Chongqing Dining

Chongqing dining will bring you some information about what to eat and where to eat in Chongqing, including Chongqing dishes, Chongqing snacks, Chongqing restaurants and hotpot restaurants. Chongqing cuisine is based on Bayu regional dishes, is characterized by distinctive taste, and focuses on numb, spicy, fresh, tender and hot. It is widely loved by the public with its varied styles. When you go to Chongqing, it's essential to taste the local food. 

What to Eat in Chongqing

When you come to Chongqing, you will not to be surprised to hear that the Chinese believe in the saying 'People make food their Heaven'. It is seem that people in Chongqing are never weary of eating. Thousands of restaurants are scattered throughout every corner of the city, attracting customers from home and abroad with their different specialties.

Chongqing Hot Pot

Chongqing hot pot is on the first place of the top 10 cultural symbols in Chongqing. It originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, when the boatmen invented it to ward off the cold. Then, it became popular all over the country, and an essential delicacy for the Chongqing locals. The authentic Chongqing hotpot is the "Squared Up(九宫格)" (there are nine compartments in the pot), which is mainly featuring chilies, Sichuan peppercorns and beef tallow.

Hotpot Soup

Once you enter the hotpot restaurant, the servers will ask you "What kind of hotpot soup do you want?" Usually, people in Chongqing serve red soup(red oil/spicy soup) directly, which is pure spicy. Most of Chongqing hotpot restaurants serve the red soup freely. If you can't eat spicy food, you can order clear soup or two-flavor hotpot soup(that is, half spicy and half clear soup), but it is charged, ranging 15-40 yuan.

Condiments & Dipping

The dipping sauce of Chongqing hot pot is different from the sesame sauce in the north. Chongqing's condiments and dipping are mixed with sesame oil, mashed garlic and vinegar.

Taking Orders

Must-order dishes: cattle stomach, duck intestines, marbled meat slices, tender beef slices, crispy meat, eel, Huanghou(黄喉), pork luncheon meat, Corydoras, blood curd, water spinach, etc. 

Hot and Sour Rice Noodle

Chongqing hot and sour rice noodle is a popular local traditional snack in Chongqing. It is pure natural green food, and because of the unique taste and appetizing feature, it has been loved by Chongqing people for a long time. Its characteristics are "numb, spicy, fresh, fragrant, sour and oil but not greasy".

Chongqing Spicy Noodles

Chongqing spicy noodles, one of the four characteristics of Chongqing, belong to a category of Chongqing noodles. It is a traditional snack originated from Chongqing. Chongqing spicy noodle is a general name, it can be divided into many kinds, and the common types are vegetable noodle, noodles with fried bean and meat sauce and beef noodle. It's best to clarify with the owner whether you want red or clear soup before ordering. Generally speaking, Chongqing noodles are oily and spicy, usually 5-15 yuan per bowl. 

Chongqing Chaoshou(重庆抄手)

Chaoshou(抄手) is a name called in Sichuan and Chongqing, similar to wontons, but bigger, with a thicker skin and a fuller filling. The price is usually 10-15 yuan a bowl. The shape of Chaoshou is similar to gold ingot. The taste is smooth and delicate. It is often served with red oil soup-stock and green vegetables, and is one of the foods loved by Chongqing people. 

Chicken Giblets(重庆鸡杂)

Chicken Giblets is a very popular dish in Chongqing, people who travel Ciqikou, often go to eat the chicken giblets. Chicken giblets is fried chicken hearts, chicken liver and chicken intestine with chili. Most chicken giblets shops are concentrated in the river area of Ciqikou, shopkeepers often tout for tourists in front of their doors. It is usually divided into small, medium and large pot (you can choose not to add chicken liver), and the price is 45-70 yuan.

Tofu Pudding

Tofu pudding/Douhua is one of the most popular dishes in Chongqing. So-called tofu pudding, it is a bean product a bit softer than bean curd. The variety of tofu pudding is various, generally divided into vegetable Douhua and meat Douhua, which are dipped in seasoning to eat, and taste slant spicy.

