In Bizarre Foods Chengdu, part of the Delicious Destinations series featuring Andrew Zimmern, the host and his crew visited numerous restaurants in the city, showcasing a variety of unique and delicious dishes. Here is a convenient list of all the addresses and dishes highlighted in this exciting exploration of Chengdu’s food scene.
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DISH – Hot Pot
WHAT IS IT?
Hot pot, also referred to as steamboat, is prepared with simmering broth with oil, Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers in a pot. Ginger and stock from pork ribs and fish are then added to complete the broth. Meat, seafood, mushrooms, vegetables and dumplings are typically added into the hot pot. A sesame-oil based sauce – usually made from a buffet by the eaters themselves – typically accompanies the hot pot meal to balance the spiciness.
WHERE IS IT?
Shujiuxiang Hot Pot Restaurant
Renmin South Road South Extension Line Leisure Catering Yitiao Street, Wuhou
Chengdu, China
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Chengdu
At Shujiuxiang Hot Pot, a divider is placed in the pot to keep food elements separated while cooking. Local favorites include tripe, fish, marinated beef and pea shoots.
DISH – Mapo Tofu
WHAT IS IT?
Mapo doufu or mapo tofu is a popular Sichuan dish of cubed tofu served in a spicy sauce of minced beef and fermented soy bean and chili paste (douban). It can be served with a side of rice.
WHERE IS IT?
Chen Mapo Tofu Restaurant
197 W Yulong St, Luomashi, Qingyang
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Chengdu
In Chengdu, Chen Mapo Tofu is known to be the original mapo tofu restaurant.
DISH – Kung Pao Chicken – Andrew Zimmern Chengdu
WHAT IS IT?
Kung Pao chicken is a Sichuan dish of stir-fried chicken, chili pepper, Sichuan peppercorns, vegetables, crunchy peanuts and spicy sauce. It features the 7 flavors of Sichuan cuisine: sour, pungent, hot, sweet, bitter, aromatic, and salty.
WHERE IS IT?
Taolin Restaurant
No.69-1 Dongsheng Street
Chengdu, China
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Chengdu
At Taolin, Kung Pao chicken is stir-fried using the “velveting” technique to make the meat silky and tender.
DISH – Twice-Cooked Pork – Andrew Zimmern Chengdu
WHAT IS IT?
This Sichuan-style dish starts with boiled pork which is then sliced before being stir-fried. Vegetables are then added into the stir-fried pork, along with spicy sauce.
WHERE IS IT?
Taolin Restaurant
No.69-1 Dongsheng Street
Chengdu, China
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Chengdu
Twice-cooked pork at Taolin is stir-fried into broad bean chili paste, some sugar, and green shallots.
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DISH – Tea-Smoked Duck – Delicious Destinations Chengdu
WHAT IS IT?
This quintessential Sichuan dish is prepared through smoking marinated duck using tea and camphor leaves.
WHERE IS IT?
Nantang Restaurant
88 Fucheng Ave., Middle Section (at 9 Square)
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Chengdu
Tea-smoked duck at Nantang is specially prepared through using ducks from the northern portion of the Yangtze River. Duck is marinated for 12 hours, boiled briefly with ginger leaves and cooking wine, and smoked using camphor tree leaves, peanut shells, camphor wood and jasmine tea leaves, before being finished in a deep fryer.
While in Chengdu, you can go on a cruise of the Yangtze River. Blogger at Large gives you a preview at what you’ll see on a Yangtze River cruise!
DISH – Dan Dan Noodles – Bizarre Foods Delicious Destinations Chengdu
WHAT IS IT?
Dan dan noodles (dandanmian) is a Sichuan noodle dish made with wheat noodles, fiery chili sauce, and topped with seasoned ground pork. It is said that the red chili oil is the soul of the dan dan noodles.
WHERE IS IT?
Xiaomingtang Dandantian Shuimian
1 Jiangjun St, Luomashi, Qingyang
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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NOTES – Bizarre Foods Delicious Destinations Chengdu
Xiaomingtang is popular for its authentic dan dan noodles and serves about 1500 orders each day.
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