Haidilao's Medan Debut: A Legendary Service Fail?
qponx
2026-03-07
Haidilao has finally landed in Medan, but does it live up to the hype? This review dives into the city's buzziest new hot pot spot, covering the insane queues and energetic atmosphere. While the food, especially the "Spicy Mala Milk" broth, gets a thumbs-up, the legendary service shows some opening-day cracks—no dancing noodles! Get the scoop on the highs and lows, plus essential money-saving tips like student and late-night discounts to help you decide if it's worth the visit.
Medan finally has a Haidilao! The moment the news dropped, my social media feed blew up. But I still underestimated the enthusiasm of the people in Medan… When I got to Deli Park, the line was so long, Anjay! It wrapped around at least three times, right? Felt like the whole city of Medan was here to Nongkrong. While waiting in line, I was thinking, what kind of legendary hot pot is worth this long of a wait? 🤔
On-the-Scene Report: Lively or Just Loud?
The first impression after sitting down was, Mantap! The environment is clean and modern, and the atmosphere is super energetic. But to be honest, since it just opened, it was so crowded that it was a bit noisy and chaotic, so trying to just Chill quietly is probably a bit difficult. But for a gathering with friends, this kind of lively vibe is actually just right.
We ordered the four-broth pot, and of course, we had to get the legendary "Spicy Mala Milk" soup base! The flavor was genuinely good; the spicy mala and creamy milkiness were perfectly balanced, and the texture of the meat cooked in it was amazing. The overall quality of the dishes was on point, consistent with Haidilao's usual standards. But the noodle-pulling guy, we were so looking forward to the Dancing Noodles, but he said he was too busy and wouldn't be performing today... Emmm, okay, understandable but still a little disappointing.
Let's Be Real, It's Not All Praise
Honestly, while the overall flavor and service are great, there's still some chaos that comes with a new opening. For example, no one taught us how to use the ordering system, and you could see with your own eyes that the waiters and waitresses were so busy they were flying, so sometimes their response was a bit slow.
As for the price… it's definitely not cheap. That vegetable platter was 106K, and the portion size felt just so-so. If you're looking for value for money, your wallet might hurt a little. So, don't just rush in, check out the money-saving guide below first!
【A Foolproof Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls & Saving Money】
Here are some heartfelt tips I've put together for you, save them quickly!
- 1. Discounts are your best friend: Students, don't miss out! You can get a 25% discount (on food items) with your student ID. If you go for a late-night meal after 10 PM, there's also a 20% late-night discount. There are also lunch sets starting from 199K, which is an incredible deal!
- 2. Be patient with the queue: Want to get a free manicure💅? Nice! But you have to queue for that too, and it's a separate queue from the one for dining. I suggest getting a number for the manicure as soon as you arrive.
- 3. A heads-up for the restroom: A funny but frustrating detail: the hand soap and disinfectant bottles in the restroom look identical and aren't labeled. I almost washed my hands with disinfectant... Everyone, be careful when you use them!
- 4. Keep a chill mindset: The restaurant just opened, so the service flow is still in a trial period. It's normal to encounter some small issues. As long as the food is good and the vibe is right, don't get too hung up on the small stuff
- Medan's new Haidilao is so hot, all of Medan is queuing to Nongkrong. Find out what makes this legendary hotpot so addictive.
- You have to order the Mala Milk four-grid soup base. The spicy-creamy fusion is amazing with meat—a true challenge for your palate.
- Students win! Get 25% off dishes with your ID, plus 20% off late-night eats after 10 PM. What are you waiting for?
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