Chongqing Style Boiled Blood Curd(毛血旺)

Duck Blood in Chili Sauce, a famous dish in Sichuan and Chongqing, originated from Ciqikou in Chongqing. In the spicy and fragrant soup, duck blood, Huanghou, tripes, squid, sliced beef and other meat dishes, as well as potatoes, lotus root slices, agaric, skin of beancurd, bean sprouts and other vegetables, gathered into a hodgepodge. The price is usually 30 yuan. 

Nanshan Spring Chicken

Chongqing spring chicken, a delicious dish in Chongqing's Nanan district, integrates the fresh, fragrant, spicy, hot and tender. Legend has it that an ordinary shopkeeper in Chongqing Nanshan, discussed with tourists about the way to make chicken dishes. He washed the chicken with his own spring water, cut it into pieces and added special spicy ingredients unique to Chongqing, then stewed it with spring water. Once introduced, it is famous for its unique ingredient, tasty and refreshing. Chongqing Nanshan is famous for its spring chicken street, and the Nanan District government of Chongqing even launches spring chicken cultural festival every year to provide diners with a feast for the eyes and mouth. 

Peppery Chicken

The peppery chicken originated from a roadside shop in Chongqing Geleshan. It is made of fresh chicken nugget, frying the chicken after marinating, then adding dry chili and Sichuan pepper, and stir fry them together. Spicy chicken pays more attention to chilies than chicken, and the search for chicken in the chilli has also become a prominent feature of the dish.

Poached Fish in Chili Oil(水煮鱼)

Boiled fish is a common dish on tables all over the country, but it first became popular in Yubei district of Chongqing. In order to ensure the fresh flavor of fish, the fish is selected, killed and made into dish on the spot, according to the different types of fish, the price ranges 30-150 yuan/catty. Generally, small fish also have more than 2 catty. The white fish is soaked in hot red oil, and you have to remove a layer of chilies to see it. People who don't eat spicy food don't have to worry. In addition to the traditional boiled fish with red oil, the new boiled fish with pickled cabbage or tomato is also delicious.

Where to Eat in Chongqing

The snack of Chongqing is mostly concentrated in the Jiefangbei, Hongya cave and Ciqikou. With convenient transportation and a variety of Chongqing snacks, tourists like to eat in these places. When going to see the nigh scene at Nanshan Yikeshu(南山一棵树), you can dine at Nanshan Spring Chicken Street on the way. Local people prefer to go to Guanyinqiao pedestrian street to eat snacks, or drive to Nanbin road, with good scenery and beautiful night view. 

Popular Food Streets in Chongqing

• Bayi Road Haochi Street(八一路好吃街)
  Address: No.176, Bayi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区八一路176号
  Tel: 13308350760 
  Brief Introductions: Haochi street is located in the Bayi road of Jiefangbei, where numerous snacks with Chongqing characteristics gather. The food street nearest to Jiefangbei is the first stop for eating chongqing snacks, and there is an underground snack city as well. 
• Hongya Cave Exotic Food Street(洪崖洞异域美食街)
  Address: No.88, Jiabin Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区嘉滨路88号
  Brief Introduction: This is an exotic food street with Chongqing snacks, western restaurants and exotic bars, which are more expensive than other food streets.
• Ciqikou Food Street(磁器口美食街)
  Address: The Intersection of Citong Road and Tongjiaqiao Central Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing重庆市沙坪坝区磁童路与童家桥正街交叉口
  Brief Introduction: This is a good place to pick local specialties for outsiders in Chongqing. Almost all the specialties can be found here. There are a lot of snacks and specialty, especially fried dough twist and chicken giblets, suitable for eating and strolling all the way.
• Nanshan Spring Chicken Street(南山泉水鸡一条街)
  Address: No.204, Chongwen Road, Nanan Dsirtict, Chongqing重庆市南岸区崇文路204号
  Brief Introduction: It is a food street where Chongqing spring chicken is the most concentrated. When you get to Chongqing, you have to eat spring chicken, but the most famous spring chicken is on Nanshan Spring Chicken Street. The streets are full of agritainments where you can eat spring chicken. 
• Nanbin Road Food Street(南滨路美食街)
  Address: Nanbin Road, Nanan District, Chongqing重庆南岸区南滨路
  Brief Introduction: Nanbin road food street is Nanbin road first avenue, a wide and straight road, there are a lot of restaurants are chongqing's old shops, famous shops, and a lot of food stalls. On this food street along the Yangtze river, you can enjoy the beautiful river scenery and night view when dining, and accordingly, the overall consumption is higher. 

