Money saving tips for meals at Haidilao hotpot chain trend on Chinese social media, but not all are impressed

Customers are spending as little as US$1 per person to have meals at hotpot restaurant chain Haidilao, and sharing their hacks online

The restaurant has no minimum spending and says it will not discriminate between low- and high-spending customers

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Haidilao, a popular chain of Sichuan-style hotpot restaurants founded in 1994, has about 130 outlets across China. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 9:30pm, 16 Apr 2021Updated: 12:32pm, 19 Apr 2021

For just seven yuan (US$1), you can have a reasonably satisfying meal at a popular hotpot chain in China: just spread free ground beef over rice that costs five yuan, and add a two yuan egg and complimentary tomatoes to a plain water hotpot base – also free – for a simple tomato egg drop soup.

Tips such as these to save money at hotpot chain Haidilao have become popular on Chinese social media, but if the response to one woman’s post is any indication, some feel that customers are going too far and taking advantage of the restaurant.

Haidilao’s restaurants are known not just for their signature Sichuan-style hotpot soup, but also for offering a comprehensive dining experience. They have free snacks, condiments and side dishes, as well as services such as manicures and shoe-polishing for waiting customers.

Free fruits are among the attractions at hotpot chain Haidilao. Credit: Weibo

The restaurants do not have a minimum spend, making it possible for some customers to access the freebies at a very affordable rate by being conscientious about what they order.

According to a screenshot shared on microblogging site Weibo on Thursday, a woman with two children wrote that she “could not resist” bringing her children to Haidilao “for the experience” after seeing online tips to save money at the restaurants while making use of the free services.

The table of three went to a Haidilao branch in Xiamen, in eastern China’s Fujian province, and spent 27 yuan in total – ordering a free water soup base, a half portion of rice noodles, one raw egg and one bowl of rice.

A mother in Xiamen attracted flak after she took her two children to the famous Haidilao hot pot chain to have a meal for 27 yuan and complained about the restaurant’s service. Credit: Weibo

According to the post, which was originally made on social commerce platform Xiaohongshu, the woman found the experience “awkward” at first and was at a loss as to how to make a meal out of the items ordered.

Money saving tips for meals at Haidilao hotpot chain trend on Chinese social media, but not all are impressed

Customers are spending as little as US$1 per person to have meals at hotpot restaurant chain Haidilao, and sharing their hacks online The restaurant has no minimum spending and says it will not discriminate between low- and high-spending customers

Customers are spending as little as US$1 per person to have meals at hotpot restaurant chain Haidilao, and sharing their hacks online

The restaurant has no minimum spending and says it will not discriminate between low- and high-spending customers