Livin' In The Chonx

Jia Chang Chuan Cai 家常川菜
This is a general entry for all the family owned and operated Sichuan style restaurants. (Chongqing was a part of Sichuan until 1997, hence the food is still referred to as “Sichuan” style) Sichuan food is increasingly popular all over the country and even internationally, so no matter where […]

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Dong Bei Cai 东北菜
Here is a delicious alternative to spicy food.  Dongbei restaurants serve dishes that originate in the northeast region of China where they prefer to use garlic and vinegar over spicy and numbing peppers.  The price range is similar to that of other dishes restaurants.  Here are a couple recommendations.
•    Jiang Pai Gu […]

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Da Pan Ji 大盘鸡
• 25 RMB/small (2-3 people); 38 RMB/medium (3-4 people); 50 RMB/large (4-5 people)
Literally translated “Big Pan Chicken” is a huge plate of chicken, potatoes, peppers, onions, and spices. Originally from the northwest parts of China like Xinjiang, you can typically find this at Muslim owned restaurants around town. […]

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Gan Guo 干锅 (Daping Map)
• 15-20/small pot (2-3 people); 25-30/large pot (3-4 people)
Gan Guo literally means dry pot, but don’t let the name deceive you, the pot is filled with oil. Here is how it works, you choose the ‘flavor’ you want—usually your choice of meat or various things that locals […]

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Lao Ma Chao Shou* 老麻抄手
•    4-6 RMB/bowl
Chengdu is to Dragon dumplings, as Chongqing is to Lao Ma dumplings. Both are hand wrapped with pork stuffing, but like almost everything in Chongqing the Chao Shou dumplings here come with a spicy kick. There are numerous La Ma Dumpling shops around town, but the authentic ones will […]

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Lan Zhou La Mian 兰州拉面
• 4-6 RMB/portion
Take a break from the peppers at any of these family-owned noodle shops. Originating from the northwest region of China (Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu), these restaurants are generally owned and operated by Hui people (Chinese speaking Muslims). Hui men can be identified […]

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Ha Er Bin Shui Jiao* 哈尔滨水饺
• 2-4 RMB/serving
In China they say the best noodles and dumplings are made in the North. So it should be no surprise that the best place to find Shui Jiao dumplings is at the Harbin restaurants (Harbin is in the Northeast tip of China). Shui […]

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Tian Jin Bao Zi 天津包子
•    ~.5 RMB/bun
Another staple that has trickled down from Northern China, small shops that sell these dot every street.  But don’t settle for just any steamed bun shop, keep a look out for the Tianjin characters.  Tianjin is a city located north of Beijing and the most famous brand of steamed […]

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Xiang Cun Ji 乡村基
•    8-15 RMB/set meal
This local Chinese fast food chain has stores throughout the city, and they are almost always packed with people.  Get a lifetime supply of cholesterol with their fried chicken meals (they come with French fries and fried rice).  Or choose the alternative Chinese style set meals like the stewed […]

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Guilin Zhu Tong Fan 桂林竹筒饭 (Jiefangbei Map)
•    10-12 RMB/bucket
Dark wooden buckets lined with bamboo leaves.  Unfold the leaves and the aroma of fresh peppers, onions, tender bamboo shoots, and savory morsels of meat rises up to greet you.  This specialty comes all the way from southern Guilin.  The portions are so generous that one bucket […]

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