Start your day in Chongqing with a hearty and authentic breakfast at one of the city’s many local spots. If you’re in the Jiefangbei area, there are several hidden gems where you can enjoy traditional and flavorful morning meals. From steamed buns to hearty porridges, these local favorites showcase the flavors that define Chongqing’s breakfast culture. Here are six must-try breakfast spots that locals swear by.
1. Uncle Mai’s. Yuanyang Baozi (麦大叔.鸳鸯包子)
Location: Next to Yudu Hotel, No. 8 Jialing Road, Yuzhong District
Recommended: Yuanyang Baozi – a combination of sauced pork buns (酱肉包) and fresh pork buns (鲜肉包). The buns are thin-skinned and stuffed with generous fillings, made fresh right in front of you. The sauced pork bun is rich in flavor, with a perfect balance of sweet and savory, while the fresh pork bun has a milder taste, offering a delicate contrast. You can watch the aunties wrap the buns and steam them on the spot.
2. Old Chongqing Oil Tea (老重庆油茶)
Location: No. 3, Minquan Road, Jiefangbei, Yuzhong District
Recommended: A traditional breakfast spot located in a small alley behind the Bayi Street Food Market, Old Chongqing Oil Tea serves a limited yet classic selection of breakfast items. The signature dish is oil tea—a blend of fermented rice porridge mixed with savory seasonings and topped with fried dough crisps (馓子). The crispy texture combined with the warm porridge creates a fragrant, comforting dish that’s both crunchy and flavorful.
3. Zhang Xian Xian Chao Shou (张鲜鲜抄手)
Location: No. 100, Shihuishi Street, Yuzhong District
Recommended: For those who love Chongqing’s famous dumplings (抄手), Zhang Xian Xian is a must-visit. Their green onion oil chicken dumplings are a crowd favorite. Freshly made with a rich chicken broth and topped with aromatic green onion oil, these dumplings are savory and delicious. The dumplings are large, with a flavorful filling that includes a bit of lotus root for extra texture.
4. Egg Burger (鸡蛋汉堡)
Location: On the overpass near the Dongfang Mingzhu Dance Hall, Jiefangbei
Recommended: At just 6 yuan for a thick, fluffy burger, the egg burger is a quick, tasty breakfast option. The fried egg pancake is golden and crispy on both sides, while the inside remains soft and airy. It’s a great choice for a grab-and-go breakfast that’s both filling and satisfying.
5. Yam Rice Cake (山药香米糕)
Location: Luzu Temple Flower Market
Recommended: A traditional dish made from fermented rice paste, yam rice cakes have a slight tang and are fried until golden brown on both sides. These soft, fluffy cakes are a perfect balance of savory and subtly sweet, and they’re a popular breakfast snack for locals. The yam adds a nice earthy flavor that enhances the rice cake’s texture and taste, making it a delightful and nutritious morning treat.
6. Jun Tun Guokui (军屯锅魁)
Location: No. 250, Jialing Road, Daxi Gou, Yuzhong District
Recommended: This tiny shop specializes in Guokui (锅魁), a type of Chinese flatbread that’s crisp on the outside and soft inside. The five-spiced pork guokui and beef guokui are the highlights. For only 10 yuan, you’ll get a generously filled, crispy guokui that is perfect for breakfast.