Yes, I finally tried Haidilao with Julie in tow, and we loved it!
Penang hot pot restaurants are some of the most popular places to enjoy meals with family and friends.
Julie and I were in the mood for something soupy the other day, but ordering for just the two of us at a Chinese restaurant seemed challenging.
When I asked Julie about the last time she had hot pot, she responded, ” Ten years ago in China! ”
Since my neighbor encouraged me to try Haidilao, I thought we would try it.
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Was Haidilao Worth The Hype?
While I wouldn’t line up for three, much less an hour, to get into any restaurant, queuing for a hot pot meal wasn’t my thing.
Every time I’m at Gurney Paragon, Haidilao has a long line of customers waiting – I can vouch that this is what people regularly do there.
I was the only person I knew who had yet to go to the reputed best-service restaurant.
Founded in 1994, the hot pot restaurant boasts over 935 outlets worldwide, including Malaysia, and is famed for its spicy malatang soup.
The hype surrounding the chain’s Gurney Paragon debut was insane.
For months, reservations were booked entirely, and if you wished to try the queue, you had to arrive early to receive a number.
People told stories of waiting in queue early in the morning to secure a spot for the afternoon session or, if it was not possible, the evening session.
Well, too bad if they ran out of numbers for the day.
Today, I got smart and called for reservations promptly at 11 AM when the restaurant opened. LOL.
It only took me seven calls to get through as I drove to pick Julie up.
I was a woman on a mission.
Today, I got to eat at Haidilao!
Entering Haidilao
There wasn’t even a line, so we breezed in and were served within 10 minutes!
No queue today on a Saturday, or to check my queue status on a QR code, as foot traffic has fallen in many malls.
It’s still mind-boggling to imagine waiting just for a seat in the early days.
A popcorn maker and snacks are in the waiting area for your amusement.
Yes, you read correctly: they feed you while waiting for food.
While I appreciate delicious food just as much as the next person.
I have never had to wait more than forty minutes for a table.
Despite all the positive internet reviews I’ve read, I’ve never tried Haidilao because there is no way I would waste three hours waiting for food – no matter how good it is!
Now is a good time to try it if you hate queues lines but have always wondered why this hotpot chain is so well-liked.
Haidilao Perks
As we entered, we saw a large waiting area. By the side, Hai Di Lao has a jewelry-making station equipped with string and beads, all the materials you’ll need to create charm bracelets.
Just next to that, you can pre-book your free manicure.
Although it’s common knowledge that people in the queue receive free manicures, you can avoid the manicure queue by scheduling your appointment in advance!
The reservation is only good for individuals who received a manicure card, which they can use on their subsequent visit, and only from Monday through Thursday.
Make sure you inquire with the staff at Hai Di Lao Malaysia about the availability of this benefit!
If you can avoid going to your nail salon, it’s worth it to save money.
The restaurant is massive, airy, and well-ventilated. It could easily seat 200 people or more.
Julie and I were led to partitioned tables.
At first, it was pretty quiet for a Saturday, but the tables were filling up fast!
The Real Value of Haidilao
While the queues can be notoriously long, sometimes lasting 2 or 3 hours, the restaurant chain has not only made its founder and owner a Forbes billionaire but has also garnered loyal fans.
They are known for winning new customers with great service and cheerful, efficient employees.
Who doesn’t appreciate the little things in life that make a good restaurant great?
The complimentary snacks, manicures, and smiles make a significant difference in converting customers!
Given the company’s unique slogan, it’s also not surprising that staff morale is high.
“Employees are more important than customers.”
Valuing people can indeed turn out to be a big business.
Haidilao Service
Haidilao is well known for its flawless service, which begins as soon as you enter the establishment.
While most of the staff spoke Mandarin, we found one who could explain the menu in English and Hokkien.
We were led to our table, where we were given lens wipes for our spectacles.
There are a few attentive waiters in each section.
Our waitress was amiable and accommodating.
Before showing us how to place tablet menu orders, she inquired whether we were new customers.
How To Order?
Unlike traditional hotpot restaurants, you must select a soup base that serves no more than two flavors before proceeding.
With the help of a special four-compartment pot, Haidilao serves four distinct soups.
