Chongqing Cuisine: A Journey to Discover the Spicy Flavors of China

Chongqing cuisine has long been famous not only for its characteristic spicy flavor but also for the harmonious combination of fresh ingredients and indigenous cooking methods. Located in southwest China, Chongqing not only attracts tourists by its majestic natural scenery but also makes many gourmets fascinated by its hot, spicy but attractive street food. If you are planning to explore Chongqing cuisine, get ready for an impressive and unique taste experience.

1. Chongqing Spicy Hot Pot

Chongqing Spicy Hot Pot (Photo source: Collected)

When it comes to Chongqing cuisine , it is hard to ignore the famous spicy hot pot – one of the most famous spicy dishes in China. True to its name, this hot pot has a “tongue-burning” spicy taste, which can make even the most unaccustomed diners “cry” from the first time they enjoy it.

The first impression when looking at the hot pot is the bright red color of dried chili, mixed with Sichuan pepper and a series of typical spices that bring out the spicy aroma. Even just inhaling the aroma from the hot pot is enough to make people exclaim because of the "notorious" spiciness. Hot pot is often served with ingredients such as thinly sliced ​​beef, seafood, tofu, fish cakes, mushrooms and green vegetables - depending on the preferences and tastes of the diners.

In particular, this Chinese spicy hot pot has three levels of spiciness for you to choose from: mild, medium and super spicy. On chilly days in late autumn or mid-winter, enjoying winter cuisine with a steaming pot of Chongqing spicy hot pot will be an unforgettable Chongqing spicy food experience for any tourist looking for Chongqing specialties to explore .

2. Sweet and sour vermicelli

Sweet and sour vermicelli (Photo source: Collected)

Sweet and sour vermicelli is a typical dish in Chongqing cuisine, featuring chewy vermicelli noodles made from sweet potatoes, combined with a light soy broth. The dish is garnished with roasted peanuts, fresh coriander, lightly sour vinegar and a little spicy chili sauce. The special thing about this vermicelli dish is that diners can easily adjust the spiciness according to their taste, very suitable for those who love mildly spicy dishes but still rich in flavor. This is an attractive choice for tourists who want to explore delicious street food in Chongqing, looking for easy-to-eat dishes in Chongqing or simply enjoy a bowl of vermicelli that is both delicious and easy on the taste buds.

3. Dandan Noodles

Dandan noodles (Photo source: Collected)

A popular dish but rich in flavor, Dandan noodles leave a mark in the hearts of diners with the harmonious combination of soft and chewy noodles, fragrant and fatty minced meat, spicy chili oil, green onions and fresh green vegetables. Not only is it a familiar dish in every daily meal, Dandan noodles are also considered a symbol of Chongqing cuisine - a place famous for its spicy and flavorful dishes. Despite its simple preparation, this noodle dish has existed for a long time and is increasingly popular, conquering both tourists and locals.

4. Jiangtuan Fish

When it comes to Chongqing cuisine, we cannot ignore Jiangtuan fish - one of the Chongqing specialties that has made this land famous. Thanks to the dense river system and abundant aquatic resources, Jiangtuan fish is processed by the local people into many attractive dishes such as fragrant steamed Jiangtuan fish, richly grilled or crispy fried Jiangtuan fish. Each way of processing brings a different taste experience, making it difficult for anyone who has tasted it to forget. This is also one of the Chongqing delicacies that many tourists love when exploring Chinese cuisine in this land.

5. Skewered hot pot

Skewered hot pot (Photo source: Collected)

Skewered hot pot is a unique variation in Chongqing cuisine, distinguished by the way the ingredients are presented differently from traditional hot pot. Instead of being dropped directly into the pot, green vegetables, meat, seafood... are neatly skewered on bamboo sticks, then dipped in rich broth cooked in a hot clay pot or cast iron pot. This way of enjoying not only makes the dish look more eye-catching but also creates convenience and fun when eating. Thanks to the variety of choices and flavors, skewered hot pot quickly became a favorite street food, attracting both tourists and locals.

6. Chongqing Spicy Jelly Beans

On hot summer days, Chongqing Spicy Bean Jelly is a popular dish thanks to its refreshing taste combined with a characteristic spicy sauce. The dish is simple but memorable because of the smooth jelly made from soybeans, mixed with chili oil, rich soy sauce and a little bit of light sour garlic vinegar, bringing a feeling of both coolness and stimulating the taste buds. This is one of the typical Chinese snacks, clearly showing the sophistication and personality of Chongqing cuisine - a place famous for its delicious summer dishes with unique spicy flavors and strong street food flavor.

7. Chili fried chicken

Chili fried chicken is one of the typical spicy dishes in Chongqing cuisine. The chicken pieces are marinated with spices, then fried with fresh red chili, creating a passionate and attractive flavor. When the dish is just served, the spicy aroma spreads, stimulating the taste buds immediately. For those who love spicy dishes, this is definitely a Chongqing specialty that cannot be missed. If you are not used to spicy food, it is still worth trying once - because the rich flavor and the delicate preparation of the people here will make you fascinated. An ideal suggestion to start the journey of enjoying local Chongqing food!

8. Mapo Tofu

 

Mapo Tofu (Image source: Collected)

A familiar dish in the daily meals of Chongqing people, Mapo tofu attracts diners with its simple preparation but rich flavor. Soft tofu is cooked with a special sauce including chili oil, fermented soybeans, fermented black beans and minced meat, creating a blend of characteristic spicy flavor and attractive fatty aroma. This is a typical dish in Chongqing cuisine, not only suitable for local taste but also easy to adjust to suit the taste of tourists when exploring the culinary culture here.

Not just a dish, Chongqing cuisine is also a cultural bridge, expressing the lifestyle and strong spirit of the people here. From rustic dishes in daily meals to famous specialties bearing the mark of the Southwest China region, all contribute to creating an unforgettable identity for this land. If you have the opportunity to set foot in Chongqing, do not forget to take the time to enjoy and fully feel the unique flavors in each dish - one of the indispensable experiences in the journey to discover China.

Source : https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/am-thuc-trung-khanh-v17304.aspx