Shao Kao (Chinese BBQ Skewers)

Charcoal-grilled skewers doused with cumin and chili—Shao Kao is China's most popular street barbecue, serving lamb, squid, mushrooms, and tofu. A single stall can sell over 500 skewers nightly, searing them over open flames for a smoky, spiced bite. This Xinjiang tradition now outperforms #8 Baozi in evening foot-traffic volume, with 40% more skewers sold per hour in cities like Chengdu. The key data point: 70% of vendors report using lamb, which is 15% cheaper per skewer than the typical grilled meat at sit-down restaurants, making it a budget-friendly crowd-pleaser.