If you’re looking for a slice of Chengdu where history, food, and modern city life all come together, the Luomashi (骡马市) area is where it’s at. This guide to the best Luomashi food spots will take you from hidden halal lanes to a dazzling new immersive street. Tucked right around Tianfu Square, this district has quietly become one of the city’s most exciting places to eat, wander, and soak up the vibe — especially after a string of recent upgrades.
Here’s a friendly local’s guide to the best spots in the area, from a buzzing underground food court to a brand-new immersive shopping street that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a xianxia (fantasy martial arts) drama.
Luomashi Food: Start at Xiyu Street’s Muslim Quarter
Kick off your food tour on Xiyu Street (西御街), the neighborhood’s go-to destination for Sichuan-style halal food. It’s a proper food street, lined with classic Muslim eateries that have kept their traditional recipes intact while polishing up the dining experience for modern crowds.
These restaurants don’t just serve food — they carry a piece of Chengdu’s cultural history. Expect everything from hearty beef dishes to fragrant cumin-spiced snacks, all served with that unmistakable Sichuan kick.
Head Underground: Jinzhan Shopping Center
Right at Tianfu Square, make your way downstairs to Jinzhan Shopping Center (今站购物中心) — and yes, you read that right, the food is underground. It’s one of the busiest spots in the city, sitting right on the interchange of Metro Line 1 and Line 2, with an average daily footfall of half a million people.
In 2024, the center’s food district got a major glow-up with the launch of the “Huangchengba Food Street” (皇城坝美食街) — a dedicated zone showcasing classic Sichuan dishes alongside plenty of variety. It’s not just a transit hub; it’s a one-stop food stop.
What you’ll find inside:
- Coffee & tea all day long: Starbucks, COSTA, Heytea, Coco and more — grab a warm cup on your morning commute, or something chilled to unwind after work.
- A snack lover’s paradise: Spicy rabbit head, rice noodles, noodles, tornado potatoes (wolf-tooth potatoes), guokui (stuffed flatbread), liangfen (cold jelly noodles), grilled skewers… plus sushi onigiri, takoyaki, and sweet ice jelly (bingfen) for good measure. Don’t miss 豆香识 (Douxiangshi) for Leshan-style tofu pudding, 苏叽苏叽 (Sujisuji) for qiaojiao beef soup, and “Furong” (芙蓉) — a Sichuan intangible cultural heritage brand serving maocai (spicy numbing hot pot in a bowl) with roots going back to 1898.
- Full-on themed dining: Classic Sichuan dishes like maocai, sour fish soup, and bobo chicken (skewers in chili broth), alongside trendy options like stretchy yogurt and light meals.
Here’s the thing — this place is as much about the hangout as the food. Young locals hit the arcade for a round of games, then wander over for a steaming bowl of spicy maocai and an iced milk tea, settling into the outdoor seating for a good catch-up with friends. It’s the full “eat + play” loop, and honestly, it’s a lifestyle upgrade.
By 2025, the district had doubled down on culture, too — think Sichuan opera face-changing performances at the non-heritage theater, hanfu (traditional Chinese dress) parades, and ancient-style markets. Add in the anime and second-dimension (ACG) culture zones, and you’ve got a spot where international chains meet local internet-famous spots — a must-visit for anyone chasing the trendy side of Chengdu.
Step Into Another World: Donghuali Immersive Commercial Street
Here’s a brand-new kid on the block — Donghuali (东华里), an immersive commercial street that opened in April 2025. And it’s a stunner.
Walk in and you’ll spot white walls, dark eaves, and a bit of mist swirling around — painted walkways, glowing red lacquer corridors… It’s like stepping into an Eastern fantasy world. It’s that cinematic.
Located at No. 269 Shuncheng Street, spanning over 5,500 square meters, Donghuali’s whole concept is “reviving the city” — and it shows. It’s built to be a place you can stroll, play, and, of course, eat.
The street brings together a great lineup of well-known dining brands, and beyond the food, you can:
- Get dressed up in hanfu with full hair and makeup for a “time-travel” photo session
- Explore the intangible cultural heritage exhibition zone
- Browse the fun little market stalls
It’s all “shop, eat, play” — the kind of place that keeps you busy for an afternoon.
Make a Day of It: Culture + Food + Nightlife Loop
Because of its location, Tianfu Square’s surroundings are packed with museums and libraries — which makes this entire area the perfect recipe for a full day out: culture stops → food stops → nightlife.
And things are only getting better. Jinzhan Shopping Center, Xiyulong Street, Qinglong Street, Donghuali, and the Platinum City Shopping Plaza are all in the middle of an organic urban renewal — becoming more diverse, more stylish, and more international by the year.
Looking ahead, the Luomashi area is set to pull all these resources together even more tightly, building out a seamless “cultural venues — food — night economy” loop that gives old Chengdu commercial zones a fresh new pulse.
Local Tips for Your Luomashi Visit
Pro tip: Combine Tianfu Square and the Luomashi area with a morning museum visit, then work your way underground for lunch at Jinzhan — it’ll get crowded fast, so go early to beat the midday rush.
Local insight: Donghuali is especially photogenic in the late afternoon and evening when the lighting kicks in. Rent hanfu before sunset for the best shots.
Authentic Qingyang is about more than flavor — it’s about the warmth and energy of the city itself. So this weekend, round up your friends or family, head over to the Luomashi area, and hunt down your own little slice of Chengdu’s fiery, cooking, good-time atmosphere. 🥢✨
