We're Either Eating Snacks, or on Our Way to Eat Snacks — A Complete Record of Our Chengdu Food Journey

Meta Description: Discover the ultimate Chengdu food journey with our complete guide to iconic snacks, hidden gems, and local favorites. From pork trotter soup to tea house culture, plan your perfect Sichuan culinary adventure.

Introduction: A Long-Planned Pilgrimage for the Taste Buds

As a Sichuan native who has spent years living away from home, returning to Sichuan every year has become an unshakable ritual for me. And Chengdu, besides the city I currently live in, is probably the place I know best — familiar accents, familiar snacks, familiar warmth of everyday life.

But this time was different. Because this time, I was bringing him back with me.

My boyfriend — an "outsider" with an almost obsessive fascination for Chengdu. Ever since high school, when he finished reading Chengdu, Please Don't Forget Me Tonight, he had planted a seed of longing for this city. Before going abroad, he planned to visit his high school classmate who was studying in Chengdu. After leaving the country, he forged an unbreakable six-year connection with the people of Chengdu. He said that for the entire six years he spent overseas, he kept returning to Chengdu in his dreams.

So, when our long-distance relationship finally came to an end, we decided to make Chengdu his first stop after returning to China — and the starting point for our "stick together until we're sick of each other" phase of romance.

[Link: Best time to visit Chengdu for food lovers]

Pre-Trip Madness: Two Months of "Stabbing the Hornet's Nest" on Mafengwo

In the month before my boyfriend returned to China, we were like two people on an adrenaline rush, diving headfirst into frantic trip planning. Every day, I was responsible for scouring information during the day, and when he got home from work, we'd sit down together to organize, discuss, and filter every single destination. His former roommate in Chengdu also pitched in, using an iPad to mark all our chosen spots on a map with pins.

My boyfriend joked that this was the most serious "homework" he'd done in six years. The entire itinerary went through countless revisions and was finally completed a week before his return. At the same time, we booked our accommodation in advance — everything was progressing smoothly according to plan.

[Link: How to plan a food-focused trip to Chengdu]

Accommodation Insights: Pear Blossom Street — Peace Amidst the Bustle

I arrived in Chengdu a day early to get the accommodation sorted. Here are some thoughts on booking a place:

When traveling, convenient transportation is the top priority. Based on our itinerary, hotels near Tianfu Square became our first choice. My boyfriend is a big guy — a "high-emission" individual, as I like to call him — so a 1.8-meter king-size bed was a non-negotiable necessity. We scoured countless recommendations on Mafengwo, searching high and low, but we kept running into issues: either no king-size rooms were available, they were fully booked, or the places had been open too long and we worried about outdated facilities.

Finally, by sheer luck, we booked a room at a hotel located in Building A, City Ideal, No. 18 Pear Blossom Street, Qingyang District. When I arrived, I was a bit worried — so close to Tianfu Square, wouldn't it be noisy? But it turned out to be a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city. Located on the 16th floor, we couldn't hear any street noise at all. Plus, it was a newly opened hotel (there was still a faint smell of renovation when we checked in), so all the equipment was brand new. The bathroom pipes didn't have any of those unsightly rust stains that make you uncomfortable.

The only minor downside was that it wasn't easy to find a place to hang laundry, and the room didn't have a washing machine — we'd have to go to the office area to do laundry. But these were trivial issues that we could easily overlook.

[Link: Best hotels near Tianfu Square for food travelers]

Day One: Happiness Starting with a Bowl of Pork Trotter Soup

The day before had been drizzly and overcast, but on the day my boyfriend arrived, Chengdu was unusually sunny — as if it had made a special effort to welcome him.

He arrived at noon, and by the time we got back to the hotel and settled in, it was almost 1 PM. I quickly urged him to take a shower, and then we couldn't wait any longer to kick off our "eating and drinking adventure."

Lao Ma Pork Trotter (老妈蹄花总店): First Bite, Taste Buds Conquered

Our first stop was "Lao Ma Pork Trotter Main Restaurant" across from People's Park. It was about a 25-minute walk from the hotel — just enough time to soak in the street atmosphere of Chengdu along the way.

On the road, we ran into an incredibly cute kitten. Unfortunately, no matter how much we tried to coax it, it refused to look up — probably annoyed that we'd disturbed its afternoon nap.

When we got to the restaurant, the legendary pork trotter soup finally arrived at our table. The broth was clear and light, with only pig trotters and some broad beans in the bowl. With a gentle nudge of the chopsticks, the entire trotter fell apart — no need to use your hands or teeth to tear at it like you would with braised trotters. The soup had been simmered to a milky white, with a light, smooth, and non-greasy flavor — a rare non-spicy dish in Sichuan. Plus, pork trotters are rich in collagen, great for women looking to beautify their skin.