Of course, you can choose the conventional one or two compartments, but remember that the soup will cost more the larger the compartment.
When the waiter suggested we order a two-compartment soup, Julie and I discussed how to get the most bang for our buck!
Haidilao’s signature dish is malatang, a hot and numbing chili soup popular in the Szechuan region.
We decided against Mala Soup and went with something a little less spicy. Julie ultimately chose herbal milky soup, while I chose tomato soup.
List of Soups
- Golden Soup With Fish Maw Hot Pot
- Tomato Soup Hot
- Spicy Hot Pot
- Three Delicacy Hot Pot
- Mushroom Soup Hot Pot
- Thai Tom Yum Hot Pot
- Sichuan Pickled Hot Pot
The Hot Pot Sauces
The sauces are not included in the meal and come at an additional cost of RM8.
However, there’s a diverse selection available.
In addition to the standard vinegar and soy sauce, they provide unique options like mushrooms, seafood, sesame, chacha (peanut and spices), oysters, and more.
The menu clearly indicates if there are nuts and allergens in the ingredients for those with allergies.
I wish I had the mixing recipe for sauces in English. We went by Instinct, and it turned out tasty!
How Much Food to Order?
All items on the menu are available in half or full portions, with half portions recommended for two people.
For proteins, we ordered Haidilao Signature Beef, Tiger Prawn, Haidilao Prawn Paste, and Melty Yolk Shrimp Ball.
We also got Seaweed Ring Roll, Fried Yam, and Black Mushrooms.
The main highlight at Haidilao is that the soup we ordered delivered our desired flavors.
There was nothing too peppery or spicy.
The tomato soup was flavorful, and the herbal soup was milky, creamy, and nice.
All the items we ordered were fresh, and we particularly enjoyed the Haidilao Signature Beef and Prawn Paste with Melty Yolk Shrimp Ball.
The brand offers various ingredients: lamb, chicken, beef, seafood, vegetables, and pork.
They also offer some unusual items, such as sea urchins, Duck Blood, liver, Pork Collar, Pork Jowl, and Pork Intestines, which are not conventional hotpot ingredients.
For dessert, the restaurant offers complimentary fruits.
Since it was Julie’s birthday, we received a complimentary fruit plate and a small slice of chocolate cake.
The staff offered to sing for her birthday, but we preferred to keep it low-key without the fanfare.
After all that food and the fruit platter, we washed everything with a refreshing bowl of Aiyùbīng.
Light and refreshing, chilled Aiyu jelly is a staple throughout the summer season in Taiwan due to its cooling effect on the body.
We also had two soft-serve ice creams, which were nice but not overly creamy.
Haidilao Review
I must admit that their team worked quickly and effectively like a well-oiled machine on the day we dined there!
Several amenities were available, including a designated sauce and dessert station and a manicure station for people who wanted to get their nails done while waiting.
Overall, the food was fresh, particularly the meat and seafood.
While there was a designated sauce and dessert station (RM8), the desserts were plentiful and included freshly cut fruits, with one notable exception.
It had a somewhat canteen-like atmosphere, with people jostling to mix sauces and take desserts simultaneously.
Yes, the restaurant was running full house by 1.30 pm
Cost Per Pax
Our total bill came up to RM214 with a discount of RM9.
We were unsure how that discount came about, as the cashier couldn’t speak English; it was Mandarin.
Nevertheless, we appreciated her efforts to communicate with me to retrieve the code sent to my phone.
Initially, it felt a little pricey by hotpot standards, costing about RM100 per person.
But I will say that the ingredients are fresh and premium – you can taste the freshness!
While you could get a hot pot buffet lunch at another brand for about RM49.90, we are okay with the prices we paid at Haidilao.
But we liked the meal and the experience, so we wouldn’t mind treating ourselves occasionally if there’s no queue.
After we paid, we checked out the jewelry-making station and made twin bracelets to remember the restaurant.
Julie and I love our twin bracelets! Happy Birthday Julie!
We will be back again for their top-level service!
Haidilao Hot Pot @ Gurney Paragon
Address: Gurney Paragon, 163D-L4-13 & 13A, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Daily 11 am–4 am
Phone: 04-297 1264
Google: https://g.co/kgs/wz4iy7E
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
