Two teenagers filmed themselves urinating into a broth at a Haidilao hot pot restaurant in Shanghai on February 24, 2025. The incident, which occurred in a private dining room, was discovered four days later when the footage went viral on social media, prompting outrage and police involvement.
- Teenagers filmed urinating in hot pot broth
- Incident occurred at Shanghai Haidilao restaurant
- Outrage sparked after footage went viral
- Haidilao offered refunds and compensation
- Restaurant failed to prevent the incident
- Hot pot chain emphasizes customer service experience
The incident at Haidilao, a popular hot pot chain in China, involved two 17-year-old boys who were intoxicated at the time. They climbed onto a table in a private room and urinated into the broth, despite the restaurant having bathroom facilities. The restaurant management was unaware of the incident until social media users shared the footage, which sparked public outrage.
Following the incident, police detained the teenagers shortly after the video gained traction online. Haidilao admitted that their staff failed to prevent the act and took a week to identify the specific branch involved. The company stated that they had not prepared for such an incident, which contributed to their inability to maintain a safe dining environment.
Haidilao has since offered compensation to over 4,000 diners who visited the Shanghai branch between February 24 and March 8. Customers will receive a full refund along with cash compensation amounting to ten times their bill. The company emphasized that while they understand the distress caused, no amount of compensation can fully address the situation.
In response to the incident, Haidilao has replaced all hot pot equipment and dining utensils, ensuring that the area has been disinfected. The company operates more than 1,000 restaurants globally, including locations in London and Birmingham, and is known for its unique dining experience. This incident has raised concerns about food safety and customer experience at the chain.
This incident at Haidilao highlights significant lapses in restaurant management and customer safety. The company’s response aims to address the concerns of affected diners while reinforcing their commitment to food safety and hygiene.
