn) - Refreshing wheat noodles tossed with cucumber, garlic, vinegar, and chili oil. In summer, locals often have this light dish for lunch, relishing its cooling properties during the hot days.
Dan Dan Noodles - 担担面 (Dàn Dàn Miàn) - Spicy noodles topped with minced pork, sesame paste, and a drizzle of chili oil. The mix of textures makes it a delicious go-to meal, often slurped up during informal dinners after a long day.
By the way, if you’re not familiar with the spice levels, consider asking for a milder version to avoid overpowering your taste buds!
Desserts & Drinks
Tea with Flower Petals - 花茶 (floral tea) - A fragrant blend of green tea infused with dried flower petals, often served hot, it's a tea tradition in many local tea houses. During the afternoon, people gather to sip this aromatic beverage, appreciating its calming effects (just don't expect it to be overly sweet!).Cold Black Sesame Drink - 黑芝麻飲 (chilled sesame beverage) - This creamy, nutty drink is made from ground black sesame blended with water, served ice-cold. Popular among locals during the scorching summer months, it’s often prepared fresh and is a favorite refreshment after a spicy meal.
Baijiu - 白酒 (Chinese distilled liquor) - A strong liquor made from fermented grains, commonly served in small shot glasses. It's typical for locals to enjoy it during celebrations or with friends over a hearty meal; just be aware that it's not for the faint of heart (or the light drinkers!).
Pineapple Bun - 菠蘿包 (sweet pastry) - This soft, sweet bun topped with a crumbly crust resembles a pineapple but has no pineapple inside. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, locals often pair it with a hot cup of tea, and it's best enjoyed fresh from the bakery in the morning when it’s still warm.
Mango Sago - 芒果西米露 (mango dessert) - A refreshing cold dessert made with ripe mangoes, sago pearls, and coconut milk, it’s a delightful treat during the warmer months. Often enjoyed after meals, locals love indulging in this creamy, fruity delight, especially in summer when mangoes are at their sweetest.
By the way, don't forget to ask for less sweetness if you find the desserts too sugary!
Food and Groceries in Chengdu
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.41 |
| Bananas | $1.3 |
| Oranges | $1.57 |
| Potatoes | $0.74 |
| Apples | $2.1 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.55 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.93 |
| Imported Beer | $1.85 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $6.9 |
| Milk 1L | $1.91 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $13.11 |
| Chicken | $3.74 |
| Cigarettes | $2.9 |
| Rice | $1.08 |
| Local Cheese | $11.39 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Lunch hour in Chengdu often begins around 11:30 AM, with bustling local eateries filled, and by noon, it’s a full house. The vibrant noise of conversations and sizzling woks creates a lively backdrop as locals enjoy noodles, rice dishes, or spicy hotpot. At popular dining spots in Jinjiang and Wuhou districts, you can expect to pay between 30 to 70 RMB for a satisfying meal, making it a convenient option for the working crowd.
Chengdu's food scene pulsates with activity, particularly in districts like Kuanzhai Alley and Chunxi Road, where street vendors and restaurants line the streets. Here, you’ll find everything from steaming bowls of beef noodles to skewered meats grilling over charcoal. It's important to note that during lunchtime rush hours, service might be slower as the places are packed, especially on weekdays. Dining around 1 PM can often lead to longer waits (not a surprise when diners spill out onto the streets).
Cashless payments are all the rage here; most establishments accept WeChat Pay and Alipay—two must-have apps for navigating local dining without needing much physical cash. You’ll hardly see any tipping customs as it’s generally not a part of the culture here, so it’s perfectly acceptable to leave without feeling awkward.
One common visitor mistake is trying to order an array of dishes for just one person. Locals often stick to one or two dishes, sharing them with friends or family. This communal style not only enhances the meal experience but also allows for tasting a variety of flavors without overindulging. It’s not unusual to see groups of colleagues sharing a single hotpot, dipping in an array of ingredients.
As the weather changes with the seasons, so do the food preferences here. Chengdu's winter pushes people toward richer, warming meals like spicy hotpot or hearty stews, while summer brings an appetite for lighter fare such as cold noodles or refreshing salads. Prices may fluctuate seasonally, particularly for ingredients in dishes like sweet and sour pork or during spicier Sichuan peppercorn picking season when everything seems to get a bit more flavorful.
If you're dining out during peak hours, be aware that reservations are a good idea for well-regarded establishments in areas like the South City—especially if you aim for a table during the weekend rush. This little preparation can save you a frustrating wait, allowing you to dive straight into the deliciousness that Chengdu has to offer.
Ultimately, Chengdu's culinary tapestry showcases the city's character, steeped in community and flavors that reflect both tradition and innovation. Each meal tells a story, and each bite captures the essence of this vibrant city.
Chengdu's food scene pulsates with activity, particularly in districts like Kuanzhai Alley and Chunxi Road, where street vendors and restaurants line the streets. Here, you’ll find everything from steaming bowls of beef noodles to skewered meats grilling over charcoal. It's important to note that during lunchtime rush hours, service might be slower as the places are packed, especially on weekdays. Dining around 1 PM can often lead to longer waits (not a surprise when diners spill out onto the streets).
Cashless payments are all the rage here; most establishments accept WeChat Pay and Alipay—two must-have apps for navigating local dining without needing much physical cash. You’ll hardly see any tipping customs as it’s generally not a part of the culture here, so it’s perfectly acceptable to leave without feeling awkward.
One common visitor mistake is trying to order an array of dishes for just one person. Locals often stick to one or two dishes, sharing them with friends or family. This communal style not only enhances the meal experience but also allows for tasting a variety of flavors without overindulging. It’s not unusual to see groups of colleagues sharing a single hotpot, dipping in an array of ingredients.
As the weather changes with the seasons, so do the food preferences here. Chengdu's winter pushes people toward richer, warming meals like spicy hotpot or hearty stews, while summer brings an appetite for lighter fare such as cold noodles or refreshing salads. Prices may fluctuate seasonally, particularly for ingredients in dishes like sweet and sour pork or during spicier Sichuan peppercorn picking season when everything seems to get a bit more flavorful.
If you're dining out during peak hours, be aware that reservations are a good idea for well-regarded establishments in areas like the South City—especially if you aim for a table during the weekend rush. This little preparation can save you a frustrating wait, allowing you to dive straight into the deliciousness that Chengdu has to offer.
Ultimately, Chengdu's culinary tapestry showcases the city's character, steeped in community and flavors that reflect both tradition and innovation. Each meal tells a story, and each bite captures the essence of this vibrant city.