Hot Pot Restaurants in Chongqing 

Hot pot restaurants in Chongqing can be found everywhere. According to popular word of mouth, well-known chain brands are Pei Jie, Dezhuang, Qin Ma, Jiyi Laozao and cygnet, the old hot pot shops including Dalong, Xiaoyu, Dongting, Dengji Mangzi and Zhushi Pangzi are come out top, and the new style theme hot pot restaurants including Daduizhang, Liu Yi Shou and Chao Tian Men have good evaluation. 

• Peijie Hot Pot(珮姐老火锅)
  Add:No.51, Minquan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区民权路51号
  Tel: 023-63806383
• Dezhuang Hot Pot(德庄火锅)
  Add: No.174, Changjiang Second Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区长江二路174号
  Tel: 023-68590075/13983872747
• Qin Ma Hot Pot(秦妈火锅)
  Add: No.29, Xiaolongkan New Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing重庆市沙坪坝区小龙坎新街29号
  Tel: 023-65001592
• Jiyi Laozao Hot Pot(记忆老灶)
  Add: No.19, Daping Central Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区大坪正街19号
  Tel: 023-63840521
• Chongqing Cygnet(重庆小天鹅)
  Add: No.37, Zhiyanhe Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区纸盐河街37号
  Tel: 023-63039901/023-63039958
• Zhushi Pangzi Hot Pot(朱氏胖子烂火锅)
  Add: No.6, Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区临江路6号
  Tel: 023-63839678
• Dengji Mangzi Hot Pot(邓记莽子老火锅)
  Add: No.7, Luzu Temple, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区鲁祖庙7号
  Tel: 023-63737884
• Dalong Hot Pot(大龙老火锅)
  Add: Donghu South Road, Yubei District, Chongqing重庆市渝北区东湖南路
  Tel: 023-67648335
• Daduizhang Theme Hot Pot(大队长主题火锅)
  Add: No.65, Nanping West Road, Nanan District, Chongqing重庆市南岸区南坪西路65号
  Tel: 023-62957508/023-62957504
• Liu Yi Shou Hot Pot(重庆刘一手心火锅)
  Add: No.2, Western Ring Road, Guanyinqiao, Jiangbei District, Chongqing重庆市江北区观音桥西环路2号
  Tel: 023-67564706/023-67990033
• Chao Tian Men(朝天门)
  Add: No.46, Cangbai Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区沧白路46号
  Tel: 023-63602300
• Chongqing Chao Hot Pot(潮火锅)
  Add: B1 Floor of Yonghui Supermarket, Jiangbei District, Chongqing重庆市江北区永辉超市B1层
  Tel: 17308362736

Chongqing Cuisine Restaurants 

Chongqing cuisine, which belongs to a branch of Sichuan cuisine, has the characteristics of spicy, hot, sour and fragrant, especially spicy and hot. When travelling in Chongqing, after eating Hot Pot, you can't miss a meal of authentic local cuisine. 

