With progress of urbanization, Chengdu has become an important metropolis where multiple ethnic groups reside. As a unique cultural symbol of Yi people, Yi ethnic food culture exchanges and integrates with other ethnic cultures in Chengdu. With a case study of Yi ethnic food culture in Chengdu, this paper explores the path of urban ethnic food in forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Through observations and interviews with Yi ethnic food restaurants, we sort out and clarify the origin and evolution of Yi ethnic food in Chengdu, and analyze its positive role in promoting the interaction, exchange and integration among various ethnic groups. Diners co-live in the same space and share Yi food and musical activities; through interactions, they generate a sense of collective exhilaration and strengthen their common national cultural identifications, thus laying a solid foundation for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. It is necessary to further protect and inherit Yi ethnic food culture, to expand its dissemination channels, to make food culture a bridge to promote the cooperation and development of various ethnic groups in fields such as economy and culture, so that we can locate many more effective paths for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.