Joanna James
Located in the Southwest of China, Chongqing is graced by the mighty Yangtze River. The place is a tourist hub, loved for its tropics like temperatures and oh so, spicy and utterly delicious cuisine; which this article plans to explore. Foodie's, do read on!
Make a beeline to Wai Po Qiao, it's easy to find just follows the locals, for some authentic local cuisine. The name means 'Grandmas Bridge' and is very popular for its range of spicy food. There you can choose to sit in the Sichuan Cuisine section or the Hot-Pot area. If you choose to dine on hot pot selections, you may choose the ingredients from a buffet spread which includes meat and vegetables. This is a lovely affordable restaurant, located in Sanxia Square Pedestrian Street; which is less than 30 minutes from Ascott Nanbin Chongqing, and other well-located hotels offering you a choice of Chongqing condos to stay at.
Hot pot meals are Chongqing's iconic cuisine, piping hot bowl of a broth, in which meat and vegetables are simmering. It's usually a collective meal enjoyed with others, where laughs and stories are exchanged in between. If you ask around for the best place to enjoy a hot pot at, Xiao Tian E will come highly recommended. The name in English translates to 'Little Swan Hot Pot' and the restaurant is known for its high-quality meals which are packed with flavour. If spicy food is hard for you to handle, ask for a plain broth minus the many peppercorns. Xiao Tian E is located at Jianxin N Road.
Ok, so enjoying a slice of Italy while touring Chongqing is wholly healthy, and there is no better place to do so than the Nova Venezia restaurant. An oasis for expats hankering for a taste of home when the local spices seem a tad too much, this restaurant serves up a fine selection of Italian favourites such as pizzas, calzones, and tiramisus. Do try the Pizza Americana which comes topped with French fries and yes, hot dogs!
First off, this unique eatery is housed inside an old WWII bomb shelter, how cool is that? The place specialises in fish dishes and is often crowded, a clear indication the fair is good. Open 24-hours the restaurant is well known for its carp fish dish and also the spare ribs. Mind you the menu is only in Chinese, so, unless you are familiar with the language, taking along a local friend would be a good idea. Zeng Lao is located at 221 Changjiang Binjiang Road.
Thai food in the centre of Chongqing is quite the treat, this restaurant is centrally located at the Metropolitan Plaza. For times you want a break from the spicy noodles and delicious hot pots, visit this eatery serving all your flavour packed Thai favourites, including shrimp cakes and spring rolls. The staff is not fluent in English, but the menus come with pictures to make ordering easy. Thai Rice House is located at Zourong Road.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
