Xingshi Laotaitai Kaochuan (邢氏老太太烤串, Haxi)

Xingshi Laotaitai Kaochuan (Old Lady Xing's Skewers), Haxi branch, is at 25 Beixing Street, next to Gate 10 of Yuecheng, in the Haxi area of Harbin, near Harbin West railway station, in Heilongjiang province. It is a do-it-yourself skewer restaurant where diners select raw skewers and grill them to their own taste, a format popular in northern China. It is in the newer western part of the city, away from the historic centre, and is convenient for those arriving at or leaving from Harbin West.

Fresh lamb skewers are the emblematic order, with beef skewers and grilled seasonal vegetables as the other main choices. Skewers are grilled to order, and the restaurant is known for staying open until 2 AM, which makes it a late-night option unusual in Harbin. Seasoning is typically cumin and chilli, applied at the grill. Beer is the usual accompaniment.

The atmosphere is casual, lively and smoky, with groups of friends gathered around tables and a sociable, late-night mood. Noise levels are moderate to high, particularly on weekends. There is no dress code. It suits groups better than solo diners, and the interactive grilling adds to the sense of a shared meal.

A typical spend is about 70 yuan (roughly 10 US dollars) per person, putting it at the mid-price end of casual dining. No reservation is required, and diners can walk in, though groups can phone 0451-89985555. Opening hours are 10:00 to 02:00 daily. Evenings and weekends are busiest, and late-night trade is steady. The restaurant is a practical option for travellers on a late train arrival, since it is open long after most other Harbin kitchens have closed.