Largest hot pot chain in China opening at Peninsula mall

(KRON) — The largest hot pot chain in China is opening its first location in the Peninsula and third in the Bay Area. Haidilao is opening in Daly City’s Serramonte Center.

Haidilao is opening next to Lids and 85°C Bakery Cafe, according to Regency Centers, the company that oversees the mall. No opening date has been announced at this time.

The restaurant is listed to be 7,156 square feet, according to Regency Centers. Haidilao takes over the space that was once occupied by Shoe Palace and LensCrafters.

Haidilao follows a recent Serramonte trend of Asian eateries taking over traditional clothing retailer spaces — amid a growing shift of U.S. malls opening more dining establishments over stores.

Recently opened Korean supermarket Jagalchi took over JCPenney, which was once an anchor for the mall for decades. Popular San Francisco-based ramen chain Marufuku is taking over Kids Foot Locker. Dim sum staple Koi Palace will move into a space that was the home of a Wet Seal. The mall has seen success in filling in empty spaces, as there are only five vacancies out of 103 spaces, according to Regency Centers’ website.

The other Haidilao restaurants in the Bay Area are in Fremont and Cupertino. The latter temporarily closed starting in March for maintenance, Haidilao announced on social media. It is expected to reopen sometime this summer.

Haidilao opened its first restaurant in Jianyang, China in 1994 and has since more than 1,300 locations worldwide. The first U.S. location opened in Los Angeles in 2013, and there are currently 12 restaurants in the country.

The chain is endorsed by one of the most famous pop stars from China: Jackson Wang. Haidilao recently announced a partnership with the musician who boasts more than 33 million Instagram followers. Wang is in San Francisco this Thursday, July 24 for a meet and greet at Amoeba Music.

KRON4 has reached out to Haidilao for more information about its opening at Serramonte. We did not hear back in time for publication.