I wrote 'no spicy' in the delivery app. The chef added extra chili anyway.

ChinaTravelMemo

My friend from Sweden has low spice tolerance. She lives in Chengdu. She ordered mapo tofu on Meituan with note: "Please no spicy."

The food arrived. One bite. Her mouth was on fire.

Why:
In Sichuan, "not spicy" is relative. To a Chengdu chef, mapo tofu without chili is like pizza without cheese.

How to get non-spicy food:
1. Don't order Sichuan food — try Cantonese or Shanghainese
2. Use exact phrase: "不要辣，一点辣都不要"
3. Order chains (McDonald's, KFC) for consistent spice
4. Safe dishes: tomato and egg, sweet and sour pork, steamed fish
5. Carry milk — dairy beats capsaicin better than water

My friend:

"I now order only from Cantonese restaurants. My sinuses thank me."

Anyone else lost to Chinese spice levels?