Night at the BBQ

Street BBQs in Wuhan are one of the great things about the summer. Whilst many are open in the winter, it doesn’t quite have the same feel as sitting outside on a warm summer’s evening. BBQ is a slightly misleading term though – burgers, sausages and steak are not exactly on the menu. Most ‘BBQs’ are long narrow containers filled with hot coals over which they barbecue a variety of food. Most barbecues will have pork, beef, lamb, chicken feet (still don’t understand the attraction) as well as lotus root, sweetcorn, peppers, aubergine, potato, sweet bread, salted bread a variety of mushrooms, tofu and other assorted foods. Most food is thinly sliced and skewered on sticks, given a dose of spice mix (all BBQs seem to stock the same one) then cooked.

BBQ’s are typically open until very late, sometimes up to 2 and 3 in the morning which makes them a great place to grab a late dinner. This is also helped by the fact that food is brought to the table as and when it’s cooked, making sure you have a constant stream of food. This is particularly welcomed if you have taken the opportunity to have a few drinks which it really goes hand in hand with. All BBQ joints will stock bottled beer, typically around 3RMB/bottle (around 30p) and with the relaxed nature of eating you may find that you get through more beer than you realise. For those looking for harder stuff, Baijiu (Chinese rice wine) is also stocked everywhere and is as cheap as the beer. You may find that a number of things happen when you begin drinking Baijiu though, particularly on busy nights. It tends to go in roughly this order:

1.       Some local patrons (usually a group of guys) will notice you drinking Baijiu, upon which you will immediately earn their respect.

2.       In the spirit of friendship they will then drink several rounds of Baijiu with you throughout the evening (you will generally be expected to drink at least a shot’s worth)

3.       Upon them telling you that Chinese men can drink a lot, you feel a strange need to match them.

4.       The next morning you have a banging headache, the taste of Baijiu in your mouth and not much idea of how you got there.

Obviously you needn’t actually drink throughout the night, and whether or not this situation comes up, most people are very friendly. In fact that is one of the most enjoyable things about eating out, it is such a relaxed atmosphere that you can’t help but feel comfortable. Sadly this comfort rarely extends to the seating arrangements, which generally comprise of plastic stools of various colours. Most BBQ restaurants will have indoor seating (mostly used in the winter) but will also set up a number of tables and chairs outside. It is here that most people eat in the summer, and they are great places to eat, drink and watch the world go by. Then again you could down shot after shot of Baijiu with some locals, go adventuring around the city then remember none of it the next morning – it’s really up to you..