As the sun began to set, the aroma of sizzling meat filled the air, drawing in even more hungry customers. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed through the streets as families and friends gathered around tables at barbecue restaurants, eagerly awaiting their meals.

Like the open and inclusive traits of the city, Kunming barbecue is not limited by any particular style or tradition, and everything can be grilled to perfection. Coupled with delicious dips and sauces, the taste rivals that of Zibo barbecue. The following must-try dishes represent the essence of Kunming barbecue.

Baked potatoes

In the world of Kunming barbecue, the position of potatoes is unbeatable, and locals always order them for their barbecue. Why are these plain potatoes so popular? It's all thanks to the dipping sauces. At the barbecue stalls, there are 30 to 40 different dipping sauces available, including leek flower sauce, garlic oil, garlic paste, fish mint, fermented chili bean paste, soy sauce with small chili peppers, fermented bean curd sauce, spicy sauce, sour and spicy sauce, dried chili peppers, peanut powder, sesame oil, five spice powder, and fermented black beans. With no special skills required, anyone can mix a unique flavor and give ordinary potatoes an endless taste.

Zhaotong Meat Skewers 

In Kunming's streets, the stands of Zhaotong Meat Skewers can be seen everywhere. When night falls, diners appear at small and large barbecue stands. Skewer masters skillfully brush oil and sprinkle chili powder onto the meat skewers, constantly grilling and flipping them. Oil droplets slide into the glowing red charcoal and sizzle with the aroma of charcoal, spreading a mouth-watering fragrance. By the way, diners who know how to eat small meat skewers never order by number, but by the amount of skewers they want.

Jianshui Grilled Tofu

With a pair of chopsticks and a stove, the mouth-watering Jianshui Grilled Tofu comforts the appetite of foodies from all corners. The famous grilled tofu in Jianshui, Yunnan is renowned throughout the region. The perfectly grilled tofu is paired with various specially seasoned dipping sauces, and the smoky flavor of the tofu blends seamlessly with the spicy dipping sauce, creating an explosion of flavors in your taste buds that makes you reluctant to put down your chopsticks.

Roasted Pig Trotters

Pig trotters that have been fully marinated are grilled over charcoal, making their color even more alluring. The marinated pig trotters should not be grilled for too long to maintain a crispy exterior and a glutinous interior. The balance of fat and lean meat, as well as the abundance of collagen, make this dish irresistible. And remember, it is the utmost respect for the pig trotters to eat them hot.

Lemongrass Grilled Fish

Using lemongrass as a seasoning, part of it is stuffed into marinated carp or tilapia, and the rest is used to wrap the fish, coated with a suitable amount of lard, and slowly grilled over low heat until thoroughly cooked with a fragrant and crispy flavor.

Grilled Chicken Feet

Grilled chicken feet are a popular delicacy at barbecue stalls in Kunming. Each stall has its secret marinade, resulting in unique and distinct flavors. Charcoal-grilled to perfection, the aroma of the chicken feet is irresistibly tempting.

Grilled Eggs

Grilled eggs, a delicious and ceremonious barbecue dish, are one of the highlights of Kunming barbecue. Tender and smooth eggs are mixed with Yunnan people's favorites such as fish mint, cilantro, and small chili peppers placed in a foil bowl and grilled, emitting a fragrance that can be smelled even ten meters away.

Garlic-flavored Beef

Place the oil dish used for cooking garlic-flavored beef on the barbecue grill and heat it. Add a few pieces of butter and then gently put in the beef marinated in rich, garlicky flavor to blanch it in the oil dish. The fresh red beef instantly changes color and becomes delicious. The beef and garlic oil come together as one, making the dish incredibly fragrant and tender, and more delicious the more you chew.

Grilled Brain Flowers

Compared to hotpot-boiled brain flowers, grilled brain flowers offer a more complex flavor profile. These brain flowers are grilled over charcoal until fully cooked, resulting in a crispy exterior with a hint of charred aroma, while the inside remains tender and fatty. The most anticipated moment is when you take a bite, as the unique flavor and texture can satisfy you with its high cholesterol level.

Roasted Vegetables

In Kunming, countless types of vegetarian dishes can be roasted. From small melons and garlic chives to cultivated mushrooms, green peppers, and eggplants...the fresh vegetables retain their original flavors when roasted and are best paired with various dipping sauces. In particular, roasted eggplant is worth a try. The whole eggplant is cut in half and topped with meat sauce, chili flakes, cilantro, and other condiments before being grilled over high heat and served. It's so delicious that one cannot resist but ask for a bowl of rice on the side.

Last but not least, the spotlight goes to the dipping sauces and condiments that dominate the Kunming BBQ scene.

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(Editors: Rachel, Amy)