锦江之星 成都体育大学

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.

This low-key private dining concept can dispense with signage. The owner-chef Lan Guijun is a local legend who raised Sichuanese cooking to the level of haute cuisine, so foodies always find their way here. The quaint rustic room is dotted with ceramic art and pottery made by the chef himself. The dishes of the elaborate, multi-course set menus depend on market availability, but you can specify food allergies when booking.

For over 20 years, this no-frills restaurant has had a single item on the menu – authentic Chengdu hotpot. Diners have never get bored because of the 18 soup bases and the stunning variety of dipping sauces, meat, offal, and sea and river fish on offer. Don’t miss the pencil-width strips of crisp, juicy Emei eel. The mala soup base is infused with Chinese herbs, perfect for blanching celtuce or pork cracklings. Their appetisers and snacks also hit the spot every time.

Mapo tofu is a world-famous Sichuanese classic dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Word has it that this century-old shop is the true original source of this numbing, spicy dish, invented by Lady Chen. Silky tofu, ground beef and spices are cooked in a stone pot that stays hot for a long time, perfect with a bowl of steamed rice. Zhong dumplings and lotus leaf-wrapped steamed pork in spiced rice flour are also worth trying.

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.

Privacy is a priority here and the tables are separated by wooden slatted partitions - private rooms also available. The veteran kitchen team specialises in traditional Sichuanese dishes, many of which require painstaking execution. The sautéed pork liver with chilli is perfectly cooked with just the right amount of numbing heat. The classic cold appetiser, fu qi fei pian or sliced beef offal in chili oil, is springy, flavourful and addictive.

中餐