A Local's Guide to Chongqing Night BBQ: Experience the Sizzle and Soul of Chongqing Night Food

The Ultimate Chongqing Night BBQ Experience

As a Chongqing native, there's a certain feeling I chase every time I return home—a feeling of "烟火气" (yānhuǒqì), or the vibrant energy of human life. Nothing embodies this more than the smoky, bustling scene of a Chongqing night BBQ. The moment the sun sets, the city’s streets come alive with the aroma of sizzling skewers, the chatter of friends gathered around tables, and the clinking of beer bottles. The air is thick with anticipation and the delicious scent of meat and vegetables grilling over charcoal. This isn't just a meal; it's a social ritual, a taste of Chongqing's soul.

Chongqing night BBQ, or Shaokao (烧烤), is an absolute must-do for any food traveler. It’s an affordable and authentic way to taste the city’s incredible flavors. Here are some things you absolutely have to try:

For vegetarian and vegetable lovers:

If you love vegetables, Chongqing barbecue will still blow your mind! Chongqing’s grilled veggies—amped up with fiery, numbing spices—can be super addictive. Here’s the ultimate "Chongqing Barbecue Veggie Hall of Fame" for plant-based enthusiasts—prepare to have your expectations shattered!

• Grilled Sweet Potato Noodles (苕皮): Crispy-chewy skin stuffed with pickled radish and scallions (upgrade: add minced meat)—a Chongqing street food legend!

• Grilled Tofu Skins (烤豆干): Also a must try! No Chongqing veggie barbecue feast is complete without grilled tofu skins (豆干)—a smoky, chewy, flavor-packed staple that soaks up spices like a champ. It also has a stuffed Version, Some vendors fold it around pickled mustard greens (酸菜) or chili relish before grilling.

  

• Buttered Toast Buns (烤小馒头): Sweet version: brushed with condensed milk; savory version: chili oil for a crispy-spicy bite.

  

• Grilled Garlic Chives (韭菜): The king of Chongqing grilled veggies! Flash-grilled to lock in juiciness, brushed with chili oil and dusted with spice—crisp-tender with charred edges, balancing spice and natural sweetness.

  

• Charred Eggplant (烤茄子): Split open and smothered in garlic sauce until silky-soft, topped with pickled chilies for tangy heat.

  

• Sizzling "Burst" Tofu (包浆豆腐): Crispy outside, molten inside, served with fish mint, chili powder, and Sichuan pepper—watch out, it’s HOT!

  

• Grilled Garlic Scapes (烤蒜苔): A Chongqing favorite dubbed "the veggie version of meat"—wrinkled slightly, dusted with cumin, with a texture like tender squid tentacles.

• Foil-Grilled Enoki Mushrooms (锡纸金针菇): Steamed in garlic, chilies, and sesame oil until broth forms—slurp it up for a brain-melting spicy umami punch.

For meat lovers:

• Grilled Pork Belly (烤五花肉): Fatty and lean layers, charred until crispy, sprinkled with chili and Sichuan pepper powder.

• Spicy Beef Skewers (麻辣牛肉串): Tender beef marinated with chili and Sichuan pepper, grilled to medium-rare for maximum tenderness, topped with cumin for an extra kick.

  

• Garlic Pork Ribs (蒜香排骨): Small rib sections basted with garlic sauce and slow-grilled—the meat near the bone is irresistibly crispy and fragrant.

• Charred Pig Nose Tendon (炭烤猪鼻筋):A Chongqing specialty! Chewy and bouncy, best dipped in dry spice mix (chili powder + crushed peanuts).

  

If you don't mind Offal, or want to do a food challenge, because why not?

• Grilled Pork Brain (烤脑花): Served in a foil box, topped with pickled peppers, Sichuan pepper oil, and preserved vegetables—creamy like tofu, best enjoyed extra spicy and numbing!

• Stir-Fried Kidney Slices (火爆腰片):Thinly sliced kidneys flash-grilled with loads of onions and pickled peppers—no gaminess, just crisp tenderness.

• Duck Intestine/Crispy Sausage Skewers (鸭肠/脆肠串): Order them by the bunch! Grilled until slightly curled, with a satisfying crunch—perfect with ice-cold beer.

Woow I am drooling while writing this blog lol Every time I'm back in my hometown, a night of BBQ is non-negotiable. The sizzle and smoke from the charcoal fire, the incredible blend of spicy, salty, and savory flavors—it all transports me back to the heart of what makes Chongqing food so special. It's a taste of home that I can't find anywhere else.

Join Us for a Chongqing Food Tour

Want to experience this authentic night BBQ scene with a Chongqing local who can guide you through the best spots and help you order? Visit our website or contact us today to book a special Chongqing food tour. Let us show you the best of Chongqing's local food, from hidden night markets to famous shaokao stalls. Don’t just visit Chongqing; eat like a local and discover the real "烟火气" for yourself.