Haidilao Offers Compensation After Viral Video Shows Diners Urinating in Hotpot

The Chinese restaurant chain is refunding over 4,000 affected customers and pursuing legal action against two teenagers involved in the incident.

A viral video captured two 17-year-old diners urinating into a hotpot at a Haidilao restaurant in Shanghai on February 24, 2025.
Haidilao confirmed the incident and apologized publicly, acknowledging gaps in staff training and response protocols.
The restaurant is offering full refunds and 10 times the meal cost as compensation to over 4,000 customers who dined at the branch between February 24 and March 8.
Shanghai police have detained the two individuals involved, and Haidilao has filed a civil lawsuit against them.
The incident has sparked public criticism over the delayed response and raised concerns about food safety practices at the popular chain.