Popular Hot Pot Chain Hai Di Lao Is Finally Opening Its 1st Outlet In Malaysia On 27 March
Two more outlets - one in KL and another in Penang - are also in the works.
By Samantha Khor — 15 Oct 2018, 02:11 PM — Updated about 5 years ago
Sichuan hot pots and free manicures... here we come!
Five years after Hai Di Lao Huo Guo (海底捞火锅) decided to branch out overseas, the popular hot pot chain is finally opening its first outlet in Malaysia!
Founded in the Sichuan province of China way back in 1994, Hai Di Lao's chain of hot pot restaurants opened its first ever overseas outlet in Singapore in December 2012, and has since expanded to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and even US.
Hai Di Lao Hot Pot will soon be making its debut in Malaysia on the ground floor of Sunway Pyramid Hotel
Currently under renovation, the hot pot restaurant will occupy the massive space that was previously occupied by the Taste Enclave food court.
The chain is also set to open a second outlet in Pavilion KL as well as its first Penang branch in Gurney Paragon Mall.
So what's the big deal with Hai Di Lao?
Food aside, the hot pot chain is renowned for their legendary customer service, which starts from the moment you enter the hours-long queue for a table.
To curb hangry monsters, Hai Di Lao restaurants offer free snacks and drinks as well as a variety of services to keep customers entertained as they wait in line
The waiting area boasts a snack bar that offers complimentary popcorn, chips, fresh fruit, and even beverages. Just don't overindulge at the snack bar, you want to leave more than enough space in your tummy for the hot pot. ;)
Waiting customers can also keep themselves occupied with boardgames and reading material at the waiting area, or simply head over to the manicure studio for a free manicure (seriously).
There's also a designated play area for you to "deposit" your children in while you munch on snacks or get your nails done. :p
The pampering does not stop there. When you finally get a table, you will be given a hot towel as well as an apron and a hairband to wear so you don't dirty your clothes or ter-eat your own hair.
Don't worry about accidentally splashing soup on your phone or bag, the staff will also give you a screen protector (which they will apply for you) as well as a plastic baggy for your phone and handbags/backpacks.
As for the food, take note that all orders are à la carte, including the soup stocks, fresh premium ingredients, and the variety of homemade sauces
Soup stocks come in flavours like chicken, mushroom, tomato, seafood, laksa, and the restaurant's spicy Sichuan pot. While most hotpot restaurants lets you have a choice of two soups, you can opt to have four soup flavours at the same time.
All ingredients are freshly-made in-house, including the shrimp paste, sauces, and of course, the gong fu mian - noodles artistically handmade and pulled right before your very eyes.
