Haidilao Hot Pot San Diego — Restaurant in San Diego

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Haidijao Hot Pot, located in the UTC Mall, and I can confidently say that it was an experience unlike any other. From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the restaurant's futuristic atmosphere, highlighted by the presence of robot servers. Haidijao seamlessly combines cutting-edge technology with exceptional hot pot cuisine, resulting in an unforgettable dining adventure. Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by the sight of sleek and sophisticated robots efficiently gliding throughout the dining area. Their presence added an element of novelty and excitement to the overall dining experience. The restaurant's modern decor, comfortable seating, and ambient lighting further enhanced the futuristic ambiance, creating a setting that was both stylish and inviting. Now, let's talk about the star of the show--the hot pot. Haidijao offers an extensive selection of fresh and high-quality ingredients, allowing guests to create their own personalized culinary masterpieces. The menu features a wide range of meats, seafood, vegetables, and a variety of flavorful broths to choose from. The ingredients were incredibly fresh, and the broth options catered to different preferences, including mild and spicy variations. The interactive dining experience at Haidijao was truly a delight. With the help of the friendly and knowledgeable waitstaff, I navigated through the menu and selected my ingredients. The robot servers, equipped with trays and sensors, flawlessly delivered the ordered items to our table, adding an extra touch of excitement and entertainment. The efficiency and accuracy of the robot servers were impressive, creating a seamless and efficient dining experience. As for the flavors, Haidijao exceeded my expectations. The broths were rich, aromatic, and packed with layers of spices and seasonings. Whether I opted for a classic chicken broth or a more adventurous Sichuan spicy broth, each sip was a burst of savory goodness. The ingredients cooked to perfection in the simmering pots, ensuring that every bite was tender, flavorful, and satisfying. The service at Haidijao was impeccable. The waitstaff was attentive, friendly, and readily available to offer assistance whenever needed. Despite the robots being an integral part of the service, the human touch was never compromised. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu, offering guidance and suggestions to enhance the dining experience further. In conclusion, my experience at Haidijao Hot Pot in the UTC Mall was truly one-of-a-kind. The restaurant successfully blends cutting-edge technology with exceptional hot pot cuisine, resulting in a memorable and interactive dining adventure. From the futuristic ambiance to the flavorful broths and the efficient robot servers, Haidijao offers a unique and enjoyable experience for both food enthusiasts and technology aficionados. I highly recommend visiting Haidijao Hot Pot to indulge in a hot pot experience...

I’ve been going to Haidilao since I was a teenager—almost 20 years now. I’ve visited many different locations, and it has never disappointed me. I still go there regularly with my child, and it’s his favorite restaurant, too. I’ve been to this specific location many times, but today was very disappointing.

First of all, they usually provide a lidded water cup with a straw for kids, but today they only gave us a regular glass of water. When I placed my order, they typically ask if I’d like to order a kids' meal, but this time they didn’t. I had to ask for it after I had already ordered.

I made a reservation for three people since my son eats hotpot as well, but there were only two place settings when we arrived. Even after we sat down, they didn’t provide extra utensils or a plate for my son. There was also an issue with the order. I noticed the mistake, but the server didn’t realize it until I pointed it out. Usually, after ordering on the iPad, the server confirms the order with me, but this time they didn’t, which is why they didn’t catch the mistake. It took around 20 minutes to get the correct dish after I asked about it.

Later, another server came by and asked how everything was, but before we could respond or ask for the dancing noodles, she just turned around and went back to work. We had to call her a few times before she finally responded. It felt like she wasn’t really interested in how things were going. On top of that, no one refilled my water, even though my cup was empty. Servers kept coming by to ask how things were, but we didn’t actually receive much service.

Additionally, the vegetable mix was really disappointing. Usually, it has a balanced ratio of ingredients like napa cabbage and others. But today, it was mostly just napa cabbage, green cabbage, and chicory, with very little variety. It felt like an entirely different dish from what we’re used to.

This was my first bad experience at Haidilao. One last thing—my son has collected many toys from Haidilao, and sometimes he gets the same one, so he likes to exchange it for a different one. Today, the server didn’t even ask him if he liked the toy. They just placed the toy on the table, even though my son wasn’t there at the time. They usually ask if he likes it or if he wants to exchange it, but this time they didn’t. I always thought the purpose of giving toys to kids was to make them feel welcome and enjoy the experience, but this felt impersonal.

Overall, this was a really...

This was my first time at aisliao UTC, so I didn't really know what to expect. I came specifically for their Meat O'Clock deal, which was advertised on their Instagram for $14.99. When I arrived, I found out it was actually $19.99, which already felt misleading and a bait and switch, and I wasn't going to leave since I was already at the door. When I asked why, the guy at the front told me it was because they added all-you-can-eat rice. Seriously? Charging five extra dollars for rice and calling it a deal is laughable. On top of that, the soup base isn't even included. They charge $10 per quadrant of the pot, which is ridiculous. I ended up doing half tom yum for $20 and half plain water just to cut the cost down, and even then I felt like it was ripoff. The so-called deal only came with a few meats, no sides/veggies or anything, and was basically a trap to push you into spending more.

Of course, we ended up having to go for the $36.99 per person option, because who is going to sit there eating just plain meat with water? And even at that price, the selection wasn't impressive. The meat choices were almost identical to the cheaper deal, and the vegetables and meatballs they added felt like filler, not value, except for the dumplings were decent. Compared to other all-you-can-eat hotpot restaurants, this place nickels and dimes you for everything, from the soup base to the upsells, until what looks like a deal turns into a money pit. Felt like a scam the way they structure it.

The food itself was fine, and that's the only reason this review is 2 stars instead of 1. The quality wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either, and definitely not worth the inflated price. I came in thinking maybe $50 for a quick lunch, but the bill ended up being over $100 for two people. That's absurd for what we actually got. The staff were friendly on the surface, but the friendliness felt fake and rehearsed, which only added to the overall disappointing vibe. To top it all off, we both ended up with loose bowels when we got home, which was the perfect ending to an already bad experience.

Between the bait-and-switch pricing, the overpriced soup base, the limited and unimpressive selection, the fake service, and the stomach issues afterward, this was one of the worst-value dining experiences I've had. I won't be coming back, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone unless you enjoy paying premium prices for bare minimum options and a stomach...