Chongqing claims to be the home of hot pot (huoguo). The fun of hot pot is you can select from a number of different soup bases from spicy to almost a chicken noodle broth. Then you choose a number of dipping sauces and finally the meats and vegetables to throw into the pot that you cook at your own pace, similar in a way to fondue. Hot pot originated as the food of poor boatman who needed the warmth of the broth and the substance of tripe. So if you fancy trying the authentic stuff with chillies hotter than anywhere else in China, you are in for a real treat with the city's offerings. As the tears stream from your eyes and your lips swell with numbing pain, you will know you are eating authentic hot pot.

If you really can't handle the spice, "wo bu yao la" means "I don't want it spicy." The Little Swan the city's best hot pot, but it can be a bit expensive. Yangrou Guan on Minzu Lu and Minsheng Lu are both good streets for hot pot and also heaps of street food and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Shaanxi Lu near Chaotianmen Dock has steaming heaps of noodles. One of the best streets to find outdoor patios, good atmosphere and modestly priced food is Nanan Binjiang Lu. There is often live music on weekends, adding to the hectic and festive feel of the area. If you are not into Sichuan fare, you might get stuck hunting down a KFC or head to Pizza Almalfi near the Liberation Monument. Sofia's Coffee House has good café atmosphere, strong coffee and standard Western fare.