Chengdu Gourmet（Squirrel Hill)
Chinese restaurant · Squirrel Hill South ·
Sichuan spot with traditional & American Chinese eats
Sichuan spot with traditional & American Chinese eats
"For exceptionally good and exceptionally spicy Chinese food I go to Chengdu Gourmet in Squirrel Hill — its chef Wei Zhu has been a Mid-Atlantic James Beard semi-finalist several times, which speaks to the quality and heat of the dishes." - ByWilder Davies
"Chengdu Gourmet is our preferred group meeting spot, where we abandon our meal prep plans and go all out for family-style Sichuan dishes. They do great pan-fried dumplings and scallion pancakes, but the dishes from China’s Chengdu region are the ones to prioritize. Go for the minced pork-loaded dan dan noodles and crispy cucumbers with a garlicky dressing that you’ll go crazy trying to replicate at home. Also good are the fragrant Xinjiang-style cumin beef with onions and red peppers and a side of Chinese eggplant in garlic sauce. They’re BYOB, so before dinner, head to the nearby Cuvée Bottle Shop for a nice Pinot Noir to complement the cumin and garlic flavors, or grab a four-pack of crisp pilsner from Independent Brewing Co. to cool the heat." - elaine zedack, quayla allen
"Chengdu Gourmet is our preferred group meeting spot, where we abandon our meal prep plans and go all out for family-style Sichuan dishes. They do great pan-fried dumplings and scallion pancakes, but the dishes from China’s Chengdu region are the ones to prioritize. Go for the minced pork-loaded dan dan noodles and crispy cucumbers with a garlicky dressing that you’ll go crazy trying to replicate at home. Also good are the fragrant Xinjiang-style cumin beef with onions and red peppers and a side of Chinese eggplant in garlic sauce. They’re BYOB, so before dinner, head to the nearby Cuvée Bottle Shop for a nice Pinot Noir to complement the cumin and garlic flavors, or grab a four-pack of crisp pilsner from Independent Brewing Co. to cool the heat." - Quayla Allen
"Back when I covered Pittsburgh, my go-to at Chengdu Gourmet (from James Beard semifinalist Wei Zhu) was his braised beef stew: a deep-red treasure trove of garlic, scallions, ginger, and cilantro with cauliflower, cabbage, beef, and fried tofu triangles — a dish I still recall fondly." - Eater Staff
"Owner Wei Zhu is a James Beard Award semifinalist equally passionate about showcasing Chinese cuisine and adding his own special touches. The vast menu at Chengdu Gourmet reflects both interests, with traditional Chinese dishes and American-style Chinese dishes, as well as a section dedicated to new additions like silk tofu with crab egg and stir-fried frog. If you’re overwhelmed, try the double-cooked pork belly and tea-smoked duck, but any dish will deliver the comfort of a meal at your Chinese grandma’s house. Zhu already has a second location in the works." - Briana L White