Cheng Du Street Food — Restaurant in Toronto

Highly recommend - with FANTASTIC food & warm hospitality!!! Got the crispy pork & snow pea leaves soup + lightly sweetened iced jasmine lemon tea (the flavor of the jasmine tea leaves is the real deal) + Zigong stirfry chicken with Celtuce + supreme assorted topping hello dessert. Soup hit the spot - was creamy (non-dairy but from hours of boiling to bring out the flavors needed) & well seasoned/aromatic (like a well seasoned wok contributed to some of the favors) & greens were a beautiful emerald w/the right consistency btw al dente and well done. The chicken stir fly was WOW! The flavor & mala spice depth/complexity was something I hadn’t experienced before, where the seasoned wok imparted a nice smokiness to the chicken & they layered 4-5 different spices for heat: whole fresh green peppercorns or maybe shansho (tasted like cross btw lemongrass & white pepper that numbs your tongue if u eat too much) + red peppercorns + green pepper (not super spicy w/ a nice crunch) + black peppercorns + maybe chile. Plus I liked the healthy abundance of crunchy greens in there (like 50:50 meat to veggie ratio). 1 minor quip: I was accidentally given bone-in chicken when I asked for boneless. But it’s the server’s 1st day & he was so kind and patient with recommendations and ensuring the spice level was reduced* that I didn’t have the heart to mention it. The dish still tasted pretty amazing (just had to be careful of the bony jaggy pieces- I assume cooking w/ bone pieces in makes it taste better flavor wise like how when plums are tried w their pits it’s more wholesome in flavor but mouthfeel wise I feel its not as enjoyable since I have to pause to carefully separate out the bone shards from the meat.) Besides, all the staff and especially the front desk girl with highlights were so welcoming (as this was my 1st meal in Toronto straight off the plane & super tired after not eating since breakfast ~ 12 hrs). The experience really was heartwarming for me. Plus the team here is bilingual (English and Mandarin) and they thoughtfully provided a packet of flavored mouthwash after the meal (makes sense to me, after eatting a holy trinity or more of fragrant spices) + hawthorn berry candies as an after dinner digestif! I dare say their service is better than the average Chinese restaurant back home in California. (Don’t get me wrong - love Cali & I said the above more as high praise for going above and beyond compared to what seems to be Chinese American casual dining standards.) *= note my spice level of tolerance is not high, I’m ok with American Kimchi level of spicy but maybe not Korea Korean kimchi spicy. So they kindly tailored the spicy stir fry so it has enough of a heat kick without detracting from a surperb profile of different mechanisms of spicy if that makes sense. Like imagine if all you ever knew was just dishes made with primarily one spicy ingredient that dominates (usually chile or just pepper) - spicy spice monotherapy if you will. But this was like eating food made with a well balanced cocktail of spicy spices to enhance the dish. If anything it was like eatting a technicolor AR version of a symphony of spicy spices - and this is coming from a girl who has a relatively low heat tolerance. My favorite though was the clear konjac-based jelly dessert topped w/ a medley of osmanthus-flavored jiu niang/similar to amazake rice lees, red beans, ume or strawberry powder/ prolly the latter, lightly sweet mango popping boba that seemed to hold its natural fruit color, mint, couple of mini mochi/dangos, fresh mini cubes of watermelon - YESSS!!!- and what I suspect are raisins with the species of grapes used for ice wine so it’s like raisins with a slight acidity and refreshing flavor. Honestly, I can’t seem to find fresh fruit-based light refreshing desserts like this in the states! But do bring either CAD cash or Canadian based credit cards. American credit cards won’t on the current card reader. Lastly, portions here are generous! Update: Cheng Du’s on Uber Eats & US-based cards...

Cheng Du Street Food, a hidden gem I discovered thanks to Grok's tip, is a genuine treasure trove for any spicy food aficionado. I would have never thought such a place existed! Stepping inside is like being transported to the bustling backstreets of Chengdu, the capital of China's Szechuan (Sichuan) province. This region is globally famous for its bold, complex flavours, especially the "mala" (numbing and spicy) combination derived from chili peppers and Szechuan peppercorns.

