Coming to America: Haidilao Makes the Leap

Why I’m leaving China: No, it’s not the pollution or the cadmium rice scare. It’s just that Wall Street Journal is reporting China’s hot pot carnival Haidilao will be opening in the USA this fall, so there’s really no need to stay. The ultra-wealthy LA suburb of Arcadia, California will be home to Haidilao’s first American location.

There’s no telling what American consumers will make of the Haidilao experience, but owner Zhang Yong is willing to adapt. “Whatever they want is what I’ll give them,” he said. Although, given that about 35% of Arcadia’s population is Chinese, they might not require much change.

And if the familiar Sichuan spices make me nostalgic, I can rent a private room to for a virtual dinner with my best pengyoumen across the ocean:

“Another offering Haidilao hopes will attract American attention: a private “cyber” dining room outfitted with two giant flat screens, a sort of large-scale Skype-while-you-slurp concept... For a total of $65 per hour, 12 guests—six in each city—meet and eat via private screening rooms.”

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Photo: TheBeijinger.com