It looks like Amazing Brentwood’s TABLES food court has welcomed a surprising new addition.
As of October 1, the popular Chinese hot pot chain Haidilao has officially opened its first-ever Haidilao Express Malatang concept in North America.
Back in September, we shared that the TABLES food court lost 2 stalls, My Toan and Good Tacos.
Haidilao has now taken over the former My Toan stall.
Unlike the full-service Haidilao restaurant located just steps away, this new express outpost reimagines the hot pot experience in a fast-casual format.
Here, guests can choose from pre-set combos and pair them with one of six signature Haidilao broths or four dry mix styles.
The menu includes options like the Beef Combo, featuring fine marbled beef, beef balls, and quail eggs, as well as the Seafood Combo with prawns, squid slices, and baby octopus.
Each combo can be paired with broths such as Haidilao Signature Spicy, Green Peppercorn Soup Base, Guizhou Sour Soup, or Tomato Soup.
Those preferring dry-style malatang can go for the Classic Spicy Sesame or Sweet and Spicy mixes.
To complete the meal, diners can add sides like rice noodles, instant noodles, and rice, plus snacks like deep-fried shrimp balls with cheese and glutinous rice cake with brown sugar for extra.
Drinks like yuzu soda and plum juice round out the experience.
Currently, Haidilao Express Malatang is offering a buy-one-get-one-free promotion until October 8 — a perfect excuse to test the new concept.
We got ourselves the Beef Combo with Bone Broth and the Seafood Combo with Tomato Soup.
Without adding any noodles or rice, the combo itself is filling enough for lunch. That’s because there is actually a decent amount of ingredients in each bowl.
Of course, this streamlined version omits many of the signature elements that made Haidilao a global sensation — the tableside noodle dance, the legendary service, and the custom sauce bar.
But it’s an intriguing experiment for the brand here.
Meanwhile in Toronto, the brand has quietly launched their own self-serve weight-malatang brand called HiBowl.
And for those still craving the full Haidilao experience, the main Brentwood restaurant is only a short walk away.
Haidilao Express Malatang now joins other recently opened Burnaby food spots like Big Way Hot Pot Gilmore, Dolce Amore Caffetteria, and Korean Noodle House.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: Amazing Brentwood TABLES Food Court, Burnaby