Shaokao

[2] Shaokao typically consists of heavily spiced, barbecued foods on skewers.

Concerns about air pollution generated from shaokao vendors associated with increased smog levels in Beijing have prompted restrictions.

When the fourth archaeological excavation was carried out in the Lehan cemetery, meat skewers were found in the M17 tomb.

[6] In the archaeological finds of the Liao dynasty, it was found that an unearthed mural on the Aohan Banner in Inner Mongolia was painted with three Khitan people in the coffin, sitting around the hot pot and eating skewers and clams.

[7] The origin of the kebabs or shaokao is generally considered to be related to the nomadic people, but when it appears and flourishes, the text is unknown.

In the 1980s, archaeologists discovered two stone carvings of kebabs in a tomb of the late Eastern Han dynasty, which was unearthed in Wulibao Village, Linyi City, Lunan.

In the early Ming dynasty, the beef was cut into cubes, soaked with chopped green onion, salt and tartar sauce for a while.

[8] In China, some shaokao food stalls also purvey other goods such as produce that are displayed hanging on sticks.

[2][9] Due to the increase of emigration from mainland China in the 1990s and beyond, shaokao restaurants are also appearing in the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries with large Chinese diasporas.

[10] Shaokao stand operators are sometimes reported to the police in Beijing by neighbors who complain about the smoke and aroma that gets into homes, as well as about concerns about food poisoning that can occur from improper meat handling and cooking.

[10] Chinese authorities have stated that shaokao operations and Chunjie fireworks are a significant cause of smog in Beijing.