Haidilao Hot Pot Restaurant's popularity among Beijing locals mainly stems from its excellent service.

Diners here are willing to spend more than half an hour waiting to be seated and it's apparent they come for more than the above-average food.

On a recent Friday evening at the newly opened Haidilao's Bei'ao branch near the Asian Games Village, at least 100 people waited to be seated. Those waiting were served up with soy bean juice, a saucer of water melon slices, a small bowl of fried soy beans, and a small basket of snacks. People seating at tables were provided with chess sets.

My partner and I spent 40 minutes waiting before we were ushered to the packed restaurant on the third floor.

We were impressed when our waitress suggested we take off two items because we might not be able to finish so much. She went on to suggest that we could order half portions as well. As it turned out later, the foods were the right quantity when reduced to half portions.

The waiters and waitresses here have genuine smiles and serve with real attentiveness to make their customers feel comfortable.

The waitresses also understand that they should come to the tables only when they were needed.

The marble floor and imitation stone table surfaces make the decor feel modern. Unlike some of its older branches, there is enough space between tables here.

Diners order by ticking off foods they choose on a sheet of menu paper. There is a spare one hung on the cart that wheels over your food, in case you want to order something else.

General comment on the food is very good. The spicy soups are a little better, likely because the restaurant's chefs are from Sichuan, which is known for its food with kick.

The choices on the menu are rather simple, with three basic hot pot soup options, each at 38 yuan. There are three accompanying sauces, including sesame paste and oil with mashed garlic. Besides beef and mutton, there are mashed squid, mashed shrimp, mushroom and plenty of vegetables. A bottle of Yanjing costs 5 yuan, Tsingtao 12.

Lemon water and soy bean juice cost 3 yuan a cup and can be refilled as many times as you want.

At the entrance of the restaurant is an area where people can have their nails done and shoes polished for free, although this is quite crowded.

Private rooms should be booked two weeks in advance, and tables in the general hall should be reserved two days ahead. It is an extra 88 yuan for a private room.

The restaurant does not have an English menu. Average spending is 60 yuan.

Text and photos by Ye Jun

Address: 11 am-2 am. 3/F Bei'ao Dasha, A2 Huixin Dongjie, southeast corner of Huixin Dongqiao on Northern Fourth Ring Road.
Tel: 010-8463-9300.