• Tao Ran Ju(陶然居)
  Add: No.66, Nanbin Road, Nanan District, Chongqing重庆市南岸区南滨路66号
  Tel: 023-66011222/023-89023118
• Yuxin Sichuan Dish(渝信川菜)
  Add: No.16, Nanbin Road First Avenue, Nanan District, Chongqing重庆市南岸区南滨路第一大道16号
  Tel: 023-62822088/023-62825899
• Waipo Qiao(外婆桥)
  Add: No.68, Zourong Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区邹容路68号
  Tel: 18696555083
• Shunfeng 123(顺风123)
  Add: Yugao Square, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing重庆市九龙坡区渝高广场
  Tel: 023-68623123
• Li Zi Ba(李子坝)
  Add: No.1000, Minan Avenue, Yubei District, Chongqing重庆市渝北区民安大道1000号
  Tel: 15923534509
• Xiao Bin Lou(小滨楼)
  Add: No.3, Jianxin North Road First Branch Road, Jiangbei District, Chongqing重庆市江北区建新北路一支路3号
  Tel: 023-88711667
• Pozima Private Restaurant(婆子妈私家菜餐厅)
  Add: No.6, Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street, Jiangbei District, Chongqing重庆市江北区观音桥步行街6号
  Tel: 023-67708626
• Yangji Longfu(杨记隆府)
  Add: Xingsheng Road, Yangjiaping Pedestrian Street, JIulongpo District, Chongqing重庆市九龙坡区杨家坪步行街兴盛路
  Tel: 023-67308199/023-67393199
• Cong Qian Man Sichuan Cuisine(旧识从前慢·川菜小酒馆)
  Add: Wuyi Road, Jiefangbei, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区解放碑五一路
  Tel: 023-63104987/18323483140
• Shengtian Maoxuewang(盛天毛血旺)
  Add: No.7, Qingnian Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区青年路7号
  Tel: 023-63711119/15334562057

Dining Guild Halls in Chongqing

• Chongqing Guild Halls(重庆会馆)
  Add: No.162, Xinnan Road, Yubei District, Chongqing重庆市渝北区新南路162号
  Tel: 023-66032222/023-65692222
• Shaanxi Guild Halls(陕西会馆)
  Add: No.108, Zourong Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区邹容路108号
  Tel: 023-63669936
• Yutu Guild Halls(于涂会馆)
  Add: No.88, Jinkai Avenue, Yubei District, Chongqing重庆市渝北区金开大道88号
  Tel: 023-68827666
• Ancient Sichuan Food Hall(古川菜馆)
  Add: No.4, Dongshuimen Central Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区东水门正街4号
  Tel: 023-63656661

Other Gourmet Shops in Chongqing

• Chongqing Famous Snack Town(重庆名小吃城)
  Add: Bayi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区八一路
  Tel: 15025470960/18623066058
• Haoyoulai Hot and Sour Rice Noodle(好又来招牌酸辣粉)
  Add: Haochi Street, Jiefangbei Bayi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区解放碑八一路好吃街
  Tel: 4000232628
• Shibati Yanjing Noodle(十八梯眼镜面)
  Add: No.171, Jiefang West Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区解放西路171号
  Tel: 023-63917824
• Huashi Wanza Noodle(花市豌杂面)
  Add: No.9, Minsheng Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区民生路9号
  Tel: 15723236511/13594102453
• Chen Changyin Fried Dough Twist(陈昌银麻花)
  Add: No.58, Ciqikou Central Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing重庆市沙坪坝区磁器口正街58号
  Tel: 023-65476536
• Zhang Douhua(张豆花)
  Add: No.80, Beixia Road, Beibei District, Chongqing重庆市北碚区碚峡路80号
  Tel: 023-68284617
• Laoma Chaoshou(佬麻抄手)
  Add: No.88, Jiabin Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区嘉滨路88号
  Tel: 15213179062
• Laoyao Spring Chicken(重庆老幺泉水鸡)
  Add: No.247, Chongwen Road, Nanan District, Chongqing重庆市南岸区崇文路247号
  Tel: 023-62465723
• Linzhongle Restaurant(林中乐饭店)
  Add: No.199, Oujiawan She, Gele Mountain, Shapingba District, Chongqing重庆市沙坪坝区歌乐山欧家湾舍199号
  Tel: 023-65503858 18983779888
• Maozhuang Ancient Town Chicken Giblet(茂庄古镇鸡杂)
  Address: No.78, Ciqikou Central Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing重庆市沙坪坝区磁器口正街78号
  Tel: 023-65011261/13368226531