Dining out is supposed to be a pleasant experience, where customers can enjoy hygienic, high-quality meals in a safe environment. However, a shocking viral incident at one of China’s most popular hotpot restaurant chains has shattered this expectation.
Two 17-year-old boys sparked nationwide outrage when they were caught on video urinating into a hotpot broth at a Shanghai branch of Haidilao, China’s biggest hotpot chain. The shocking footage quickly spread across social media, triggering public outcry and forcing the restaurant to take drastic action—including compensating 4,000 customers who had dined at the location.
A Disgusting Act Caught on Camera
The disturbing incident occurred in a private dining room at Haidilao, a chain famous for its interactive hotpot experience, where customers cook raw ingredients in a simmering broth at their table.
In the viral footage, the two teenagers can be seen standing on a table, laughing as they urinate directly into the bubbling hotpot broth. The act, seemingly done as a prank, has been met with absolute disgust from both restaurant-goers and the general public.
With Haidilao being known for its signature spicy broth, which usually contains a mix of soybean oil, chili, fermented black beans, and aromatic spices, this unwanted “ingredient” was the last thing anyone expected to be part of their meal.
Unfortunately, no staff members detected the unsanitary act at the time, allowing numerous customers to unknowingly consume the contaminated broth before the shocking video surfaced online.
Haidilao Issues Public Apology, Offers Compensation
As soon as the footage began circulating online, Haidilao’s management faced immense backlash, with customers demanding immediate action and questioning the restaurant’s hygiene and food safety standards.
In a public statement, Haidilao apologized for the incident and admitted that their staff had not been trained to handle such an unprecedented situation.
“In the early hours of February 24, two men urinated into a hotpot after dining in a private room at a Haidilao branch on the Bund in Shanghai,” the statement read.
“As management had never made contingency plans or given training for dealing with this type of incident, staff at our branch were unable to detect any abnormalities at the scene or uphold the safety of the dining environment.”
Recognizing the severe reputational damage, Haidilao immediately removed all hotpots, tableware, and dining utensils from the affected location and replaced them with new, uncontaminated items.
To compensate affected customers, the company announced that every diner who ate at the branch between February 24 and March 8 would receive:
- A full refund for their meal
- An additional cash payout—equivalent to 10 times the cost of their dining bill
This unprecedented compensation package has been viewed as an attempt to regain public trust, but for many customers, the damage has already been done.
Police Arrest the Teenage Culprits
As public anger continued to mount, Shanghai police launched an investigation and quickly identified and arrested the two 17-year-olds responsible for the disgusting act.
According to authorities, the teenagers were intoxicated at the time and allegedly carried out the prank under the influence of alcohol.
Local law enforcement confirmed that both individuals were being held in custody and would face criminal charges related to public nuisance and food contamination.
Public Reactions: Disgust, Outrage, and Calls for Harsher Punishments
News of the incident sent shockwaves across social media, with thousands of people expressing their outrage over the disrespectful and unsanitary behavior.
One furious user wrote:
“I can’t believe people would actually do something like this. This is beyond disgusting—it’s criminal!”
Another commented:
“How does this even cross someone’s mind? What kind of person finds this funny?!”
Some demanded stricter penalties, with one post stating:
“They should be banned from all restaurants and held accountable for every person they put at risk!”
However, a handful of skeptical users questioned whether Haidilao’s compensation plan was enough, arguing that the restaurant should face government fines and harsher food safety inspections moving forward.
Health Concerns: The Hidden Dangers of Urine Contamination
Aside from the shock and disgust, some experts have warned that consuming urine-contaminated food could pose potential health risks, particularly if the individuals involved were carrying harmful bacteria or infections.
While urine itself is sterile in healthy individuals, it still contains waste byproducts, and prolonged exposure to high concentrations of sodium and ammonia could lead to serious gastrointestinal issues.
Although historical records show that urine has been used in some ancient healing practices, modern medical professionals strongly advise against its ingestion—especially in cases where it is unknowingly consumed in contaminated food.
Can Haidilao Recover from This Scandal?
Despite Haidilao’s quick response and substantial compensation plan, it remains to be seen whether the company can fully restore its reputation following this horrific food contamination scandal.
For a brand that has built its success on high-quality service, clean dining environments, and premium ingredients, this incident has left a lasting stain on its image.
While some loyal customers appreciate the company’s swift action, others may never be able to return to the chain without questioning what’s really in their hotpot.
Regardless, this event serves as a stark reminder that food safety should never be taken for granted, and that even the most well-respected restaurants are only one bad incident away from disaster.