Looking for a sit-down meal at Changi Airport Terminal 3? Chengdu Bowl (成都Bowl) is worth considering. Situated within Terminal 3’s public zone, Chengdu Bowl offers travelers a welcome departure from Changi Airport’s typical cafés, fast-food stalls, and dine-around franchise restaurants with its Sichuan-inspired menu and ambiance.
During my most recent trip to the airport, my family and I ate at Chengdu Bowl before heading home. Frankly, I didn’t have high expectations since airport restaurants are often more about efficiency than quality or value. While many airport restaurants charge inflated prices for mediocre food, Chengdu Bowl was one of the best restaurants I have eaten at while at Changi Airport.
Everything from the trendy decor and family-friendly deals to the mouthwatering yet appropriately spicy Sichuan dishes impressed me. Chengdu Bowl may not be the most authentic Sichuan restaurant in Singapore, but it is certainly a good place to enjoy a nice meal in a relaxing environment – especially for families and travelers.
Where Is Chengdu Bowl Located?
Situated in Changi Airport Terminal 3 (Level 3), Chengdu Bowl is conveniently located should you be departing from, arriving at, catching a loved one at the airport or just dropping by.
Another plus is that since it is located in transit, you do not have to be travelling to be able to enjoy the meal there. Perfect for residents looking for a place to have a meal before heading to pick up your loved ones from the airport or if your family is spending the day at Changi Airport and Jewel.
Unlike some airport food options where they promote quick dining, Chengdu Bowl presents itself more as a restaurant where you can sit back and take your time with your food.
First Impressions
First impression, you know you’re dining in a place that’s trying to be modern and hip.
Walk inside and you’ll find modern Chinese design meets cozy hospitality. Leather seats, marble top tables, hanging plants, woven lights and dim ambient lighting.
My favorite feature has to be the larger than life plants hanging from the ceiling. They really give you that feel of modern comfort. Paired with the warm brown tones that run through the resto, it’s unexpectedly fancy.
Seats are plentiful, and there’s even larger tables for families or groups to dine together. The open layout also allows for those of you rolling luggage to not feel like you’re packed in,
Family-Friendly Dining
Promotion-wise was another reason why Chengdu Bowl piqued my interest. They were running a kids eat-free promotion during my visit.
When you spend over a certain amount ($50 SGD), children will get a complimentary kids’ meal. This instantly won me over as a father dining with my young daughter. Eating at airport can get pricey quick, especially when you have families. Promotions like these helps parents save some money and enjoy their time dining with their kids too!
The staff were also friendly towards children. The entire place felt quite homely and welcoming for families. It wasn’t too crowded at the tables and didn’t feel super rushed as well.
Overall my daughter enjoyed her time here and had zero issues relaxing in the restaurant.
Recommended for families when you transit through Changi Airport!
What We Ordered
We ordered a variety of dishes to try and get a feel for the restaurant.
The highlights for me were the Sichuan- style stir fried chicken and fish fillet soup.
Each highlight represents a different side of Sichuan food yet were still accessible to most people.
Sichuan-Style Stir- Fried Chicken
If I had to choose a favourite dish it would be the Sichuan-style stir fried chicken.
The plate was literally piled high with green chillies, red chillies, dried peppers, garlic cloves and Sichuan peppercorns.
Just looking at the dish you could tell this is what you imagine a Sichuan dish to look like.
The chicken was juicy, tender with a slightly crisp exterior. Each mouthful was packed with flavour.
There was fragrance and sweetness from the garlic. There was heat from the variety of chillies, but not too overwhelming. Finally, the Sichuan peppercorns imparted a subtle numbing spice that intensified with each bite.
What stood out to me was how well they balanced the flavour of each ingredient.
A lot of spicy food is just plain ole’ spicy. This dish had more depth to it.
Texture from the chicken, spice from the chillies and Sichuan peppercorns, saltiness from the seasoning and aromatics from the garlic. It was absolutely addictive.
If you like Chinese spicy food, make sure you order this dish.
Suan cai yu (酸菜鱼) / Sauerkraut Fish
The next dish I tried was Suan Cai Yu – A Traditional Sichuan fish hot pot with tender fish fillets served with a savoury broth and pickled mustard greens.
This dish arrived in a big bowl with toppings of coriander, chilli oil, sesame seeds and dried red chillies. The Suan Cai Yu looked as tasty as it smelled.
