Yulin Road: Chengdu’s Ultimate Foodie Street
“Walk to the end of Yulin Road and sit outside a small bar.” The song Chengdu put Yulin Road on the national map.
Yet Yulin is one of those rare spots that, even after becoming wildly popular, still keeps a comfortable, laid-back vibe.
Most of my previous trips in Chengdu revolved around Chunxi Road, but this time I came to the famous Yulin Road. Unlike Chunxi, where perfume and mall air-conditioning mingle, here the aroma of gaiwan tea drifting from old teahouses makes you naturally slow your pace.
Yulin isn’t exactly an off-the-beaten-path street, but it’s a “win-win” for everyone—locals and visitors alike love it. It was my first time here, yet I already fell for its relaxed rhythm.
Even though the song Chengdu went viral years ago, Yulin Road has retained a sense of everyday ease that keeps people coming back. If you want to spend a day here like I did, I’ve prepared this guide for you.
When people talk about Yulin, they usually mean a living area centered around Yulin Road, extending into multiple intersecting streets. You can wander freely—this area blends everyday life with a touch of artsy, Instagrammable charm perfectly.
Getting to Yulin Road is easy by metro: Yiguanmiao Station on Line 3, or Fangcaojie and Nijiaqiao Stations on Line 8 all work.
I recommend starting at Fangcaojie Station Exit D and following a route along Fangcao Street → Fangcao Hengjie → Fanghua Street → Yulin Comprehensive Market → Yulin East Street → Yulin West Street. This path captures the heart of Yulin’s essence.
Today, let’s start exploring the food scene. If you love Sichuan cuisine, make sure to bookmark this guide!
Shentang Sweet Noodles (Shentang Tianshui Mian , 沈堂甜水面, Shěntáng Tiánshuǐ Miàn)
📍 Address: No.5, Xineng Lane 2, Fangcao Street
💰 Average Price: ¥10 per person
🈺 Opening Hours: 09:00–15:30 (Sundays may close earlier)
This is a long-standing internet-famous spot, popular for several years and frequently featured on must-try lists. The storefront is simple, but every morning it attracts many locals. By 2–3 PM, they often sell out.
The interior is typical of a traditional snack shop: a few wooden tables and chairs against the wall, with yellowing price lists and a handwritten sign reading “Sweet Noodles 5 yuan / liang” on the wall.
The signature sweet noodles are a must-order. The noodles are as thick as chopsticks, hand-pounded for extra chewiness. The flavors—sweet, spicy, numbing, and fragrant—explode layer by layer in your mouth, with crunchy peanut bits adding texture.
I wasn’t always a fan of sweet noodles, but this one is very approachable. If you like sweeter tastes, it’s definitely worth a try. Plus, the price is very friendly—just over ten yuan for a satisfying meal.
Shunjie Dumplings (Shunjie Shuijiao , 顺姐水饺, Shùnjiě Shuǐjiǎo)
📍 Address: No.16, No.78 Fangcao East Street
💰 Average Price: ¥20 per person
🈺 Opening Hours: 07:30–21:00
Highly recommended—this is a pure local eatery!
A hidden gem in the community for over 20 years, it’s just a short walk from Fangcao Street Exit D. Most of the diners are locals. Besides dumplings, the menu includes noodles and rice bowls.
The signature dish is Red Oil Dumplings. The dumpling wrappers are hand-rolled, chewy, and firm. The pork filling is said to be freshly sourced daily from Yulin Market.
Each bite bursts with savory pork flavor mingled with the fragrant red oil. Their red oil is distinctive, with cooked sesame seeds and crushed peanuts, achieving a perfect sweet-spicy balance.
If dumplings aren’t your thing, try the Double Pepper Twice-Cooked Pork Rice Bowl —a true hidden hit.
Hua Chuan Chuan (Hua Chuan Chuan , 花串串, Huā Chuànchuàn)
📍 Address: No.1, No.16 Fangcao Street
💰 Average Price: ¥60 per person
🈺 Opening Hours: 11:30–02:00 (next day)
No trip to Chengdu is complete without Chuan Chuan! This was the only cold-pot Chuan Chuan I tried in Yulin, and it was delicious. (If you know other good spots, feel free to recommend!)
