Haidilao Launches Autumn Menu with Honghu Lotus Root; Hubei Issues Dining Vouchers
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Chinese hot pot chain Haidilao has launched a new autumn menu centered on Hubei province's Honghu lotus root, a national geographical indication product. The menu includes items such as lotus root soup with pork rib bone pot, window-shaped lotus root slices, and shrimp-stuffed fried lotus root sandwiches. The company sources the 'Eh Hong No.1' variety, selecting the middle section of mature roots and conducting tests for specifications, completeness, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microorganisms, as well as simulated hot pot cooking tests. The launch coincides with the harvest season for Honghu lotus root, which in 2025 covers 225,000 mu (approximately 37,000 acres) of planting area. Separately, the Hubei provincial government has allocated 50 million yuan for a 'One Ticket Benefits Hubei' campaign running from September 24 to the end of December, offering consumers vouchers of up to 100 yuan off per transaction for dining, shopping, accommodation, and scenic spots when they present tickets for transportation, performances, movies, or sports events. Industry insiders cited in the report view the initiative as strengthening the connection between local specialty agricultural products and the consumer dining market.
Source report
Shanghai Securities News (Reporter: Ding Peng) — As the concentrated harvest season for Honghu lotus root begins in Hubei Province, Haidilao has launched a series of new products featuring the region's starchy lotus root as a core ingredient. The new offerings include Lotus Root Soup with Pork Bone Hotpot, Window-Cut Lotus Root Slices, and Shrimp Paste Fried Lotus Root Sandwiches, leveraging the chain restaurant's extensive network.
Honghu lotus root is a national geographical indication protected product. According to data, the local lotus root planting area is expected to reach 225,000 mu (approximately 15,000 hectares) in 2025, with comprehensive output value figures also reported.
A Haidilao representative stated that the company's raw material procurement focuses on starchy lotus root varieties such as "Ehong No. 1," primarily selecting the middle sections of mature lotus roots. The company conducts rigorous testing on raw material specifications, integrity, and indicators including pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microorganisms, while also adding simulated hotpot boiling tests.
Meanwhile, Hubei Province is further stimulating catering consumption potential through initiatives such as consumer vouchers. The provincial authorities have allocated 50 million yuan for the "One Ticket Benefits Hubei" campaign, running from September 24 to the end of December. Consumers holding tickets or receipts for transportation, performances, movies, or sports events can redeem vouchers for dining, shopping, accommodation, and scenic spots, with a maximum discount of 100 yuan per single transaction.
Industry insiders believe that this approach strengthens the supply chain for local specialty agricultural products from origin to consumer, fostering a closer connection between regional specialty ingredients and the catering consumption market.
(Source: Shanghai Securities News · China Securities Network)
Source
东方财富网-产业经济Eastern
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