Beijing BBQ–Beijing’s Historic Iron Griddle Feast
When the iron griddle starts sizzling and thin slices of meat curl up instantly over the blazing heat, a puff of fragrant smoke carrying scallion and savory sauce rises — this is Beijing Griddle BBQ (Zhizi Kaorou)! Bolder than Japanese teppanyaki and older than Korean BBQ, it’s a sizzling feast rooted in the shadows of the Forbidden City.
1. Origin and History
Griddle BBQ originated in Qing Dynasty military camps, where Eight Banner soldiers grilled game meat on heated iron armor plates. It later evolved into grooved iron griddles called zhizi. In the Republic era, it spread into local neighborhoods, and the “Three Kings of BBQ” near Qianmen — Kaorou Wan, Kaorou Ji, and Kaorou Wang — made this once-military dish a citywide sensation.
2. Cultural Significance
For old Beijingers, gathering around a griddle is the coziest autumn and winter ritual. The free-spirited way of grilling and eating with long chopsticks reflects the city’s bold and open-hearted character. The raised center of the copper griddle also symbolizes “rising step by step,” a lucky sign in Chinese culture.
3. Ingredient Highlights
Authentic Griddle BBQ uses ultra-thin slices (about 1 mm) of Sunit lamb leg or beef ribeye from the Inner Mongolian grasslands. The marinade blends over twenty ingredients including Liubiju fermented soybean paste, Wangzhihe fermented tofu sauce, and rock sugar, finished with freshly made scallion oil to lock in the aroma.
4. How It’s Made
Masters heat the old iron griddle with beef tallow until it smokes, then lay the marinated meat slices flat. Using long bamboo chopsticks, they stir-fry rapidly — the meat sizzles with a sharp “zzzla” sound and cooks in 30 seconds. The key is letting the meat juices drip into the griddle grooves, creating a rich essence that deepens the flavor.
5. Flavor and Texture
The meat slices are slightly crisp at the edges and tender-juicy in the center. Lamb has a delicate dairy-like aroma, while beef offers a mellow, saucy sweetness. The best part is dipping the cooked meat back into the collected juices — a blend of smoky, savory, and scallion-rich flavors that’s simply irresistible.
6. How to Eat
The traditional way is to stand around the griddle, each person grilling and eating with long chopsticks. Pair the meat with pickled sweet garlic to cut the richness, and sandwich it in sesame flatbreads. Seasoned locals first grill scallion stalks for aroma, then cook the meat, and finally mop up every drop of juice with the flatbread — a ritual known as the “Clean Plate Action.”
7. Where to Try
For the most authentic Beijing Griddle BBQ, visit: Kaorou Ji (Yinding Scenic Branch), Yijucheng Griddle BBQ (historic hutong shop), or Eight Banners BBQ (modern fusion style). Expect about ¥80–150 per person. Order like a local by saying: “A traditional beef-and-lamb combo with flatbread and sweet garlic,” and they’ll know you’re an insider.
8. Tips for Travelers
“Griddle BBQ” is the English name. The best time to enjoy it is on chilly autumn or winter evenings, warming yourself around the sizzling grill. Choose booths with good ventilation if you mind the smoke, or stand at the open grilling area for the most traditional experience. Many shops still use century-old griddles passed down through three generations, their grooves infused with decades of flavor.
9. Easy Homemade Version
At home, you can use a cast-iron pan: freeze lamb or beef for easy slicing, cut into thin slices, and marinate with soy sauce, cooking wine, and oyster sauce. Heat the pan until water sizzles on contact, lay the meat slices flat, and cook quickly for 1 minute. Wrap them in crispy mini flatbreads (Zibo shaobing) for a close-at-home taste of this heritage dish.
Let this smoky, time-honored delicacy warm your Beijing journey! From scenic old restaurants by Shichahai Lake to smoky little grills deep in the hutongs, every chopstickful is a living fossil of 300 years of Beijing food culture. Be sure to copy the old Beijing style — standing on stools with chopsticks in hand — and let the sizzling sounds become the most unforgettable music of your Beijing food memories!
