Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport does a better job than most of feeding travelers real Sichuan food before they board. The domestic departures hall is where the action is — head to the food court on the upper level of Terminal 1 and you'll find a rotating cast of local chains serving proper mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, and wonton soup with that trademark chili oil slick on top. It's loud, it's bright, and it tastes exactly like Chengdu should.

For something a little more sit-down, Grandma's Kitchen and a handful of regional hotpot counters occupy the mid-concourse stretch of Terminal 2's international departures zone. Don't expect a full hotpot spread the way you'd get in the city, but the solo-serving numbing-spicy broths with thinly sliced beef are genuinely satisfying, especially if you're about to endure a long-haul flight. Pair it with a cold Tsingtao or a sweetened soy milk and you're doing just fine.

If you're in a rush or just want a snack, the convenience kiosks near most gates stock vacuum-packed rabbit heads — the iconic Chengdu street snack that locals actually buy by the bag to bring home as gifts. There's also plenty of zha ji (crispy fried chicken with Sichuan peppercorn) at the fast-food counters, and a decent bubble tea scene near the international gates. The airport won't replace a meal in the city, but it's a surprisingly honest send-off.