When visiting Chengdu, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, a must-eat experience begins with authentic Sichuan Hotpot, where diners dip various meats and vegetables into a bubbling, spicy mala broth flavored with chili and numbing Sichuan peppercorns. Beyond the hotpot, you should try iconic dishes like Mapo Doufu (silky tofu in a spicy meat sauce), Dan Dan Mian (spicy, nutty noodles topped with ground pork), and Kung Pao Chicken. Street food enthusiasts shouldn't miss Zhong Dumplings, served in a sweet and spicy soy sauce, or Long Chao Shou (wontons in soup). For the more adventurous, spicy rabbit head and Fuqi Feipian (sliced beef and ox tongue in chili sauce) are local favorites that showcase the city's complex and bold flavor profiles. To balance the heat, a bowl of refreshing Bingfen (iced jelly with fruit and nuts) or a visit to a traditional teahouse is highly recommended.