TL;DR
Zi La BBQ is Prestonβs smoky secret β a late-night Chinese street food spot dishing out spicy, cumin-dusted skewers straight from the grill. From lamb to squid, everythingβs cooked to order and best eaten hot off the stick. Open daily βtil midnight.
Prestonβs late-night skewer spot
Tucked behind Preston Market near 888 Supermarket, Zi La BBQ isnβt the kind of place you stumble into by accident. Itβs a destination β a smoky, sizzle-filled corner serving up Northern Chinese BBQ skewers until midnight, seven days a week.
Youβll find all the good stuff here: lamb, pork belly, squid, chicken wings, sausages, ribs, kidneys β seasoned with cumin, chilli and grilled to juicy, charred perfection. Alongside the crowd favourites, youβll also find regional specialities like pork intestines, beef tendon, lamb testicle and more. Rice cakes round it all out with a satisfyingly chewy bite.
Street food vibes, carpark setting
Thereβs no fuss β just coals, smoke and speed. The team works fast, the grill stays hot, and the food lands quick. Itβs got the buzz of a proper street stall, complete with cheerful chaos and the smell of meat in the air.
Come hungry, leave late
Zi La BBQ is open until midnight every night, and itβs packed for a reason. Whether itβs a casual midweek feed or a post-drinks pilgrimage, this spot hits hard and lingers long after the last skewerβs been picked clean.
Itβs not polished. Itβs not Instagram bait. But it is seriously good barbecue, and once youβve been, youβll know exactly where to find it.