Haidilao Hot Pot - Review - Bellevue - Seattle - The Infatuation

"Hadidilao is an experience. At this popular hot pot chain in Bellevue, they’ll escort you to a booth like you’ve got a FastPass and dance tableside while hand-pulling noodles. And don’t even get us started on all the free stuff (toys, pints of ice cream, lotion, manicures). All the bells and whistles are nice, but the hot pot is truly great—their tom yum broth has tons of lemongrass and lime that pair nicely with delicate beef tongue, while the extra-spicy mala broths will have you tearing up over slivers of lamb shoulder. Head to the sauce and toppings bar where you can choose from crispy soybeans, satay sauce, and preserved sichuan pickles. Just watch out for airborne noodles and robot servers. Food Rundown Sauce Bar If folks were handing out awards for sauce bars like they do for Best Picture, Haidilao would sweep the category. Not only is their bar fully stocked and almost always pristine, but it also has a great variety with things like crispy soybeans, diced celery, and a big dessert section. Dancing Noodle When ordering on your iPad, you’ll see an option for "Handmade Noodles (No Dance)," but where’s the fun in that? Always go for the dancing noodles. You’ll get a tableside performance where they stretch noodle bundles like taffy. And even after all the excitement, they’re still the perfect addition to your soup. Tom Yum Soup Base This base gets some creaminess from coconut milk and overall packs a tangy punch. Make sure to order it for at least one of your broth quadrants. Australian Lamb Shoulder The meat combos and deals change pretty often, but make sure to always toss in at least one order of the Australian lamb shoulder. It’s sliced super thin, and the sweet, nutty flavor pairs well with a soy and sesame-rich concoction from the sauce bar." - Kayla Sager-Riley