Haidilao shuts Clarke Quay outlet after 13 years: Revisiting its first step in Singapore

The closure, announced by the chain via SMS to members on Aug. 13, comes as the lease expires.

In 2012, when Haidilao aimed to open its first overseas outlet outside China, finding a location was challenging, and going to a hotpot restaurant was not a frequent activity for Singaporeans, said Ervin Yeo, group chief strategy officer and CEO of commercial management at CapitaLand Investment.

CapitaLand has been a long-time partner with Hadilao in many countries including China, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Haidilao Singapore's Clarke Quay restaurant. Photo courtesy of Haidilao Singapore

Yeo said in a LinkedIn post that Haidilao decided to bet on an unpopular second-floor unit in Clarke Quay, which eventually benefited both the chain and the area.

Patrons would take queue numbers at the restaurant, then explore Clarke Quay, enjoying drinks before diving into hotpot and capturing videos of the dancing noodle man with their smartphones.

"Haidilao made a niche cuisine into a mainstream cuisine," Yeo said, adding that it is common now for Singaporeans to eat hotpot a few times a month.

The high-standard service of the Chinese chain has raised customer expectations, elevating service quality across Singapore’s food and beverage industry.

"Many of us have felt like celebrities, serenaded by Haidilao staff on our birthdays," Yeo said.

The success of the first location prompted Haidilao to expand across Singapore with 20 outlets at its peak.

But after a period of rapid expansion at Clarke Quay, the Haidilao location there has lost its uniqueness amid the mushrooming of other restaurants, prompting the Chinese chain to explore a brand refresh or a new dining concept. "We mutually agreed it was time for Haidilao to bid farewell to Clarke Quay," he said.

The closure follows Haidilao’s recent shuttering of three suburban restaurants in Singapore’s Bedok, Pasir Ris, and Punggol areas after a period of rapid expansion.

A Haidilao spokesperson said earlier that key business considerations include labor costs, outlet locations, and rental expenses.

Haidilao will be offering dining vouchers worth over SGD800,000 (US$625,000) to eligible members, according to online media outlet Mothership.

It now has over 16 outlets in Singapore, among its more than 110 restaurants globally, including in the U.S, Canada and Australia.