Boston new store roast-cheap but delicious! Yogurt & steamed bun

🍢 Kaojiu: Brookline’s New BBQ Spot—Promising Flavors, Even During Soft Launch Soft launch kinks aside (out-of-stock dishes, we’re looking at you, lamb options), this place won me over. The service? A+—the staff was genuinely apologetic about missing items and grateful we stayed. And the food? For someone with a sensitive stomach (grease = bad news), this is a rare BBQ spot I can enjoy without regret. Quality ingredients, balanced flavors, and just enough oil to taste good—not overwhelm. Worth a visit, even with the pricetag. 🔥 The Standouts (Order These First) Beef Skewers 🥩: 6 stars. Tender, chewy, and packed with flavor—no greasiness, just pure smoky-savory goodness. Three per order, and I wanted more. Grilled Squid 🦑: 5 stars. So tender it practically melts. Perfectly seasoned, with a hint of char that elevates the sweetness. Grilled Eggplant 🍆: 5 stars. Soft, silky, and coated in a rich, savory sauce. Only downside? Tiny portion—order two. Crispy Potatoes 🥔: 5 stars. These are magic. Fried to a shatteringly crisp exterior, fluffy inside, and somehow not greasy (I used a napkin, just in case). The photo shows two orders—we needed every bite. Condensed Milk Mantou 🥢: 5 stars. Crispy on the outside, pillowy inside, drizzled with sweet condensed milk. Like a dessert and a snack in one—addictive. I ate three, no shame. Condensed Milk & Osmanthus 🌸: 4 stars. Bitter-sweet, jiggly, and balanced by sweet condensed milk and floral osmanthus. I loved the contrast—perfect for cooling the palate. 🥢 Solid Picks (Still Worth It) Grilled Cauliflower 🥦: 4.5 stars. Unexpectedly amazing. Charred, slightly smoky, and coated in a mild, savory sauce—bright and fresh, even among heavier dishes. Roasted Tofu 🧈: 5 stars. Firm, flavorful, and soaked in a rich sauce—great texture, no “blah” tofu vibes here. Grilled Chicken Gizzards: 3.5 stars. Tender, but under-seasoned—needs a little more kick. Grilled Yellow Throat (Huang Hou) : 3.5 stars. Chewy, but similar to the gizzards—could use bolder seasoning. 😐 The “Meh” Ones Big Plate Chicken: 2 stars. Disappointing. All the right ingredients, but zero flavor—no spice, no depth. Plus, $5 extra for noodles? Skip. Tempura Crab Sticks: 2 stars. Bland, greasy, and lacking crab flavor. A miss. Drinks: 3 stars. Grapefruit and hawthorn juices were fine, but the green one? “Weird” is the best descriptor (per my dining buddy). Nothing memorable. 🆕 Wildcard: Yellow Wine Egg Didn’t try it, but the table next to us called it “interesting”—take that as you will. 💡 The Fine Print Pros: Fresh ingredients, balanced seasoning, easy on the grease (great for sensitive stomachs). Cons: Small portions + high prices. Our bill (with tip) hit $50 per person, and some left hungry. Silver Lining: It’s a soft launch—kinks (like seasoning consistency and portion sizes) will likely smooth out. 📍 Kaojiu : Brookline. For BBQ that’s flavorful without being heavy, this spot shows serious promise. I’ll be back to try the lamb dishes (fingers crossed they’re in stock) and see how it evolves. #BrooklineEats #BostonBBQ #NewRestaurants