吃在春熙路[三]

龙抄手

This one could count as NO.1 Chengdu snack. Decades ago it was only a little restaurant that specializes 抄手。It's pretty much the same thing as Wonton. But in Sichuan, it's called 抄手； in Guangdong, it's 云吞；n many parts in the North, it's 馄钝。That little 抄手place made their fame by their distinct version of "sichuan ravioli". Today,龙抄手 has adopted modern business techniques, standardized their products, set up chains. It's become one of the most well-known中华老字号 from Chengdu。[I can't think of a good translation for this....]
Notice today's 龙抄手 is no longer a family business, but part of a huge State company. After the Cultural Revolution ended, the Chengdu government nationalised a series of well-known local foods and set up the 四川省成都饮食公司[Chengdu food company]. This company found the best chefs hoping to carry on the tradition, and promote authentic Sichuan food. 陈麻婆豆腐[Mapo tofu], 钟水饺，赖汤圆，夫妻肺片，耗子洞鸭 are the famous snacks. 盘飧市[a name of a restaurant] set up the example of authentic Chengdu cuisine. Today these names are known outside Chengdu, even beyond National borders.
Many years ago, State-owned restaurants are known for their bad service. Today in Chengdu, these State-controlled restaurants are one of the best ones. The incorporated modern management techniques and learned from their competitors, such as KFC, etc. Look at this picture, these style of set up[chairs,tables] came to China with the first wave of western fast-food. Now it's a stable many "fast-food"places, but not only western.

牛牛福-三国烤肉
This is a very interesting resturant. It says: 三国。 I immediately think of two thousands years ago when China was divided in 3 countries, Chengdu being one's capital. There are still lots of historical sites from that period. However,here 三国 it means: China, Korea and Japan. It provides mainly grilled meat. The boss is from Taiwan. The managner is Korean. The chefs are locals, but have been trained in Japan and Korea. [Is there a word 'Asialization'?]Thus they claim to have authentic Japanese and Korean cuisine. Looking through the menu, it's hard to tell what's Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.. It's just food....


品味，肥肠粉，张飞牛肉

These three places sell local snacks. They can't afford the high rent as Haggen Daz thus they are located a little far[a five minutes walk from the center .品味 takes snacks from nearby counties, not really authentic, but worth trying, because they are different!:-)
张飞牛肉 made their fame in marinated beef. Now they also sell rice with beef dishes, very much like a package in Mcdonalds.
肥肠粉 sells a bunch of local foods, stir-fried rice,ricenoodles, 冒菜[a sichuan specialty, very much like a mini version of hotpot], noodles, etc. This place does not have a brand but just makes very homy foods. In fact, resturants like this is the most common in the city. 春熙路 is very much gentrified anyways.