VX Hotel Chengdu Shuangliu Airport Sainawei

The high-end Chaimen Hui goes for an understated luxurious vibe throughout. Creative Sichuanese fare dominates the menu, courtesy of top-notch, seasonal ingredients from around the world that highlight the natural umami and layers of flavour; many dishes can be ordered in individual portions. Their ji dou hua, or minced chicken silken tofu in amber-coloured broth, boasts velvety texture and intense umami. Private rooms available for a fee.

The owner’s collection of souvenirs from her trips around the world gives this spacious dining room an endearing quirkiness. Her wanderlust also translates into her quest for quality ingredients from around the globe, to be cooked in an authentic Sichuanese style. Roast pigeon smoked with Sichuan pepper leaves is simply unmissable. Cold appetisers like lamp-shadow sliced grass carp are also well made. You can opt for half portion for some dishes.

Serving noodles and a few sides during the day, and a menu of home-style dishes at dinner, this shop invites diners to slow down and mindfully savour the clean, simple flavours. Noodles are chosen to match the taste profiles and consistencies of various sauces; the signature Sichuan pepper ground pork sauce is paired with thick noodles. Complimentary laoyin (laurel) tea cuts through the richness; the freshly wrapped wontons and shaomai are also worth trying.

The playful, vintage décor with fake tree trunks and red lanterns is aptly matched by a menu disguised as a martial arts instruction book. In addition to famous Sichuanese wok-fried dishes such as green chilli ‘ruthless’ chicken and braised swamp eel, we also recommend the daily specials up on the whiteboard. Seasonal offerings like bitter bamboo shoot and milk cap mushroom are worth a try. Inevitably packed to the seams, book ahead and arrive early.

You can't miss this shop – just look for the red lanterns, perforated wood windows… and the queue. Since 1985, it's been serving home-style Sichuanese dishes made the traditional way: stir-frying, steaming and shuizhu. The braised eel with eggplant has contrasting textures and the savvy use of Chinese patchouli elevates it to the next level. For non-spicy food lovers, the sticky rice pork ribs and meatball soup are both great choices.

After a recent renovation, the main dining room is bright and airy and private rooms can cater to different party sizes. The signature braised fish in spicy bean sauce is made with the river fish of your choice, like longsnout catfish, marble goby or topmouth culter. The rabbit cubes in guaiwei sauce are skin-on, boasting a silky texture and a fine balance between savoury, sweet and sour notes, alongside aromas and numbing spiciness.

This household name located in the old city has been around since 1999. The second-generation owner and the all-Sichuanese team continue to feed diners authentic home-style Sichuan cooking like in the old days. The signature spicy mandarin fish uses a herbal chilli mix with exceptional heat and depth and the fish is flown in daily from Guangdong. The quick-fried pork tripe tip (limited availability) is uniquely satisfying thanks to its springy texture.