川渝小吃坊 - Sichuan & Chongqing Snack House - A taste of Chongqing in Taiwan

The Sichuan and Chongqing regions of Mainland China are world famous for their spicy food. Having lived in Chengdu for a year, I remember how nearly every street had a hot pot restaurant and the unmistakable aroma of chilli (麻辣Má là) filled the air. For simplicity I will refer to chilli as 麻辣Má là because it is such a unique flavour, calling it chilli doesn’t do it justice. You will often hear the same word as in Mandarin used in English, málà.

The spicy heat in Sichuan and Chongqing is on another level compared to other places in the world. Across Mainland China and Taiwan, spice levels at restaurants are generally split into four levels.

1. 微辣Wēi là Mildly spicy / A little kick

2. 中辣Zhōng là  Medium spicy

3. 大辣Dà là/特辣Tè là Very spicy / Extra spicy

4. 變態辣Biàn tài là Insanely spicy/ Abnormal Heat

But don’t let this scale fool you: even Level 2 (中辣Zhōng là) is brutally spicy. What passes for "medium" in the Sichuan-Chongqing region would easily qualify as "insanely spicy" practically anywhere else in the world. The málà will leave your lips completely numb and send a burning warmth straight to your stomach, yet the flavour is so rich and aromatic that you simply can't resist it.

In Taiwan, food isn’t usually very spicy; most of my local friends don't like to eat anything with much heat at all. So seeing a spot in the Zhongshan district of Taipei called 川渝小吃坊Chuān yú xiǎo chī fāng (Sichuan & Chongqing Snack House) was a very welcome surprise. I really wanted to try it and see how it compared to my days in Chengdu.

There are actually two locations of this restaurant on the exact same street. If one spot has no open seats, the staff will direct you down to the other, and both menus are identical. Inside, the atmosphere is basic―this place is built for speed and efficiency. You walk in, mark your order on the paper menu slip, your food arrives quickly, and you eat and go.

Photo by Richard Elliott

The menu has a variety of classic Sichuan style dishes ranging from 口水雞Kǒu shuǐ jī（Mouth-watering Chicken), 重慶回鍋肉Chóng qìng huí guō ròu (Chongqing Twice-cooked Pork) and 青花椒水煮魚Qīng huā jiāo shuǐ zhǔ yú (Green Sichuan Peppercorn Poached Fish) All these are classic Sichuan dishes that taste absolutely amazing and I do recommend giving them a try.

Photo by Richard Elliott

Because it was a busy lunch hour, I opted for a single dish: their signature 重慶手工酸辣粉Chóng qìng shǒu gōng suān là fěn (Chongqing Handmade Hot and Sour Sweet Potato Noodle Soup). It is one of the most iconic street food dishes from Chongqing, celebrated for its heat, tanginess, chewy noodles, and crunchy toppings. The price is only NT$125 (US$3.85).

These handmade sweet potato noodles are thick and bouncy, absorbing the spicy broth without getting soggy. The broth itself is dark and aromatic, driven by rich black vinegar and fiery 麻辣Ma là chili oil. Mine came topped with a fried egg and plenty of crunchy fried peanuts.

Photo by Richard Elliott

I ordered 中辣Zhōng là (Medium Spicy), which sits right at my comfortable limit. It’s very spicy, but not so intense that it ruins the meal. I got that signature numbing sensation across my lips and could feel the warmth down in my stomach―it might sound strange to non-spice lovers, but it’s incredibly satisfying! Compared to my days in Chengdu, their Medium Spicy feels more like Chengdu’s 微辣Wēi là (Mildly Spicy) level; it’s toned down slightly to suit local palates.

I got to speak with the owner while I was there. She’s originally from Chongqing and shared that they recently added 大辣Dà là (Extra Spicy) to their menu. She mentioned that most customers can't handle it, but they wanted to give true spice enthusiasts the option. If I'm feeling extra brave one day, I might give it a go!

Photo by Richard Elliott

I’m really happy that Sichuan & Chongqing Snack House is here in Taipei. The food reminds me of my time in Chengdu, the food is spicy and very delicious, the prices are good and it's very convenient if you're looking for a quick authentic meal.