In this video, I had the pleasure of meeting Kevin Cook from Monkey Abroad, who is on a mission to travel the world on a budget of $20 per day. Together, we explored the streets of Chengdu, China, and indulged in some of the best Chinese street food the city has to offer. It was a memorable trip filled with delicious food and local experiences.
One of our first stops was a local market on the outskirts of Chengdu. The vibrant atmosphere and wide variety of Sichuan ingredients were truly mind-blowing. We arrived at the market early in the morning with empty stomachs and limited funds, but our goal was to try as many local dishes as possible. The flavors and aromas of the food were incredible, and we were in awe of the culinary delights that Chengdu had to offer.
Instead of opting for the popular hot pot dishes in Chengdu or Chongqing, we decided to explore the local market and a noodle joint. This decision turned out to be a great one, as we discovered some hidden gems that surpassed our expectations. I highly recommend visiting these places if you ever find yourself in Chengdu.
The addresses of the locations we visited are:
The market:
农贸市场 (Nóngmào shìchǎng)
青羊区苏坡中路5-10号 (qīngyáng qū sū pō zhōnglù 5-10 hào)
The noodles that made me want to move to Chengdu:
Name: 纯阳馆鱼香排骨面 (chún yáng guǎn yú xiāng páigǔ miàn)
Address: 青羊区吉祥街6号附6号 吉祥结店 (Qīngyáng qū jíxiáng jiē 6 hào fù 6 hào jíxiáng jié diàn)
– The cheap hole in the wall for dinner:
Address: Guanghuacun Street, right near the small south gate of SWUFE
At the end of the day, Kevin managed to spend less than $20 on his food, transportation, and accommodation in Chengdu. It was an incredible experience that showcased the affordability and richness of Chinese cuisine.
As for me, my name is Trevor James, and I am a hungry traveler and Mandarin learner currently residing in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. I am passionate about exploring and documenting various dishes from around the world.