New Beijing venue elevates chain's hotpot experience

Business at Xiabu Xiabu's recently opened sibling CouCou seemed brisk even before it officially began operations on the last day of June.

The new restaurant, the first of its kind under the giant restaurant chain, offers hotpot and tea-culture elements of a medium - to high-end range. The average cost per person is 120-150 yuan.

The dimly lit setting, wooden partitions and flowing evaporating steam make for a cooling environment and create a strong sense of privacy. The soothing ambience seemed to magically dissipate the heat from the boiling pots.