Haidilao Hot Pot, a global chain renowned for its flavorful broths, fresh ingredients, and exceptional customer service, offers a variety of promotional opportunities and complimentary items that enhance the dining experience. While the brand is known for its paid services, a range of freebies, discounts, and secret codes are available to customers, allowing them to enjoy additional value. This guide details the verified methods for accessing these offers, based on information from official channels and customer reports.
The concept of secret codes, known as "暗号游戏" (ànhào yóuxì, or "code game"), has become a popular way for customers to receive complimentary items. According to a representative from Haidilao Canada, this practice is not an official or regular service but has gained popularity among customers, leading the brand to standardize certain codes. The representative noted that each store may have its own unique codes and rules, and guests can typically only use one code per visit. This practice has been observed in other regions, including Asia, where specific phrases can be mentioned to service staff to redeem freebies.
One of the most well-documented sets of secret codes comes from Haidilao Canada. The codes and their corresponding free items are as follows: - "The little angel is here to eat hot pot" – This phrase is reported to yield a free fairy stick or another small toy. - "Your soup base is really delicious" – Customers who use this phrase may receive a free tomato base packet, limited to one packet per table. - "Do I look like a child?" – This code is associated with receiving a free toy. - "Do you have gold bricks?" – This phrase may result in free golden steamed buns.
A more extensive list of secret codes has been reported in Asia, with specific items tied to particular phrases. These include: - "小仙女来吃火锅了" (xiǎo xiān nǚ lái chī huǒ guō le, "Little fairy is here for hot pot") – A magic fairy wand. - "你家的汤底好好喝" (nǐ jiā de tāng dǐ hǎo hǎo hē, "Your soup base is delicious") – A free Haidilao soup pack. - "你们的番茄汤好好喝" (nǐ mén de fān qié tāng hǎo hǎo hē, "Your tomato soup base is delicious") – A free Haidilao tomato soup pack. - "你们的西瓜好甜啊" (nǐ mén de xī guā hǎo tián ā, "Your watermelon is so sweet") – Free watermelon slices. - "你家零食好好吃呀" (nǐ jiā líng shí hǎo hǎo chī yā, "Your snacks are so delicious") – Free snacks. - "兔兔那么可爱怎么可以吃兔兔呢" (tù tù nà me kě ài zěn me kě yǐ chī tù tù ne, "Rabbits are so cute, how could you eat them") – A free rose bandung bear float (availability of the bear is subject to availability). - "你觉得我快乐吗" (nǐ jué dé wǒ kuài lè mā, "Do you think I look happy") – Free extra-long bamboo chopsticks.
Beyond secret codes, Haidilao offers a variety of in-restaurant services and perks that are provided at no additional cost. These include hair ties, aprons, ziploc bags for protecting mobile phones, free snacks while queuing, free Wi-Fi, and charging ports. These amenities are part of the brand's customer-centric service model.
The brand also runs several time-bound promotions and discounts. For example, Haidilao Downtown East in Singapore offered a 50% discount on a second dish for late-night suppers, available daily from 10pm to 2am. This promotion featured selected half-portion dishes, allowing customers to mix and match meat and vegetable options like Haidilao-flavoured beef, sliced fish, beancurd roll, or pork jowl. The validity of this specific promotion was until September 30, 2023.
Another long-running promotion reported at the Marina Square Haidilao outlet in Singapore is a 1-for-1 beer offer, available daily from 10pm. The outlet's operating hours extend to 6am, though the drinking session typically ends at 3am (Sunday to Friday and public holidays) and 4am on Saturdays and the eves of public holidays.
A 20% discount on meat and vegetable dishes during late-night suppers is another well-known offer. This discount is available from 10pm onwards on Sundays to Thursdays across 17 participating outlets in Singapore. Some of these outlets remain open until 6am, providing a quieter dining atmosphere.
Haidilao also provides opportunities for customers to earn free side dishes by completing challenges while waiting in line. These challenges, which vary by outlet, are designed to engage customers. Examples include folding 30 paper cranes, folding 100 paper stars, solving a Rubik’s cube, solving a Sudoku puzzle, or playing the WeChat jumping game Tiao Yi Tiao. Successfully completing a challenge can redeem free side dishes worth S$6.
Additional services that may involve an extra cost but are part of the brand's unique offering include the ability to pre-order live premium seafood. Customers must call at least three days in advance to arrange a pre-order, which is subject to seasonal pricing and stock availability. Furthermore, a free manicure service resumed in 2022, though it is not available at all outlets and depends on the availability of manicurists. Customers are advised to call ahead to check for availability, as reservations cannot be made in advance.
For customers interested in creating their own soup bases, a popular hack involves making a soya milk soup base. Although the soya milk soup base is no longer officially offered, customers can create it by ordering a soya milk (at a cost per person) and pouring two cups into a clear water soup base, or by requesting an empty hotpot filled entirely with soya milk. The recipe can be customized with additions like salt, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and crushed peanuts to create a fragrant, creamy broth.
It is important to note that the availability of these promotions, secret codes, and services can vary by location and is subject to change. The information provided in this guide is based on reports from various sources, including customer experiences and official statements. For the most current and accurate information, customers should refer to official Haidilao channels or contact their local outlet directly.
Conclusion
Haidilao Hot Pot provides a range of complimentary items and promotional offers that enhance the value of the dining experience. From standardized secret codes that yield free toys and food items to time-limited discounts on late-night meals and challenges that reward free side dishes, there are multiple ways for customers to enjoy additional benefits. While some services like manicures and pre-ordered seafood may incur additional costs or require planning, many of the brand's perks, such as hair ties, aprons, and phone protection bags, are provided free of charge. Customers are encouraged to inquire about current promotions and secret codes at their local Haidilao outlet, as offerings can vary by location.