One of China’s most popular restaurant chains, Haidilao, has been forced to offer massive compensation to thousands of customers after a bizarre viral video showed two teenage boys urinating into a boiling hotpot at one of its outlets in Shanghai.

What Happened?

The now-infamous clip, filmed in February, captures the boys standing on a table inside a private dining room at a Haidilao restaurant in Shanghai. They urinated directly into the steaming hotpot broth. 

Shanghai police have since detained the two 17-year-olds in connection with the incident.

Haidilao Responds, But Is It Too Late?

Following intense public backlash, Haidilao issued an apology and announced legal action against those responsible. The restaurant admitted that its staff was completely unprepared for such a situation.

“We fully understand that the distress caused to our customers by this incident cannot be fully compensated for by any means, but we will do our utmost to take responsibility,” Haidilao said in a statement.

To regain customer trust, the company has promised compensation to anyone who dined at the restaurant between February 24 and March 8 – over 4,000 orders. Affected customers will receive a full refund plus an additional 10 times that amount.

Public Outrage: Too Little, Too Late?

While Haidilao has acted swiftly after the video’s emergence, many Weibo users remain unimpressed, slamming the chain for its delayed response.

“Where was this (apology) at the beginning? Wouldn’t it have been better to say this right from the start?” one user commented.

Haidilao, known for its interactive dining experience and flavorful broths, has built a loyal following both in China and internationally, with branches in the US, UK, and Japan. However, this hotpot scandal has left its reputation boiling over with controversy.

With social media ablaze and customers demanding accountability, the question remains: Can Haidilao recover from this public relations nightmare?