Along with the soup came a small dipping dish — a mix of fermented bean paste, chopped green onions, and chili. For outsiders not used to eating chili, it might be a bit intense, but this is the soul of Sichuan cuisine. As a Sichuan native, I was perfectly fine with it. My boyfriend, though he can handle spicy food, found the trotter soup a bit bland. In the end, he just poured the entire dipping sauce into the soup and drank it... All I can say is, different species, different tastes — live and let live.

One thing to note: the other stir-fried dishes at this restaurant are just average. My advice is to only order the trotters.

[Link: Must-try Chengdu street food for first-timers]

People's Park: A Great Place to Walk Off the Meal

After finishing the trotters, we strolled through the main gate of People's Park. Inside, there was a rather imposing monument. We also came across a fun little game — my boyfriend said he hadn't seen one in ages and insisted on playing. I spun a butterfly; as for what he spun, I'll leave that to your imagination.

The liveliest part of the park was a group of middle-aged men singing, waving their arms and getting fully into it. There was also a group of elderly gentlemen practicing calligraphy on the square. The quality of their writing was so good that I'd be lucky to be half as skilled as them.

[Link: Top things to do in People's Park, Chengdu]

He Ming Tea House (鹤鸣茶社): The Most Authentic Slow Life in Chengdu

Finally, we arrived at the legendary "He Ming Tea House." Before entering, we paid our respects to Lord Guan — a figurine made from dough, a craft I hadn't seen in a long time.

The massive tea house was packed to the brim, with business booming. We ordered jasmine tea. Since it was a weekend and there were too many customers, they'd run out of proper teacups, so the staff gave us two completely mismatched cups for our tea. Still, the jasmine tea itself was quite good.

Having some tea after a meal to cut through the grease and freshen your breath — it doesn't get much more comfortable than that. My boyfriend said it was the first time in two or three years that he'd had the luxury of someone cleaning his ears. The ear-cleaning master first used a long bamboo ear pick to clean, then inserted a fluffy ball deep into the ear, struck a tuning fork, and used the vibrations to clean the ear canal. After a few rounds, it was thoroughly done. So much so that after we returned to our permanent residence, we kept talking about this ear-cleaning method.

[Link: Traditional tea houses in Chengdu worth visiting]

Tianzhu Church Chicken Slices (天主堂鸡片): Supplies for the Next Day at Happy Valley

After leaving the tea house, we went back to the hotel to rest for a bit. Since we were planning to go to Happy Valley the next day, we needed to stock up on some snacks. My boyfriend's roommate (a true Chengdu local) recommended "Tianzhu Church Chicken Slices," located near the intersection of Hongxing Road Section 4 and Longwangmiao.

[Link: Best takeaway snacks for a day at Chengdu Happy Valley]

FAQ: Your Chengdu Food Journey Questions Answered

Q1: What is the best time of year to visit Chengdu for food? A: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer the most comfortable weather for exploring Chengdu's food scene. Avoid summer if you're sensitive to heat and humidity, as many street food stalls operate outdoors.

Q2: Is Chengdu food too spicy for beginners? A: Not necessarily! While Sichuan cuisine is famous for its heat, many dishes like pork trotter soup, dan dan noodles (without chili oil), and steamed buns are mild. You can always request "less spicy" (少辣, shǎo là) at most restaurants.

Q3: How much does a typical food tour in Chengdu cost? A: Street food snacks range from ¥5-20 each, while a sit-down meal at a local restaurant costs ¥30-80 per person. Budget around ¥150-200 per day for a satisfying food experience.

Q4: What are the must-try dishes in Chengdu besides hotpot? A: Don't miss mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, twice-cooked pork, dan dan noodles, and of course, the iconic pork trotter soup we tried at Lao Ma.

Q5: How do I find authentic local food spots in Chengdu? A: Use apps like Dianping (大众点评) for reviews, ask locals for recommendations, and look for places with long queues — a sure sign of quality. Avoid tourist-heavy areas near major attractions.

Final Thoughts: Your Chengdu Food Adventure Awaits

Our Chengdu food journey was more than just a trip — it was a pilgrimage for the taste buds, a celebration of love, and a rediscovery of the city's soul through its food. From the comforting warmth of pork trotter soup to the leisurely pace of tea house culture, every bite and every moment reminded us why Chengdu is considered one of China's greatest food capitals.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, Chengdu's food scene offers endless discoveries. The key is to plan ahead, embrace the local culture, and most importantly — come hungry.

Ready to start your own Chengdu food journey? Book your trip today and experience the flavors that have captivated travelers for centuries. Share your favorite Chengdu food finds in the comments below, and don't forget to pin this guide for your next adventure!

[Link: Complete Chengdu travel guide for food lovers] [Link: Best apps for finding food in Chengdu] [Link: How to eat like a local in Sichuan]

Have you visited Chengdu for its food? What was your favorite dish? Let us know in the comments!