Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is a high performance liquid-liquid chromatography without solid support, so it is of unique advantages over traditional liquid-solid chromatography. In addition to a brief introduction of CCC separation mechanism, CCC application in separation of functional food ingredients, natural pigments, flavors and fragrances, preparation of standard sample, sample pretreatment of food analysis were reviewed in this paper. Problems and future development of CCC were also discussed.