Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Chongqing, China
1. Spicy Hot Pot (Chongqing Style)
A popular dish where you cook raw ingredients in a bubbling pot of spicy broth. The unique blend of Sichuan pepper and chili gives it an unforgettable numbing and spicy flavor.
- Authentic Taste: Experience the authentic Chongqing hot pot flavor, different from other regions.
- Customizable: Choose your own ingredients according to personal preference.
- Social Experience: Enjoy the dish with friends or family for a shared dining experience.
2. Kung Pao Chicken
A stir-fried dish featuring cubed chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and Sichuan pepper. The main characteristic is its spicy, sweet, and savory flavor.
- Spiciness Level: Adjust the level of spiciness according to your preference.
- Unique Texture: Enjoy the combination of tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and fresh vegetables.
- Historical Background: Taste a dish with roots in the Qing dynasty.
3. Twice-Cooked Pork (Chongqing Style)
A pork dish cooked twice: first boiled and then stir-fried with vegetables. The unique texture comes from the alternating soft and crispy layers.
- Crispy Texture: Savor the contrasting textures in each bite.
- Flavorful Sauce: Enjoy the savory and tangy sauce.
- Economical Choice: Experience a delicious dish at an affordable price.
4. Chongqing Noodles (Mian Shiang Qie)
A bowl of spicy noodle soup with unique flat, thin noodles and toppings like pickled vegetables, minced meat, and chili oil.
- Sour and Spicy Flavor: Experience the distinctive sour and spicy taste.
- Unique Noodles: Enjoy the unique flat, thin noodles that are typically used in this dish.
- Street Food Experience: Savor the dish at a local street food vendor.
5. Three-Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)
Chicken cooked in a sweet and savory sauce made with Sichuan pepper, garlic, and ginger. The dish gets its name from the three ingredients in the sauce.
- Fragrant Aroma: Enjoy the inviting aroma as you approach the dish.
- Tender Chicken: Savor tender, succulent chicken pieces.
- Versatile Recipe: Adapt the recipe by using different parts of the chicken or adjusting the spiciness level.
6. Mapo Tofu
A dish made with soft tofu and minced meat in a thick, spicy sauce. The unique texture of the tofu complements the savory and spicy flavors.
- Spiciness Level: Adjust the level of spiciness according to your preference.
- Silky Tofu: Enjoy the silky texture of the tofu.
- Historical Background: Taste a dish with origins in the Qing dynasty.
7. Chongqing Rice Noodles (Shu Mian)
A bowl of savory rice noodles with various toppings like pickled vegetables, minced pork, and chili oil.
- Versatile Toppings: Customize your dish with a variety of toppings.
- Chewy Texture: Enjoy the chewy texture of the rice noodles.
- Affordable Price: Experience a delicious meal at an affordable price.
8. Chongqing Spicy Fish
Fresh fish cooked in a pot of spicy broth with vegetables and Sichuan pepper. The unique numbing sensation from the pepper makes it a must-try dish.
- Unique Taste: Experience the distinctive flavor from the combination of spicy, sour, and salty elements.
- Fresh Fish Quality: Savor the freshness of the fish used in this dish.
- Authentic Experience: Experience an authentic Chongqing dining tradition.
9. Chongqing Cold Noodles (Liang Mian)
A dish of cold noodles served with a spicy sauce and toppings like cucumber, pickled vegetables, and chili oil.
- Cooling Effect: Enjoy the cooling effect of the cold noodles on a hot day.
- Versatile Toppings: Customize your dish with various toppings.
- Refreshing Flavor: Experience the refreshing flavor of this popular summer dish.
10. Sour and Spicy Fish Soup (Suan La Yu Tang)
A hearty fish soup with a sour and spicy broth. The unique flavor is achieved by using vinegar and various spices.
- Unique Flavor: Experience the distinctive sour and spicy taste.
- Fresh Fish Quality: Savor the freshness of the fish used in this dish.
- Warming Effect: Enjoy the warming effect of this soup on a cold day.
11. Chongqing Stewed Pork (Shui Zhu Yu)
A dish made by stewing pork in soy sauce and various spices for hours. The tender and flavorful pork is served over rice.
- Tender Meat: Savor the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the pork.
- Flavorful Sauce: Enjoy the savory and aromatic sauce.
- Long Cooking Time: Experience a dish with a long cooking tradition.
12. Chongqing Steamed Bun (Shu Bao)
A steamed bun filled with minced pork and vegetables. The unique texture comes from the combination of soft bun dough and the savory filling.
- Unique Texture: Enjoy the contrasting textures in each bite.
- Versatile Filling: Try different fillings like meat, vegetables, or seafood.
- Street Food Experience: Savor the dish at a local street food vendor.
13. Chongqing Sesame Bun (Hei Mi Bao)
A sesame-coated bun filled with sweet red bean paste. The unique texture comes from the crispy exterior and soft interior.
- Crispy Texture: Enjoy the contrasting textures in each bite.
- Sweet Flavor: Satisfy your sweet tooth with this dessert.
- Street Food Experience: Savor the dish at a local street food vendor.
14. Chongqing Jiaozi (Dumplings)
A dumpling made with thin dough wrappers and filled with minced pork, vegetables, and various spices. The unique flavor comes from the combination of ingredients.
- Unique Flavor: Experience the distinctive flavor from the combination of ingredients.
- Versatile Filling: Try different fillings like meat, vegetables, or seafood.
- Steam or Boil: Choose whether to steam or boil the dumplings according to your preference.
15. Chongqing Pickled Vegetables (Suan Cai)
A variety of vegetables pickled in vinegar and spices. The unique flavor is tangy, sour, and slightly spicy.
- Unique Flavor: Experience the distinctive flavor from the combination of tangy, sour, and spicy elements.
- Versatile Usage: Use pickled vegetables as a topping for various dishes or enjoy them on their own.
- Preservation Method: Learn about the traditional Chinese preservation method of pickling.