The flavor here is beef-tallow-based , so it’s a bit oily. But in my opinion, the soul of the place lies in the traditional red oil broth. Bright red but not overly spicy, it gets more fragrant the longer it cooks.
I skipped the signature cilantro beef and fish mint because I don’t like them, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the rest of the meal.
For friends with similar tastes, try: pickled pepper beef, small taro balls, tribute vegetables (gongcai), bean sheets, and chicken gizzards.
I particularly loved the tribute vegetables (gongcai). After 1 minute in the red broth, they’re crunchier than lotus root slices, absorbing the spicy oil—flavor hits straight to the soul. The bean sheets soak up the broth and burst with juice—so tasty.
If it feels too spicy, order a bowl of ice jelly (bingfen) to cool down—absolutely perfect.
Emei Mountain Tofu Pudding (Emei Shandong Doufunao , 峨眉山豆腐脑, Éméi Shān Dòufu Nǎo)
📍 Address: No.1, No.12 Fangcao Street
💰 Average Price: ¥25 per person
🈺 Opening Hours: 08:00–21:00
This is another long-standing local spot, serving traditional Emei-style tofu pudding. I had never tried spicy tofu pudding before, so I was curious.
The setting is simple but immersive. Sitting on a small stool, stirring a bowl of tofu pudding, and pairing it with a crispy pancake (kabing) gives you a taste of local comfort food.
The beef tofu pudding is their signature. The broth, simmered from beef bones, is rich and velvety. Silky tofu sits at the bottom, topped with freshly steamed minced beef, crunchy soybeans, savory pickled mustard bits, and bright green celery pieces. A final drizzle of secret red oil adds an irresistible aroma.
Add a portion of crispy fried dough strips (sanzi)—half-soaked in the broth, they stay crispy on the bite, crackling delightfully. The condiments are plentiful and flavorful.
This dish completely changed my perception of spicy tofu pudding.
Ai Hen Guai Tofu Pudding (Ai Hen Guai Douhua , 爱恨怪豆花, Ài Hèn Guài Dòuhuā) – Fanghua Street Branch
📍 Address: 2nd Floor, No.76 Fangcao East Street
💰 Average Price: ¥50 per person
🈺 Opening Hours: 11:30–01:00 (next day)
The setting is classic small, bustling eatery style. The restaurant is small, but during mealtimes it fills up inside and out.
The specialty here is tofu pudding hot pot. Broth options include Guizhou sour soup, original nourishing chicken soup, and sour fish soup. Hot pots are priced per person, and there are five quality levels—from basic to premium—with higher tiers including more meat.
The most popular is the Guizhou sour soup trio , made with tomato and three fermented chili peppers. The soup is tangy, spicy, and gets more fragrant the longer it simmers.
The potato balls (yangyu ba) are also a must-try—crispy on the outside, soft and glutinous inside. Fried golden and dipped in chili powder or sweet-spicy sauce, the sweet-salty contrast keeps you reaching for more.
If a non-Sichuan dish can become popular in Sichuan, you know the taste is truly reliable.
Gang Huo Zigong (Gang Huo Zigong , 岗火自贡, Gǎng Huǒ Zìgòng) – Yulin Branch
📍 Address: No.6, No.1 Yulin East Road
💰 Average Price: ¥80 per person
🈺 Opening Hours: 11:00–23:00
Gang Huo Zigong is one of the more highly rated Zigong-style restaurants on Yulin Road. I personally don’t handle super spicy food well, so my experience might differ, but honestly, I’ve never had a really bad Zigong stir-fry.
The Fresh Chili Rabbit Cubes (xianjiao tuding) are the soul of Zigong cuisine and a must-order at any Zigong restaurant. Here, the dish is excellent—the spiciness of fresh chili blends perfectly with the aroma of young ginger. The heat hits hard, but it’s addictive. I’ve heard you can request handmade noodles to mix with it, though it’s not on the menu.
Their Fiery Double Crisps (huobao shuangcui) is another highly recommended dish and a classic of Zigong stir-fry. If I had to describe it in four words: numbing, spicy, fresh, fragrant.