The food here is a celebration of classic Szechuan cuisine, which is known for its "seven basic flavours": sour, pungent, hot, sweet, bitter, aromatic, and salty. Staples include dishes made with pork, chicken, beef, duck, rabbit, fish, and seafood, often featuring potent spice blends. The restaurant offers a great range, from non-spicy options to serious heat, ensuring everyone can find something delicious.

I ordered a couple of dishes to get a good sense of the menu: the Vegetable Fried Rice, the Stir Fried Beef Slice with Chilli, and the Stir Fried Beef with Mushrooms and Green Onion.

Stir Fried Beef Slice with Chilli (9/10)

This dish was the star of the show. It was an insane symphony of flavours that perfectly embodies the Szechuan experience. The numbing and cooling effect of the Szechuan peppercorns was perfectly balanced by the clean, potent heat from the chili. The snap of the onion provided a wonderful textural contrast, and the aroma alone was intoxicating. This dish hit a perfect level of heat, leaving a satisfying buzz. The only minor downside was the beef slices were slightly dry. For a perfect score, I would have loved them to be more moist and saucy, allowing them to truly soak up the fiery essence of the sauce.

Stir Fried Beef with Mushrooms and Green Onion (9/10)

While not spicy, this was a delicious and well-executed alternative. The dish was beautifully saucy and glossy, a testament to good wok technique. The onion and ginger worked together and created a deep, savoury foundation that made this meal incredibly satisfying.

Vegetable Fried Rice (8/10)

The fried rice was a delicious, well-prepared side. The medley of fresh vegetables was well-balanced and not overpowering. The dish was a tad on the dry side. A little more moisture or a splash of savoury sauce would elevate this dish to a top-tier fried rice.

The restaurant’s back-street décor successfully creates a unique and immersive dining atmosphere. It felt clean and well-maintained.

The service truly sets Cheng Du Street Food apart. Klay and Jennifer were fantastic—helpful, efficient, and genuinely passionate about explaining the dishes and the process. The service was fast and attentive, and the thoughtful additions were a delightful surprise: offering a bib and moist towelette at the start of the meal (a nod to the potential mess of spicy food) and mouthwash at the end show an incredible attention to detail. The washrooms were clean and well-stocked, which is always a plus.

The drink menu is also interesting, featuring a great selection of Chinese beverages alongside standard soft drinks.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Cheng Du Street Food is a must-visit for its authentic Szechuan flavours and exceptional service. I'm already planning my return trip to explore the rest of their...

Today I want to share with you a hidden in Chengdu, a small treasure restaurant - fly restaurant! Although the name is very special, the taste is very good! I tried some of the signature dishes on this visit, and every one of them was really delicious Stir-fried beef: It's my favorite! The beef is tender and juicy, each slice is fried just right, and it doesn't feel old at all. With the spicy seasoning, you can feel the aroma and spicy taste of beef in your mouth at the moment of entrance. Beef with Onions, ginger and garlic, rich flavor layers, eat a bite can not stop Taro 🐔 : also a must order, 🐔 the meat is braised very tastefully, the meat is smooth and tender, with a light spicy flavor. The potatoes inside are soft and sweet, complementing the delicacy of the 🐔 meat. Every bite is full of happiness, especially for a pot in cold Toronto Spicy, numbing, especially for those who like heavy taste! Each bite is a taste of pleasure, so hot you call it Hot and sour potato shreds: They are an antidote to greasy dishes! The shredded potatoes are crispy, each thin and long, with just the right amount of sour and spicy flavor. Both spicy and sour, it's very appetizing. After eating those heavy dishes, a mouthful of hot and sour potato shreds is really a great match The waiters are super warm and attentive! Whether it was ordering or serving, the service was very prompt, smiling and warm. Any questions can help me in time, the service experience is very good The environment of the fly restaurant is a very unique waste wind, very small, but it has a different flavor. The decor is simple and interesting, not luxurious, but full of character. Especially suitable for those who like unique experiences to punch in The shop experience of Fly Restaurant is really great! Each dish was memorable and the service was thoughtful. If you also like the authentic cuisine of Chengdu, don't miss this...