Shaokao (烧烤): The Best Night Food Experience in China

As one Reddit backpacker summed it up: "One of the best memories in China is sitting on tiny plastic stools outside at midnight, eating spicy lamb skewers and drinking cold Tsingtao." Shaokao (烧烤) is China's quintessential late-night barbecue culture.

1. How the Ordering System Works (No Menu Needed)

In most traditional Shaokao joints, you do not order from a paper menu. Instead:

1. Grab a plastic basket and metal tongs near the refrigerated display counter.
2. Pick raw meat and vegetable skewers directly from the fridge. Everything is priced per stick (usually 2 to 6 RMB per skewer).
3. Hand your basket to the grill master. They will ask: "Weila (mild spicy) or Bu la (no spicy)?"

2. Top Skewers for Western Palates

• Lamb Skewers (羊肉串 - Yang Rou Chuan): Seasoned with toasted cumin and chili powder. The undisputed king of northern Chinese BBQ.
• Grilled Enoki Mushrooms in Foil (锡纸金针菇): Cooked in garlic oil, scallions, and soy sauce.
• Grilled Eggplant with Garlic (烤茄子): Halved whole eggplant topped with roasted minced garlic and herbs.
• Chicken Wings (烤翅): Marinated and char-grilled until crisp.

3. How to Ask for Ice-Cold Beer

Chinese restaurants traditionally serve beer at ambient room temperature. If you want cold beer straight from the fridge, ask: "Yao bing de" (要冰的 - Cold ones please) or point to the refrigerator.

Strictly vegetarian, severe peanut allergy, or eat Halal? Use our full Multi-Language Dietary Flashcards before your skewers hit the grill.