Haidilao Huoguo

Everybody loves Huoguo. That's what we call it in China. Some people call it steamboat, shabu-shabu, hotpot, whatever. Huoguo represents unity, reunion. That's one of the reason people like to enjoy it in winter. To drive away the bitter cold with the togetherness of friends and family. (Besides the 'hot' pot and muttons, of course)

There's one particular huoguo that is very famous in Beijing. But seriously, how special can a huoguo be? It's just a soup, with spices and vegetables and meat you buy in the market. But to enjoy Haidilao, you have to wait for 1 hour to queue (on a weekday), and spend an average 80kuai/person. Why?

Haidilao is famous for its superb, 5 star service. No matter you are a Chinese or a foreigner, a poor university student or a company CEO. They always smile, apologize, and answer all your impatient questions of 'when is my turn???' While waiting, the girls can enjoy manicure, kids can play online games, gentlemen can get their shoe shone. All of them are FREE OF CHARGE. Bizarre, eh? Wait until you finish reading this.

While waiting downstairs, the waiters continuosly ask you to wait upstairs because 'it's too cold down here'. They provide free flow of snacks, fruits, and drinks, as well as books to read, cards and board games to play. And when you're set, they provide you small pockets to prevent your cellphones get sprinkled by the soup, rubber band for the long-haired ladies, and listen to this: a small piece of cloth to clean your glasses that are blocked by the steam.

The huoguo itself is good. It is obviously different from the standard huoguo. We really enjoy the free flow of condiments and noodle-dance performance. But nothing really too WOW for the soup.

Whoever disappointed by Chinese restaurants' service, must go here and get yourselves treated as kings. 80 kuai and the 1 hour wait are totally worth it!

Address: Hongmiao, Chaoyang District, Beijing