Lai Tang Yuan on Jinli Ancient Street is a century-old Chengdu snack brand built entirely around its namesake dessert -- sweet glutinous rice balls, or tang yuan, filled with black sesame or peanut paste and served in a warm, lightly sweetened broth. The setup is a small, walk-up snack counter rather than a sit-down restaurant, fitting naturally into the flow of the Jinli pedestrian street where visitors sample multiple street foods on a single stroll. There is no formal dining room, no reservation system and no alcohol; the experience is a quick, inexpensive dessert stop rather than a full meal. The black sesame filling is the most traditional and most requested version, while the peanut filling offers a nuttier alternative. Given its snack-counter format and modest prices, there is essentially no wait beyond the time it takes the stall to portion out a bowl, even during Jinli Street's busiest hours.
| Price | ¥8-15 ($1-2) per person |
|---|---|
| Hours | 09:00-21:00 daily |
| Reservations | Not accepted, walk-in only |
| Address | No. 26 Jinli Ancient Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China |
Signature dishes
- Lai tang yuan (sweet glutinous rice balls)
- Black sesame filling
- Peanut filling
Good to know
- Known for
- A century-old Chengdu snack brand serving its namesake sweet rice-ball dessert on the historic Jinli strip
Weather through the year in Sichuan
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Sichuan.
Location
No. 26 Jinli Ancient Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
30.6425, 104.0465 View on map
Highlights
- Century-old Chengdu snack brand centered on sweet glutinous rice balls (tang yuan)
- Black sesame and peanut fillings served in a warm sweet broth
- Quick, inexpensive stop that fits naturally into a Jinli Street food-tasting walk
- Simple counter-service format with no wait for a table
Tips for visiting
- Order the black sesame filling for the most traditional version of the dish
- Treat it as a dessert stop between other Jinli Street snacks rather than a standalone meal
- Prices are very low, so it is easy to sample both filling options
- Eat it warm and soon after ordering, as the rice balls are best fresh
Accessibility
The stall is a street-level counter on the pedestrian Jinli Street, generally accessible on foot, though the street itself can be crowded and uneven in places typical of a historic reconstructed lane.
Frequently asked questions
What is tang yuan?
Tang yuan are sweet glutinous rice balls, here filled with black sesame or peanut paste and served in a warm sugar broth.
Is this a full restaurant or a snack stall?
It functions as a small snack counter on Jinli Ancient Street rather than a sit-down restaurant.
Do I need to wait long for a serving?
No, service is fast, with only a short wait even during busy periods on Jinli Street.
Which filling is more popular?
The black sesame filling is the more traditional and commonly ordered choice, though peanut is a well-liked alternative.