Haidilao Hot Pot 海底捞火锅 @ 1 Utama Shopping Mall
Hai Di Lao is a popular chain of hot pot restaurants founded in Sichuan province of China in 1994. It is the largest hotpot chain in China and has expanded overseas with more than 1350 restaurants around the world, including in Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, United States and Vietnam.
I paid a visit to this world-renowned hot pot restaurant recently and if you wonder why it takes me so long to dine in here. Its premium price is the dominating factor that held me back. ╥﹏╥
Haidilao Hot Pot has distinguished itself from other hotpot brands due to its exceptional customer service, fresh ingredients and creative campaigns. Like any other Haidilao outlets, the 1 Utama branch provides free entertainment while the customers are waiting in line. Which restaurant offers free-flow snacks and manicure service to patrons? Well, Haidilao does! The waiting area boasts a snack bar, a corner filled with some boardgames, reading material and origami papers. And of course you may book yourself the aforementioned complimentary manicure service.
The spacious dining area is sectioned into a couple of areas which have a simple and casual setting with traits of modern chic design.
An unoccupied play area was spotted during our visit.
The dipping sauce is an integral part of the hotpot experience, the Haidilao self-service sauce bar (RM8.00/pax) is well stocked with a great collection of different ingredients and condiments, from soy sauce to sesame oil, from chili powder to cilantro, from garlic to vinegar. Unleash your creativity to make your own dipping sauce or ask their staffs for “Haidilau Sauce” instead.
The sauce bar isn’t just a sauce station. At this station, you can also fill up your plate with free flow of appetizers, pickles, fruits and desserts (ice cream & Tong Sui) to enjoy before, during, and after your meal. Suffice it to say, you definitely won’t be going hungry when you eat at Haidilao!
Pork Stomach & Chicken Soup + Toamto Soup (RM46.00)
The soup pot can be divided into either two or four quadrants and the soup base options included Mala, Tomato, Japanese Dashi, Mushroom, Sichuan Pickled, Thai Tom Yum, Golden Soup With Fish Maw and the Laksa broth that only available in Malaysia. All soup are refillable.
Both soups that we opted for were intensely flavoured especially the Tomato soup which we enjoyed immensely the appetizing tangy flavour of it. The Pork Stomach & Chicken Soup was equally satisfying, deliciously rich and peppery. It came with generous amount of pork stomach and there were chunks of tomato, corn and yam too.
Pork Jowl (Half – RM18.00)
Haidilao Signature Beef (Half – RM31.00)
Pork & Chives Dumpling (Half – RM11.00)
Handmade Pork Balls (Half – RM14.00) & Seaweed Ring Rolls (Half – RM14.00)
Chinese Cabbage (Half – RM7.00)
The menu is huge! There’s definitely something for everyone. From usual different cut of sliced meat, assorted meat balls, seafood, vegetables, mushrooms, bean curds, as well as a list of more “exotic” ingredients such as duck tongue, pork aorta, pork kidney, frog and pork brain.
The ingredients were fresh and I love a good ball in my hot pot, the Handmade Pork Balls always my family’s favourite option.
Haidilao Kungfu Noodle (RM10.00)
Needless to say, I didn’t miss to order it’s signature hand-pulled noodles. The staff performed the “noodle dance” beside our table, stretched and spun noodles and dropped them into the hot pot to the accompaniment of background music.
Haidilao Hot Pot prides itself on its impeccable service and I could truly experienced it when I was dining here. We were assigned to a service staff once seated. He explained everything to us politely and enthusiastically checked on our need from time to time throughout our lunch. The photo above showed that he was skimming off the scum from the broth. He also let us have a taste of the broths before cooking any ingredients and flavour adjustment can be made according to one’s preference.
This thoughtful hot pot basket can let you retrieve your cooked ingredients easily and prevent those noodles from slipping away.
The remarkable “Haidilao experience” doesn’t stop at the free snacks and manicure service. Hair ties, wipes for glasses, aprons, toothpicks, gloves and candies are provided too!
Verdict: Haidilao Hot Pot is indeed all about the entire package and experience. Albeit not cheap, but the prices are commensurated with the cozy atmosphere, good food and top notch service.
Haidilao Hot Pot 海底捞火锅
Lot G116, Ground Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Lebuh Bandar Utama,
Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: +603-7661 2678 / +603-7661 2679
Store Locator: https://www.superhiinternational.com/serve/storeSearch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaidilaoMalaysia/
Website: https://www.haidilao.com/
Very interesting! I had no idea they have other services in there. I just pass by only at 1 Utama. I heard that when they first opened, reservations have to be made way in advance because always full house. I did not join in since hot pot is not quite my thing.
PH, yeah, their services are unquestionably top notch and I was really amazed when myself really experienced it which made the money spent well worthy.
Yes, I’ve heard of this popular and pricey hotpot too but have never visited coz (like PH) hotpot is not quite my family’s thing. Understandably that the pricing is premium since they give you an entire package from free flow snacks to manicure. I guess the cost of it has to be factored in there somewhere. >.<
Kris, after this first experience I can totally understand why people so obsess with HDL and what I would say is the price charged is well justified with what you get from the dining experience.