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Sichuan is renowned for its rich culinary heritage, famous for its intricate preparation methods and signature spicy, hot flavors. If you're planning to visit Sichuan, be sure to savor these 8 flavorful dishes—you’ll remember them for a long time.
Essential Dishes to Try When Visiting Sichuan
1. Mapo Tofu
This dish is a perfect blend of tofu, minced meat, and Sichuan's signature spices like chili oil and peppercorns. Mapo tofu will surely warm the hearts of travelers exploring the chilly region of Sichuan year-round.
2. Twice-Cooked Pork
This unique dish promises an unforgettable flavor for visitors from afar. While other regions might cook pork just once, in Sichuan, China, it’s cooked twice. The fatty pork belly is first boiled, then fried with spices and leeks. It’s one of the milder dishes, with a distinctive sweet flavor, so travelers can enjoy it without worrying about too much heat.
3. Kung Pao Chicken
A favorite dish for many, this Kung Pao chicken is made by chopping cooked chicken into small pieces, mixing it with peanuts and spicy chili, and then drizzling a special homemade sauce over the mixture. The resulting dish is not only visually striking but also delivers an amazing flavor experience.
4. Smoked Tea Duck
While other dishes may take only 30 minutes to 2 hours to prepare, this one requires several days. The duck is first marinated and smoked with tea leaves to absorb new flavors. Then, it undergoes steaming and a crispy frying process. For a less spicy and hot dish in Sichuan, smoked tea duck is the perfect choice.
5. Chongqing Dry Spicy Chicken
This dish is highly praised by many diners for being absolutely exceptional, but it's not recommended for those who aren't accustomed to spicy food, as it will have you crying non-stop. First, the chicken pieces are marinated, then deep-fried before being stir-fried with dried chili, garlic, and Sichuan pepper. This cooking method ensures that the chicken is dry but not tough.
6. Dan Dan Noodles
This is a typical street food from Sichuan. You can enjoy it in anything from upscale restaurants to street-side eateries or food stalls while traveling in Sichuan. The dish consists of minced pork or beef mixed with chives, sesame paste, soy sauce, and chili. In some places, additional spices may be added to suit the diners' preferences.
7. Beef Tongue and Tripe
This is a cold dish made with beef, entrails, tendons, and brisket mixed with a spicy sauce. It is typically served with cilantro, sesame, and peanuts to enhance the flavor and help prevent the dish from becoming too greasy.
8. Sichuan Hotpot
Traveling abroad to Sichuan without trying its famous hotpot would be a real regret. This dish is a perfect blend of the region's renowned spices. Don’t be surprised if the server brings out a pot filled with chili peppers and peppercorns. Alongside the fiery red hotpot, there is always a clear broth available for those who can’t handle the spice. After adding various meats, vegetables, and seafood to the pot, wait for it to boil once more, and then dive in to enjoy the unforgettable flavors.
