Haidilao Hot Pot Irvine

Haidilao elevates that fairly typical style of hot pot dining with theatricality and attentive service, and it’s here that the experience can go from good to awesome. Order the “dancing noodles” and someone from the kitchen will come out to whip a hand-pulled noodle through the air, twisting it into arcs and playfully coming close to your face while music plays on a Bluetooth speaker. There may be a live show going on, like a Chinese mask-switching dance we saw on one occasion. Or, at the wrong time, the noodle guy may be on break, or you’ll miss the live performance. Similarly, your server may be fully on top of everything (and friendly, as ours have been), or not so sharp.

Of the many restaurant choices at Irvine’s Diamond Jamboree, Haidilao is one of the hardest to find because of its second-floor location, but manages to generate consistent lines; snacks, drinks, and games are offered outside for free to keep waiting guests entertained. This is a prime example of a restaurant that transcends the novelty or quality of its food through service and performance, making each visit more than the sum of whatever you’re able to consume.