Haidilao Hot Pot Arcadia
Hot pot restaurant · Arcadia ·
Tableside hand-pulled noodles, theatrical servers, and Sichuan broth
Tableside hand-pulled noodles, theatrical servers, and Sichuan broth
"This hot pot place in the Westfield is an import from China, where they’re known for their individual (rather than shared) hot pots, and the fact that you can get a neck massage while you wait for your table. Unfortunately, the neck massage didn’t make it to the U.S., but they do have little bags to put your phone in (to avoid soup splashes), a make-your-own sauce bar, and a guy who will come and do a dance while he makes you some noodles. There’s a lot going on here, but that shouldn’t distract you from the fact that the broths are great, the produce is high-quality, and you really shell out for the noodle dancer —a guy who is very good at rolling out noodles while doing an improvisational dance." - Jess Basser Sanders
"Chinese hotpot chain Hai Di Lao makes it as easy as possible for parents. The outposts are located inside shopping malls and the amount of attention servers bestow upon kids is astounding. Little ones are given aprons to wear, along with a complimentary meal (with a toy) of staple fare like dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, red bean bao, and fruit (for those under five). It’s almost like dinner and a show with staff dancing with noodles throughout the meal." - Nicole Adlman
"Our Favorite Dishes: Mushroom Soup Base with Lamb Shoulder Combo This hot pot place in the Westfield is an import from China, where they’re known for their individual (rather than shared) hot pots, and the fact that you can get a neck massage while you wait for your table. Unfortunately, the neck massage didn’t make it to the US, but they do have little bags to put your phone in (to avoid soup splashes), a make-your-own sauce bar, and a guy who will come and do a dance while he makes you some noodles. There’s a lot going on here, but that shouldn’t distract you from the fact that the broths are great, the produce is high-quality, and that every place should really invest in a noodle dancer." - jess basser sanders, amy clark, brant cox, brett keating
"Whichever set menu one settles on here, be it seafood-focused or squarely land-based, make sure to order the hand-pulled noodles to go with it. Skilled noodle dancers flit to each table, whipping and pulling stretchy balls of dough and plopping the finished product into the hot broth to cook." - Cathy Chaplin
"This hot pot chain from China is known for its individual (rather than shared) hot pots, and the fact that you can get a neck massage while you wait for your table. Unfortunately, the neck massage didn’t make it to the U.S., but they do have little bags to put your phone in (to avoid soup splashes), a make-your-own sauce bar, and a guy who will come and do a dance while he pulls noodles. There are locations of Hai Di Lao in the Westfield Arcadia and Westfield Century City, and both usually have last-minute online reservations available for big groups. There tends to be a lot going on in the dining room—see: the live noodle dancers—but that shouldn’t distract you from the fact that the broths are great, the produce is high-quality, and almost everyone can find something they'll like on the menu." - Sylvio Martins, Brett Keating