Spicy Street Food in Chengdu — What to Try & How to Order
Chengdu is the capital of málà flavor—má (麻, numbing from Sichuan peppercorn) plus là (辣, chili heat). From skewers to noodles, the city’s street food scene is perfect for adventurous au pairs and students. Use this guide to discover classic dishes, manage heat levels, order like a local, and eat safely.
Top Spicy Street Foods to Try
Chuànchuàn (串串) — Skewers in spicy broth/oil
- Pick sticks of meat, tofu, and veggies; cooked in málà broth or oil.
- Pay by stick count; dip in sesame/garlic/peanut sauce to balance heat.
Málàtàng (麻辣烫) — Build-your-own spicy soup
- Choose items with tongs, weigh at the counter, simmered in spicy broth.
- Ask for 微辣 (mild) if you’re new to málà.
Hóngyóu Chāoshǒu (红油抄手) — Wontons in chili oil
- Silky pork or veg wontons with chili oil, vinegar, and garlic.
- Fragrant, spicy, slightly tangy—great starter-size bowl.
Liángmiàn / Liángfěn (凉面 / 凉粉) — Cold noodles/jelly
- Street classic with chili oil, sesame paste, vinegar, and scallion.
- Cooling texture but big flavor; perfect on hot days.
Spicy Duck Neck (卤鸭脖) — Late-night munch
- Braised in spices, then tossed with málà; gnaw-and-pick style snack.
- Also try duck wings, feet, and tofu skin from the same stalls.
Skewers & Griddle (烧烤 / 铁板) — Street BBQ
- Chicken, lamb, mushrooms brushed with chili-spice mix; cooked to order.
- Say 少辣 (less spicy) or add cumin/garlic instead of extra chili.
Already tried Spicy Rabbit Head? Balance your crawl with cold noodles and soy milk breaks.
Heat Levels: Managing “Má” & “Là”
- 微辣 (wēi là) — mild | 中辣 (zhōng là) — medium | 特辣 (tè là) — very spicy
- To reduce numbing, ask for 少麻 (less peppercorn) or choose five-spice options.
- Balance with sesame sauce, vinegar, rice, buns, or cucumber salad.
How to Order Like a Local
- Pay-by-weight: At málàtàng, load your bowl, then the staff weighs it.
- Stick counting: At chuànchuàn, keep used sticks—cashier counts at the end.
- Customize: Ask for garlic (蒜蓉), sesame (芝麻/麻酱), cilantro (香菜), or peanuts (花生).
- Heat control phrases: “请做微辣 (qǐng zuò wēi là)” or “少一点辣”.
- To-go: “打包 (dǎbāo)” for takeaway boxes; many stalls seal soups for travel.
Where & When to Go
- Night markets & student areas: Best variety and prices; lively after 6–7 pm.
- Food streets: Multiple stalls side-by-side—perfect for a tasting crawl.
- Rainy evening? Covered lanes and mall food courts keep the vibe going.
Hygiene & Safety Tips
- Pick busy stalls with high turnover; food is fresher.
- Watch prep surfaces and gloves; avoid items sitting too long unrefrigerated.
- Allergies? Ask about peanut/sesame and confirm cross-contact risks.
- Bring tissues/hand wipes; avoid touching eyes after chili oil.
- If sensitive, start with mild broth and add spice at the table.
Sample Spicy Street Food Crawl (90–120 min)
- Warm-up: hóngyóu chāoshǒu (wontons in chili oil) — share 1 small bowl.
- Main: chuànchuàn — 10–15 sticks each; dip in sesame/garlic sauce.
- Side coolers: liángmiàn (cold noodles) + cucumber salad.
- Finish: street BBQ skewer or duck neck for late-night flavor.
Useful Vocabulary
- 麻辣 (málà) — numbing & spicy
- 串串 (chuànchuàn) — skewers in spicy broth/oil
- 麻辣烫 (málàtàng) — spicy hotpot-style soup by weight
- 红油抄手 — wontons in red chili oil
- 凉面 / 凉粉 — cold noodles / mung bean jelly
- 微辣 / 中辣 / 特辣 — mild / medium / very spicy
- 打包 — to-go / takeaway
FAQ — Spicy Street Food
Is all Chengdu street food very spicy?
No—many stalls offer mild versions and non-spicy sides. Ask for 微辣 or 不辣.
Will it upset my stomach?
Start mild, eat slowly, and pair spicy dishes with rice or cold noodles. Stay hydrated.
Can vegetarians eat well?
Yes—choose tofu, mushrooms, potato, lotus root, and greens; confirm broth base (veg vs bone).
How do I pay?
QR pay (WeChat/Alipay) is common; keep small cash as backup.
Eat Chengdu the Málà Way with Masons Au Pair
We map tasty, safe street-food routes for your neighborhood, show you how to order and balance heat, and share foodie Mandarin so you can enjoy every bite with friends and host families.
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