Chef Barbecue Qingdao Review 2026: Local Lamb Skewers

Local Eats Near MixC Mall, Qingdao

Chef Barbecue: Authentic Lamb Skewers

Photography & Text by Aeryong

If you search for the best restaurants in Qingdao, you'll be overwhelmed by options.

Today, I'm sharing my review of a hidden gem I stumbled upon while looking for dinner: Chef Barbecue, an authentic lamb skewer joint located right near MixC Mall.

We initially wanted to grab dinner inside MixC Mall, but surprisingly, we couldn't find a dedicated lamb skewer spot. That led us to search the surrounding area, and we hit the jackpot!

Spoiler alert: With its prime location and mouthwatering food, this was one of the best dining choices we made during our Qingdao trip.

1. Location & Accessibility

📍 Chef Barbecue
CN 山东省 青岛市 市南区 瑞纳康都 B-1 层 Postal Code: 266072

📍 Chef Barbecue / 大厨烧烤 (Da Chu Shao Kao)

If you're using Baidu Maps or Amap (Gaode), search for:
Name: 大厨烧烤·海鲜·青岛菜(万象城店)
Address: 山东省-青岛市-市南区-海门路69号瑞纳康都B座1层

The location is incredibly convenient. It sits perfectly between MixC Mall and our accommodation, the Yihai Garden Hotel. We were exhausted from a long day of exploring and shopping, so being able to walk straight from the mall to dinner, and then right back to our hotel, was a massive plus. Accessibility gets a solid 👍🏻!

The massive glowing sign makes it impossible to miss, even if it's your first time navigating the streets of Qingdao.

2. Inside the Restaurant

Stepping inside, you get that quintessential Chinese local barbecue joint vibe. It feels much more like a neighborhood hangout than a polished tourist trap, which instantly gave me high hopes for the food.

We even spotted a few fellow tourists, which is always a comforting sight when dining abroad!

Keep in mind, the menu is entirely in Chinese. I highly recommend having a photo translation app handy to figure out your order.

3. The Menu

They offer a massive variety of skewers and classic dishes. Here is what we ordered:

Guo Bao Rou (Sweet and Sour Pork) / Grilled Chives / Grilled Sweet Corn / Lamb Skewers / Beef Skewers / Steamed Rice / Draft Beer

Since we had a child with us, the staff proactively asked if we wanted to omit the spicy chili powder from the skewer seasoning. I was so touched by this thoughtful gesture and immediately said yes! If you're traveling with kids or prefer mild flavors, definitely request this upfront.

4. The Taste Test

🍖 Lamb & Beef Skewers

The lamb skewers are heavily seasoned by default, making them the absolute perfect companion for a cold pint of beer. Asking for the chili powder to be removed was a brilliant move.

To my surprise, our child devoured the lamb skewers! I assumed the sweet and sour pork would be the favorite, but the lamb was the clear winner that night.

We also ordered a couple of beef skewers, which arrived on the same plate. My husband accidentally ate both thinking they were lamb, so I didn't even get a bite! 😭 According to him, they were just as delicious.

🍖 Guo Bao Rou & Grilled Sides

The Guo Bao Rou (Sweet and Sour Pork) was exactly what you want it to be: crispy on the outside, tender and chewy on the inside. The sauce wasn't overwhelmingly acidic, making it very kid-friendly. It's a must-order for families!

The grilled chives and sweet corn were fantastic additions. The corn had a sweet glaze that made it incredibly addictive—I ended up eating most of it myself!

The only minor downside was that the food cooled down pretty quickly. But since we visited during the colder months, that was somewhat unavoidable.

🍺 Local Draft Beer

My husband ordered the local special: 一厂原浆鲜啤扎 (Tsingtao Brewery No. 1 Raw Draft Beer).

He mentioned it's a style of beer you just can't easily find back home—it has a robust, full-bodied mouthfeel while still being incredibly crisp and refreshing. Paired with the savory skewers, it was a match made in heaven.

The total bill for this massive feast? Just 185 RMB! That's less than ~$30 for the entire meal.

I wasn't craving meat much due to morning sickness, so I stuck mostly to the veggies and corn, but I still walked away highly impressed by the flavors. My husband and child were even more satisfied!

If you're near MixC Mall and struggling to find a good barbecue spot inside, I wholeheartedly recommend stepping out and trying Chef Barbecue.

When those late-night lamb skewer cravings hit in Qingdao, this is the place to be!