Chinese teens slapped with $300,000 bill for peeing in hotpot

Chinese teens slapped with $300,000 bill for peeing in hotpot
/ bno IntelliNews
By bno - Taipei Office September 16, 2025

Two drunken Chinese teenagers who filmed themselves urinating into a steaming pot of soup at a popular hotpot chain in China have been ordered to cough up a whopping CNY2.2m – just over $300,000.

The grim stunt took place back in February at a Shanghai branch of Haidilao according to both local and international media including the BBC. Being the country’s biggest hotpot brand, their peeing pose quickly went viral after the lads, both reportedly 17, in looking for likes, posted their antics online.

Although no diners were actually served the tainted broth, the video sparked outrage across China. Haidilao rushed to ‘mop up’ the mess – quite literally – by handing out refunds and payouts to punters who had eaten at the branch in the days that followed.

The chain had claimed more than CNY23mn in losses, saying it had to bin tableware, disinfect the restaurant and shell out compensation to over 4,000 customers – all because a pair of teens were not properly potty trained.

Then last week, a Shanghai court ruled the teens had damaged the company’s reputation and property, describing the act as an “insult” that disgusted the public. Their parents, the court said, had failed in their duty of care and must foot the bill.

However, according to the BBC, the court refused to make the families cover extra “goodwill” compensation that Haidilao had opted to dish out to its customers.

The chain with more than 1000 outlets, is well known for pampering diners with perks like manicures for women and candyfloss for kids while they wait to be seated.

But this time, instead of tasty broth and friendly service, it’s the restaurant’s reputation that’s left with a nasty aftertaste.

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