A Visit to Haidilao in Myeongdong
On the last Monday of the Lunar New Year holiday, I visited Haidilao in Myeongdong with a friend. It's an expensive place, so I only come here about once a year.
During the holiday, different branches had different hours, and the Myeongdong location was only open from 10 AM to 4 PM on the 16th.
We arrived right at opening time at 10 AM, perfectly timed with my friend's train schedule. If we hadn't come at this time, we might have had to wait a long time to be seated.
Although I tried to make a reservation through the Catch Table app, everything was already fully booked.
After arriving at 10 AM, we waited about 20 minutes to be seated. It seemed that even those who had reservations for 10 AM were allowed in gradually, about 10 to 15 minutes later.
Parking is supported for one hour at the nearby Ibis Hotel.
True to its reputation for excellent service, Haidilao offered various entertainment options while we waited.
Honestly, just five minutes after opening, the waiting area was already three times as crowded. It’s a place where you have to arrive early to ensure you can eat!
Finally, we were seated. Although I didn't try the snacks they provided, I suspected they were hard and salty chicken leg snacks.
They even packed the food separately to prevent our clothes from smelling. Haidilao truly excels in service.
The self-service bar not only had sauces but also fruits, side dishes, and porridge available.
Personally, I found the Gyeonghee sauce didn't suit my taste, so I made my own mix with peanut sauce, chili oil, cilantro, and garlic.
We ordered Qingyoumala, pepper soup, tomato soup, and plain water!
I learned that you can adjust the spiciness level for the Qingyoumala. We set both the spiciness and numbing levels to 2, but it was spicier than expected. Next time, I’ll order it at level 1.
While waiting for the soup to boil, the staff brought out our ordered dishes.
My favorite was the cheese meatball. Honestly, I could just eat that and be satisfied.
Originally, my favorite was the tomato soup, but on this day, the Qingyoumala was the tastiest.
It would be perfect for those who enjoy a numbing flavor.
This is the tripe my friend ordered! It was fresh and had no off-putting odor.
Was it beef neck or pork neck? It was low in fat and fresh, which was nice.
At the start, once the soup was boiling, the staff added complementary ingredients and broth.
We chose the tomato soup, and they added meatballs and green onions. Delicious!
My beloved cheese meatball... Please sell it separately!
It pairs perfectly with the mala soup because of its rich flavor.
The cute flying fish roe dumplings were also tasty.
We ordered shrimp dumplings and tofu skin, and the staff prepared them for us upon request.
They also provided a sauce for the shrimp dumplings, which was spicy and sweet, complementing the dumplings well.
My friend said the tofu shrimp dumplings were the best!
One reason I only visit Haidilao once a year is that I need to work hard again to earn money after such a feast.
The restaurant was clean, and the staff were incredibly friendly, making for a satisfying dining experience at Haidilao.
If you're looking for a hot pot restaurant, I highly recommend Haidilao in Myeongdong!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/jh0708jin/224187172835
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