Hai Di Lao Jingzhan Branch Begins Trial Operation & Phone Reservations Now Open

▲ Taipei Hai Di Lao Hotpot. (Photo provided by爆肝护士)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Hai Di Lao, which recently started allowing customers to bring their own ingredients into the restaurant, quietly began trial operations at its Jingzhan branch located in Taipei’s Jianguo Fashions Mall on December 20. Phone reservations are also now available, though most seats are prioritized for walk-in customers.

In mid-December, Taiwan’s Hai Di Lao announced that all its outlets would allow customers to bring their favorite ingredients to enhance their meals—whether food or drinks—without any additional fees. One netizen bought boneless hot pot beef slices, frozen cooked scallops, a mushroom combo, and baby corn from Costco, handed them to the staff upon entry, and the employees handled it as if it were routine, washing and preparing the items before serving them on a plate.


▲ The netizen’s Costco-bought beef was also plated and served with ice by Hai Di Lao staff. (Photo provided by 华安与他的奴才们)

This move has infuriated other hotpot businesses in Taiwan. Critics within the industry accused Hai Di Lao of violating the “no outside food” norm, disrupting market pricing, and spoiling customers. However, this premium service originates from Hai Di Lao’s founding philosophy, which has been standard practice in mainland China for years. A senior executive from Hai Di Lao’s headquarters explained that the policy reflects the company’s original values: mainland branches have long permitted customers to bring their own ingredients, waive corkage fees, impose no minimum spend, and offer unrestricted dining hours—even if you’re just having a bowl of noodles, you can stay as long as you like. These practices are already customary for mainland customers.

Jingzhan Branch
Address: 4F, 1 Section 1, Chengde Rd., Datong District, Taipei City (Jianguo Fashions Mall)
Phone: 02 2559 0125 & 02 2559 0126
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM

Xinyi Branch
Address: 6F, 12 Songshou Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City (ATT 4 FUN)
Phone: 02-77431855 & 02-77431899
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 AM

Banqiao Branch
Address: 5F, 28 Xinzhan Rd., Banqiao District, New Taipei City (Banqiao Big City)
Phone: 02-29641327 & 02-29641328
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM

Taichung Branch
Address: 12F South Building, 251 Section 3, Taiwan Blvd., West District, Taichung City (Taichung Big City)
Phone: 04-22540250 & 04-22540138
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM

Hsinchu Branch
Address: 4F, 323 Section 3, Xida Rd., East District, Hsinchu City (Hsinchu Big City)
Phone: 03-5233370 & 03-5233390
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM