Love Grilled Fish or Kaoyu? Here’s a Must-Visit Spot in Chongqing

The Straits Times
The Straits TimesApr 3, 2026

Why It Matters

The recommendation highlights Wanzhou’s emerging status as a culinary tourism destination, driving visitor spending and preserving regional food heritage.

Key Takeaways

  • Wanzhou designated China’s kaoyu capital officially in 2018
  • Tiansheng Cheng Kaoyu Jie hosts top regional kaoyu brands
  • Xiao Jiu Mu Zi Kaoyu serves 24‑year‑old signature fish
  • Pickled peppers are homemade, tangy, and a cold remedy
  • Whole fish priced 108 yuan, feeds three adults comfortably

Summary

The video spotlights Wanzhou, a district of Chongqing that has become synonymous with kaoyu – a spicy grilled fish specialty – and recommends a single destination for enthusiasts.

In 2018, China’s food and catering authority named Wanzhou the nation’s kaoyu capital. The Tiansheng Cheng Kaoyu Jie market houses the region’s leading brands, most notably Xiao Jiu Mu Zi Kaoyu, which has been perfecting its signature whole‑fish dish for 24 years. The restaurant’s hallmark is a grilled fish topped with its own tangy, spicy pickled peppers.

The pickled peppers, made in‑house, are praised not only for flavor but also as a traditional remedy for colds. A whole fish is priced at 108 yuan (≈ SGD 20), sufficient for three adults. The venue also offers other Chongqing staples such as mustard‑dressed cold noodles, cumin‑spiced squid tentacles, and a non‑spicy kaoyu cooked with fermented soybeans.

For travelers and food‑savvy diners, the spot provides an affordable, authentic taste of Chongqing’s fiery cuisine, reinforcing Wanzhou’s growing reputation as a culinary tourism hub and supporting local producers.

Original Description

Wanzhou, one of Chongqing’s biggest districts, was named “hometown of kaoyu” by China’s food and catering industry body in 2018. The Tian Sheng Cheng grilled fish street has some of the country’s top brands there. Don’t miss fan favourites like grilled fish with pickled peppers.
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