Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao to compensate customers after two diners allegedly urinated into hotpot broth at Shanghai restaurant

Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao said it would compensate more than 4,000 diners who had visited one of its outlets in Shanghai after two diners urinated into their hotpot broth.

A video showing two young men urinating into the broth while dining in a private room at a Haidilao restaurant started circulating online late last month.

Haidilao on Wednesday said the incident occurred on February 24 but that it only became aware of the issue four days later and could not initially determine the time and location.

It said the case revealed a lack of training procedures, which led to staff’s failure to detect the situation promptly.

The company confirmed the location in downtown Shanghai on March 6.

“We fully understand that the distress caused to our customers by this incident cannot be fully compensated for by any means,” the company said.

“We are willing to do our utmost to take responsibility.”

The company did not say how much it would be spending in compensation.

Haidilao reported the case to the police in Jianyang, Sichuan, where it is headquartered, and other locations.

Shanghai police have since detained two males, both aged 17.

Haidilao filed a civil lawsuit application against them on Monday, the company added.