Chongqing - A bowl of steaming, aromatic Chongqing noodles is more than a simple meal—it’s a daily ritual for residents and a thriving industry in this bustling southwestern Chinese city.
Chongqing noodle stalls are found everywhere, from busy streets to hidden alleys. With just a few tables and chairs, these shops serve noodles topped with spicy chili oil, peppercorns, and green onions. Beyond a staple food, Chongqing noodles symbolize the city's cultural warmth and culinary tradition. Stick Noodle Producing Machine
A worker operates on the noodle production line at Chongqing Jingguyuan Food Technology Co., Ltd. in Dadukou District. (Photo/Tang Yi, Xinhua)
The history and cultural significance of Chongqing noodles are showcased at the Chongqing Noodle Expo Hall in Dadukou District. The dish's origins are traced back over 400 years to street vendors who sold freshly made noodles from portable stoves. Over time, these vendors set up permanent stalls, making noodles a daily part of Chongqing’s food culture.
"Chongqing noodles represent the city's character," says Liu Yuxuan, a guide at the expo. The variety of styles—from dry to soupy, mild to spicy—reflects Chongqing’s rich culinary tradition. The iconic numbing and spicy flavor highlights the city's bold and spirited personality.
Today, Chongqing has over 84,000 noodle shops, serving about 13 million bowls daily. These shops are central to the city’s street culture and offer a window into local life.
Chongqing noodles have evolved from a beloved dish into a major industry. Every 100 million yuan (about 14 million U.S. dollars) in sales supports the production of 2,000 tons of key ingredients like chili, peppercorn, and oil. The industry employs over 500,000 people and generates more than 40 billion yuan (about 5.62 billion U.S. dollars) annually.
An e-commerce host promotes Chongqing noodles at the 6th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade. (Photo/Peng Bo, Xinhua)
However, the industry was fragmented for years, relying mostly on local shops with minimal focus on branding or standardization. To tackle this, Dadukou District launched the Chongqing Noodle Industry Park in 2021, integrating resources to boost pre-packaged noodle production and expand the dish's reach.
Chongqing Jingguyuan Food Technology Co., Ltd., based in the park and also the first company in the city to obtain a production license, addressed customer feedback from northern China by refining the noodle’s texture while preserving its traditional flavor. Their efforts succeeded—during a July live-stream event, they sold over 150,000 boxes of noodles in just two minutes, generating sales of 1.7 million yuan (about 239,000 U.S. dollars).
With the rise of pre-packaged products, Chongqing noodles are expanding into international markets. The new packaging has not only changed the way noodles are sold but also unlocked export opportunities. In March 2023, the Chongqing Noodle brand launched at the 110th China Food and Drinks Fair, promoting its global expansion.
Located at the junction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Chongqing is well-positioned for exports. The noodles are now sold in over 30 countries, aided by the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and China-Europe freight train. "In 2023, our overseas sales reached 6 million yuan (about 843,384 U.S. dollars), with high demand in U.S. and Canadian supermarkets," said Li Junxi, general manager of Chongqing Kings Noodle Management Co., Ltd.
To support global growth, Dadukou District has partnered with state-owned enterprises to streamline exports and assist local businesses in navigating foreign markets.
A batch of Chongqing noodle products departed from Dadukou District for global markets in April 2024 . (Photo/Dadukou District)
Dadukou District aims to grow the industry to 30 billion yuan by 2026, with over 200 companies in the value chain. The district plans to develop a unified brand and standards system, making Chongqing noodles a key domestic and global player.
As the industry moves forward, Chongqing noodles are no longer just street food—they are a key part of the city’s economic future, poised to bring a taste of Chongqing to the world.
(Han Menglin, a reporter from Xinhua News, contributed the Chinese version of this report.)
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