Halal food in Chongqing: five places to eat

Sightseeing around Jiefangbei makes it easy to grab spicy noodles near Shibati or sit down for hotpot at Jiaochangkou. Across the river in Longxi, two neighbouring restaurants serve hearty lamb and Xinjiang sharing plates. Over in Guanyinqiao, a quiet noodle shop offers clear beef broth when you prefer a milder meal.

Yuxiaomu: Chongqing noodles near Shibati

渝小穆重庆清真小面(十八梯店) serves classic spicy noodles without a long sit-down wait. Good dishes to try include pea and minced-meat noodles (豌杂面), beef wontons (牛肉抄手), and sour-and-spicy glass noodles (酸辣粉). It makes a quick stop before walking down through Shibati and around Jiefangbei. Expect to spend about CNY 18 (≈ USD 2.7 ) per person.

The shop is at 新华路较场口78附1, close to Jiaochangkou Exit 10A. Opening hours are 08:00–22:00. Our street-food guide explains other local snacks you will see across the city.

Ma Duizhang: a halal hotpot dinner at Jiaochangkou

Choose 马队长重庆清真火锅(较场口店) when you want a bubbling hotpot dinner right in the city centre. Recommended items to order include beef meatballs (牛肉丸), sliced beef chuck (牛上脑), and broad Dingxi noodles (定西宽粉). A split pot with two broths (鸳鸯锅) helps everyone at the table choose their own spice level. Budget around CNY 78 (≈ USD 12 ) per person.

The restaurant is inside 渝亚大厦, 中兴路7号附1, near Jiaochangkou Exit 4. Opening hours run from 11:00 to 06:00 the next morning, so it also suits a late dinner. Drinking alcohol is prohibited inside. Check our hotpot ordering guide for tips on mixing a dipping sauce and cooking ingredients.

Deyuan: clear-broth beef noodles in Guanyinqiao

清真·德元兰州纯汤牛肉面(重庆首店) is a great pick for a mild, comforting solo lunch. Start with a steaming bowl of clear-broth beef noodles, and add sliced braised beef (酱牛肉) or grilled lamb skewers (羊肉串) for a larger meal. Budget about CNY 25 (≈ USD 3.7 ) per person.

Find it at 建新东路36附78-1, near Liyuchi Station (Line 10), Exit 2A. Opening hours are 09:00–21:00. Use the full Chinese name when searching on maps, as this shop is completely separate from an older Chongqing brand with a similar name.

Xibeilou: lamb ribs to share

Xibeilou has been serving diners for years and is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

If you want a meal focused on lamb, head to 西北楼手抓(清真). The signature dish is hand-eaten tender lamb ribs (手抓羊排). Pair them with grilled lamb skewers (羊肉串), fresh wild-onion salad (凉拌沙葱), and house-made yoghurt (手工酸奶). Expect to spend about CNY 84 (≈ USD 13 ) per person.

The restaurant is located at 松牌路米兰天空101附25, near Longxi Station Exit 1C. Dining hours are 10:00–14:00 and 16:30–22:00. It is a great sit-down dinner choice when your group wants lamb dishes instead of another spicy hotpot.

Silk Road Xiangfei: a Xinjiang meal for a group

Pick 清真·丝路香妃新疆餐厅 for hearty sharing plates from northwestern China. Good dishes to order include big-plate chicken (大盘鸡), grilled lamb skewers, stir-fried meat with noodles (过油肉拌面), and baked buns (烤包子). Large tables and private rooms make it easy to host a family dinner or a meal with friends. Budget around CNY 60 (≈ USD 9.0 ) per person.

The branch is at 松牌路101附24, near Longxi Station Exit 1C, right next door to Xibeilou above. Opening hours are 09:30–22:30. This is the Songpai Road branch, a different location from older references to Liujia Wharf.

Friday prayer and a meal route

For Friday prayer, head to Chongqing Mosque (重庆清真寺) at 重庆市九龙坡区创业大道299号, in Erlang, Jiulongpo. It has moved from its former Zhongxing Road site. Call +86 23 6384 4457 to ask when this Friday’s prayer starts and which gate to use: 请问这周五主麻几点开始，从哪个门进去？ (What time does Friday prayer start this week, and which gate should I use?).

Start with breakfast at Yuxiaomu near Shibati, then take a car to the mosque for prayer. Return to Jiaochangkou for dinner at Ma Duizhang. This route combines central dining with a separate mosque stop in Erlang.

Practical tips for halal meals and day trips

Search 清真餐厅 in your map app, and save the exact Chinese branch name and street address for your driver or navigation.

If you need to verify halal status directly, show the staff 请问有清真认证吗？ (Do you have halal certification?). To ask about ingredients in a specific dish, show 我吃清真，请问这道菜用了什么肉和调料？ (I eat halal food. What meat and seasonings are used in this dish?). Asking for no pork does not cover meat sourcing, cooking fat, stock, or alcohol in sauces.

To adjust heat levels, request 微辣 (mildly spicy) or 不辣 (not spicy). Because these words describe chili heat rather than ingredients, state your halal requirements separately.

If you plan a Wulong day trip or a day at the Dazu Rock Carvings, arrange lunch before leaving the city centre. Ask your driver to stop at a halal restaurant on the way, or pack dishes from a halal restaurant in downtown Chongqing before you set off.