Big city attracts expats with small-town feel (2)

Sascha Matuszak, a German-American who came to Chengdu 10 years ago to work as a freelance writer, had similar thoughts.

"People always say life in Chengdu is slow," he said. "It's not slow. Things are happening very quickly ― metros, skyscrapers and airports. But people here are cool about it."

He said Shanghai and Beijing residents find the fast pace of those cities to be stressful. Chengdu residents, in contrast, find respite from those pressures in the city's food and tea, Matuszak said.

Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, is home to many famous dishes, including mapo tofu and kung pao chicken.

Barnett said dining in New York is a serious ritual.

"But in Chengdu, people care more about food and taste," he said.

Barnett has worked in the food industry for more than 20 years.

He said diners in New York City are serious about matters such as the way a plate comes out, when it comes out and how it's served. People in Chengdu, in contrast, care only about one thing ― taste.