Zigong cuisine is heavy on oil and spice. If you can’t handle chili, I wouldn’t recommend it—otherwise, you might end up reaching for a cooling drink like I did. But for spice lovers, this is the place to experience the thrill of chili that makes you lean against the wall for support.
Chenji Grandpa & Grandma Egg Pancakes (Chenji Yeye Popo Dan Hong Gao , 陈记爷爷婆婆蛋烘糕, Chén Jì Yéyé Pópó Dànhōnggāo)
📍 Address: Right side of Moyuyuan, No.9 Yulin East Road
💰 Average Price: ¥6 per person
🈺 Opening Hours: 14:30–20:30
Chenji Grandpa & Grandma Egg Pancakes is a queue-worthy legend in the Yulin Road area. This 40+ year-old shop is tucked in a deep alley, yet it hasn’t stopped people from loving these egg pancakes.
There’s no storefront—just a small cart and two copper pots. Prices are very reasonable, around ¥3–4 per pancake.
I tried the cream & pork floss pancake and the special spicy-sweet pancake. The first is a classic, evoking childhood memories for many locals, while the second is Chenji’s unique creation—sweet with a hint of spice, spicy with a touch of sour, delightfully addictive.
Chenji Grandpa & Grandma Egg Pancakes
Huang Niang Sweet & Not Spicy (Huang Niang Tianbu La , 黄孃甜不辣, Huáng Niáng Tiánbù Là)
📍 Address: No.22, Courtyard 33, Jiuru Village, South Telecom Street
💰 Average Price: ¥40 per person
🈺 Opening Hours: 11:30–19:30
Huang Niang Sweet & Not Spicy is a first-generation internet-famous spot. Some online reviews even say, “Coming to Yulin Road without trying Huang Niang’s Sweet & Not Spicy is a wasted trip.” The shop is a bit farther away, and honestly, if you don’t pass by, it’s not essential—this is now run by the second generation, and opinions are mixed.
The restaurant is tiny and crowded, with very few seats.
There’s a house rule : all dishes must be ordered at once—no mid-meal additions.
The dishes are tasty but not mind-blowing. I especially loved the oyster mushrooms , a hidden gem among vegetarian options. They develop a crispy outer layer, and when you bite in, the juices burst, mingling perfectly with the sweet-spicy chili powder.
Many people recommend the rice jelly noodles (mi liangfen), but I found them a bit greasy after frying.
Yulin Comprehensive Market (Yulin Zonghe Shichang , 玉林综合市场, Yùlín Zōnghé Shìchǎng)
📍 Address: No.12 Yulin West Street
Yulin Comprehensive Market is the heart of food hunting in Yulin , one of Chengdu’s most vibrant traditional markets.
At the entrance is a small park where locals play cards, chat, or just bask in the sun—bustling and full of life.
Popular snack stalls always have long lines. Community favorites include Maji Halal Lung Slices, signature tender corn cakes, cold pig’s feet salad, and spring roll salads —all highly praised neighborhood classics.
The first floor gathers snacks, dried goods, and fruits , with famous old brands lined up, like Guizhou Niangniang Glutinous Rice , Wangji Sweet Noodles , and Xiangji Guokui. The second floor focuses on fresh produce , with clearly divided sections for vegetables, meats, and tofu products.
I personally love wandering markets—it’s so local, so full of life. Visiting Yulin Comprehensive Market feels like stepping into a Chengdu resident’s daily life. What you carry home isn’t just groceries or snacks—it’s the warm, comforting pulse of everyday city life.
Yulin’s Hidden Treasures
Of course, Yulin’s treasures don’t stop here—there are still plenty on my “to-try” list.
Some of the more popular hotpots, like Heping Uncle Hotpot, Piaoxiang Hotpot, and Alley Entrance Hotpot , I didn’t get to try. Going alone makes hotpot a bit tricky.
After wandering Yulin, it becomes clear: this is the charm of Chengdu —poetry grows amidst the everyday hustle, and uniqueness hides within the ordinary. Every local probably has their own Yulin must-eat list in their heart.