Chengdu Jianshe Road Night Market: Eat Like a Local for 100 RMB

Welcome to Chengdu! While the pandas are cute and the hotpot is famous, the Jianshe Road Night Market is where you find the city’s true soul. Located right next to the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), this is the ultimate “food battlefield” for local students and foodies.

Here is your ultimate guide to eating like a local with just 100 RMB (about $15 USD). For a full guide to Jianshe Road Night Market and other Chengdu night markets, check out our comprehensive Chengdu Night Market Guide.

I. Why You Should Go

• The Scale: A 300-meter street packed with hundreds of stalls.
• The Price: Over 60% of the snacks cost less than 10 RMB ($1.50).
• The Vibe: Neon lights, delicious smells, and a massive crowd. Perfect for “people-watching.”
• Best Time: 6:00 PM to Midnight. Go on a weekday to avoid long lines!

II. The 100 RMB Food Trail (8 Essential Stops)

Follow this route from South to North to maximize both your stomach space and your budget. Total budget for all 8 items: ~100 RMB.

1. Grilled Shao Pi (Starchy Potato Skin Wrap)

• What it is: A chewy, grilled wrap made of potato starch.
• Must Order: Shao Pi with Beef (12 RMB). Crispy outside, gooey inside, filled with tender beef and pickled radish.
• Pro Tip: Ask for “Wei La” (Mild Spicy). If you don’t like cilantro or strong herbs, tell them “Bu Yao Xiang Cai (不要香菜)”.

2. Guoba Potatoes (Crispy “Crust” Potatoes)

• What it is: Deep-fried potato chunks tossed in a thick sauce.
• Must Order: Signature Sweet & Sour Spicy Potatoes (12 RMB).
• Pro Tip: A Chengdu classic. Perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy.

3. Braised Chicken Feet (Long Zhao Zhao)

• What it is: Chicken feet slow-cooked in a spicy “Hotpot” broth.
• Must Order: One or two “Hotpot Flavor” feet (~5 RMB per piece).
• Pro Tip: Soft enough to “melt” off the bone instantly. Great snack while walking.

4. Roasted Pig Trotters (Xu Liang)

• What it is: Pig trotters braised and then grilled to perfection.
• Must Order: Half a trotter (15 RMB).
• Pro Tip: Crispy skin, soft inside, packed with collagen.

5. Roasted Pig Brains (The Brave Man’s Challenge)

• What it is: Brains roasted in a tin foil bowl with garlic, chili, and oil.
• Must Order: Spicy Roasted Brains (20 RMB).
• Pro Tip: Think of it as “spicy, silkier tofu.” If uncomfortable, swap for Tin Foil Tofu (15 RMB).

6. Bobo Chicken (Cold Spicy Skewers)

• What it is: Pre-cooked skewers soaked in spicy oil or rattan pepper broth.
• How to Order: Pick a few skewers like “Boneless Chicken Feet” or “Potato Slices.”
• Price: Around 15–20 RMB.
• Pro Tip: Good place to rest your feet and enjoy numbing, spicy flavors.

7. Dan Hong Gao (Egg Pancakes)

• What it is: Soft pancakes made in a traditional copper pan.
• Must Order: One savory (Spicy Beef) and one sweet (Cream & Meat Floss) (~8 RMB for two).
• Pro Tip: Taste of a Chengdu childhood. Perfect palate cleanser after all that spice.

8. The Sweet Finish (Seasonal)

• Winter: Rice Wine Soup with Tangyuan (~6 RMB). Warm, sweet, osmanthus fragrance.
• Summer: Hand-made Bingfen (Ice Jelly) (~8 RMB). Look for tiny bubbles—handmade. Refreshes instantly.

III. Essential Tips for Travelers

1. Go Cashless: 100% of stalls use Alipay or WeChat Pay. Make sure your international card is linked.
2. Spicy Warning: Chengdu “Mild Spicy” is often “Medium” or “Hot” for foreigners. Say: “Lǎo bǎn, bù yào là jiāo (老板, 不要辣椒)” if you prefer less chili.
3. Buddy System: Go with 2–3 friends. Buy one of everything and share—it’s the only way to try all 8 items without exploding!
4. Navigation: Type “Jianshe Road Night Market (建设路夜市)” or “Jianshe Zhong Lu” into your map app. Near UESTC Shahe Campus.

Summary

For 100 RMB, you don’t just fill your stomach—you get a masterclass in Chengdu culture. From the “brave” pig brains to nostalgic egg pancakes, experience the five flavors of the city: Numbing, Spicy, Fresh, Fragrant, and Sweet.

Eating at Jianshe Road Night Market on a budget gives you a true taste of Chengdu street food culture and a local food adventure that’s hard to forget.