Noble Hot Pot

Teenagers Ordered to Pay $300,000 After Urinating in a Hot Pot Restaurant

In February 2025 in Shanghai, China, two teenage boys drank too much alcohol, became drunk, and decided to urinate into a pot of broth at a Haidilao hotpot restaurant, a famous hotpot chain. The incident sparked widespread outrage after the teenagers posted a video of their actions online.

Haidilao quickly responded by offering refunds and compensation to customers who visited the branch in the days following the incident. The restaurant later sought more than 23 million yuan in damages, citing both reputational harm and customer compensation costs. A Shanghai court ruled that the teenagers had violated the companies’ rights and reputation through “acts of insult,” stating that their behavior caused significant discomfort to the public due to the contamination. The court also stated that the teenagers’ parents would bear responsibility for the damages because they failed to fulfill their duty of guardianship.

Although the court rejected Haidilao’s attempt to recover the full amount of customer compensation—considering it a voluntary business decision—it approved 2 million yuan for operational and reputational losses, 130,000 yuan for damaged tableware, and 70,000 yuan in legal fees. The restaurant compensated more than 4,000 diners who visited the branch between February 24 and March 8, offering refunds that exceeded the original bill. They also proactively replaced all hotpot equipment and carried out thorough cleaning and disinfection.p>

Founded in Sichuan province, Haidilao has grown rapidly and now operates more than 1,000 restaurants worldwide, known for its strong customer service and family-friendly perks such as manicures and candy floss for waiting guests.