The broth was amazing, smooth and rich yet not heavy with flavour. Each piece of fish was so soft, and fresh that it soaked up the delicious broth with every mouthful. I also loved how they used the chilli oil. Rather than filling the dish with spice, it gave the soup some fragrance and depth. Layering in more flavour made this bowl delicious and not too spicy.
This dish hit the spot. Full of flavour but not overly filling. It’s the perfect comforting meal you want to get while at an airport. If you’re looking for something hot to eat at the airport, I recommend you try the Suan Cai Yu.
How Authentic Is Chengdu Bowl?
If you are reading a Chengdu Bowl review, you are likely curious about the authenticity of the dishes. Let’s talk about it. This is subjective.
On one hand, the restaurant clearly models itself after Sichuan cuisine. There are Sichuan peppercorns, dried chillies, chilli oil, garlic, and many of the cooking methods you will see at Sichuan restaurants. That being said, the flavours might have been toned down slightly to suit local tastes.
Overall the spice levels are tame compared to authentic Sichuan food. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Otherwise, only people who can handle spicy food would be able to enjoy the restaurant’s offerings. Chengdu
Bowl strikes a nice balance so more people can enjoy its food. If you frequently visit Sichuan or know where to find authentic Chinese restaurants in Singapore, the food may seem bland to you. But for most people, I doubt you will notice.
Service Experience
Service was also excellent during my visit. Staff members were courteous and attentive without being too intrusive. Dishes arrived at a timely manner considering there were plenty of customers.
Menu items were also explained knowledgeably when asked. It was clear that the staff knew what they were talking about and were passionate about the food.
I love when service is this efficient so guests can have a relaxing dining experience. After all, that is what most peoplewant when eating at the airport.
Ambience/ Atmosphere
Chengdu Bowl excels in ambience. For an airport restaurant, it does a great job creating an environment where you can unwind and enjoy your surroundings.
The decor is modern with plenty of warm lights and nice furniture. It makes you forget you are eating your meal in an airport (at least until you need to go to your gate).
Chengdu Bowl is great for anyone who has some time to kill before their flight or just wants to meet up with friends for a meal at the airport.
Verdict: Dining at Chengdu Bowl won’t just be a memorable meal. You will actually enjoy spending time here.
How is Chengdu Bowl compared to other Changi Airport Restaurants?
It goes without saying that Changi airport has some of the best dining options at any airport. You have quite a bit of competition when your restaurant is located here.
Compared to many restaurants at Changi, Chengdu Bowl is a great option if you want some comfort food before your flight.
You do not feel like you are just grabbing a quick coffee and pastry from a cafe. There is significantly more effort put into creating unique flavours compared to fast-food joints at the airport.
Chengdu Bowl is also a step up from your average food court restaurant thanks to its cozy atmosphere.
For Chinese food at Terminal 3, Chengdu Bowl is among the best airports restaurants.
Is Chengdu Bowl Worth Visiting?
Yes. Definitely.
Comfortingly tasty food served up chic decor and family friendly touches at convenient location is hard to dislike. Chengdu Bowl ticks all the right boxes.
Their chicken was memorably spicy and the fish soup was satisfyingly comforting. Chengdu Bowl’s aesthetic interior design added to the experience, making you forget you were eating at an airport restaurant.
Expect milder flavours if you’re a hardcore Sichuan food fan but Chengdu Bowl will hit the spot for most people.
Changi Airport Terminal 3 regulars, travellers and families: go here when you need a dependable dish.
Final Verdict
Chengdu Bowl was better than I anticipated.
I was very pleasantly surprised after eating at Chengdu Bowl with my family. Food was tasty and filling. Especially enjoyed the Sichuan style dishes which were full of aroma and spice, but not too overpowering. Flavours have been toned down a bit to cater to the general traveler, but still packs enough kick to differentiate itself from other airport food options.
Service was quick, dining room was cozy and chic, and it was family-friendly as well.
I had expected it to simply be a solid airport placeholder meal but was surprised at how genuinely good it was. Flavor-packed China-region inspired dishes, comfortable dining area and family-friendly service come together to provide a dining experience that feels quite a bit higher-end than your typical airport fare.
If you find yourself at Changi Airport Terminal 3 and are looking for a satisfying Chinese meal before your flight, Chengdu Bowl is well worth considering.
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