In a shocking case that has made headlines across China, two 17-year-old teenagers have been ordered by a Shanghai court to pay 2.2 million yuan (approximately $309,000) in compensation after urinating into a hotpot broth at a popular restaurant. The incident, which took place at Haidilao — China’s largest hotpot chain — quickly went viral after the teens posted a video of their drunken act online, sparking nationwide outrage and a heated discussion about public behavior and legal responsibility.
Viral Incident Sparks Public Outrage
The incident occurred in February at a Shanghai branch of Haidilao, a restaurant chain known for its exceptional customer service and family-friendly atmosphere. The teens, reportedly intoxicated, filmed themselves urinating into a pot of spicy broth and uploaded the footage to social media.
Although there was no evidence that any customer consumed the contaminated food, the video caused an immediate public backlash, forcing Haidilao to take swift action to protect its reputation. The company temporarily closed the restaurant, replaced all hotpot equipment, and offered extensive compensation to diners who had visited the location during the days following the incident.
Haidilao’s Legal Action and Compensation
In March, Haidilao filed a lawsuit against the teenagers, seeking over 23 million yuan in damages. This figure included refunds, additional cash compensation for more than 4,000 diners, cleaning and disinfection costs, and losses from the temporary closure.
Last week, the Shanghai court ruled in favor of Haidilao and a second catering company involved in the case, finding that the teens had violated the companies’ property rights and damaged their reputation through “acts of insult.” The court stated that the boys’ behavior contaminated tableware, caused significant public discomfort, and directly harmed the restaurant’s brand image.
Parents Ordered to Pay
Because the offenders were minors at the time of the incident, the court ruled that their parents must bear full financial responsibility for the damages. The compensation order includes:
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2 million yuan for operational losses and reputational damage
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130,000 yuan for replacement of tableware and cleaning expenses
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70,000 yuan in legal fees
The court also clarified that any additional compensation Haidilao voluntarily offered to customers — beyond standard refunds — would not be charged to the teenagers or their families.
Haidilao’s Reputation Management
Haidilao is well-known in China and internationally for going above and beyond in customer service. At many branches, diners can receive complimentary manicures, enjoy snacks while waiting, and children are entertained with candy floss and toys.
Following the incident, Haidilao’s management sought to reassure its customer base by offering a full refund and ten times cash compensation to anyone who dined at the affected branch between February 24 — the date of the incident — and March 8. The company also replaced all hotpot-related equipment and conducted comprehensive disinfection procedures to ensure public confidence.
Broader Implications and Public Reaction
The case has reignited debates in China about juvenile responsibility, parental supervision, and how social media can amplify bad behavior. Many online commenters expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, arguing that holding the parents accountable was necessary to teach a lesson about the consequences of reckless actions.
Legal experts say this ruling could set a precedent for similar cases involving minors, reinforcing the idea that parents are financially liable for the misconduct of their children.
Haidilao’s Continued Expansion
Despite the incident, Haidilao continues to expand rapidly. Since opening its first restaurant in Jianyang, Sichuan province, the chain has grown to operate more than 1,000 locations worldwide. The company remains a leader in the competitive hotpot industry, thanks to its reputation for cleanliness, service innovation, and customer-first policies — a reputation it worked hard to protect during this scandal.
Sources: BBC
