【By Observer Net, Qi Qian】
As the trend of "becoming a Chinese person" swept the internet, Hong Kong media noticed foreigners' enthusiasm for Chinese street food,麻辣烫 (spicy hot pot).
"Foreigners around the world are flocking to麻辣烫 restaurants," reported The South China Morning Post on March 7. In recent years, this Chinese delicacy has become the preferred dish for birthdays and dates worldwide, with many enthusiasts believing it is healthy, fast, and affordable.
Last year,麻辣烫 became popular globally, spreading across streets around the world. This trend sparked widespread sharing and enthusiastic discussions.
麻辣烫 is famous for its "numbing", "spicy", and "hot" characteristics, making it easy for foreigners to understand this street food from Sichuan and Chongqing. Foreign diners regard it as a "hot pot for one", selecting their favorite ingredients by weight or skewers in the store.
In Japan, visiting麻辣烫 restaurants has become a trendy activity among young women. It is widely circulated on Japanese social media that the broth contains more than 20 types of spices and traditional Chinese herbs, which can improve beauty and even help with weight loss.
A Japanese woman said, "The broth has more than 20 kinds of spices. After drinking it, your skin will glow."
Social Media
In Germany, some people have even given up traditional birthday banquets, choosing to celebrate in麻辣烫 restaurants instead.
A Chinese netizen said that when she went on a date with a British man, he took her to eat麻辣烫 instead of drinking alcohol. "He asked if I wanted to try Zhangliang麻辣烫. He said it was the best restaurant in his mind in London. I was shocked that he even knew about Zhangliang麻辣烫."
Another netizen said that she and her boyfriend like exploring Chinese food in Paris, and her boyfriend has become proficient at ordering in麻辣烫 restaurants.
She said, "He now selects ingredients without any guidance, even adjusts the dipping sauce himself."
Some overseas Chinese mentioned that they often felt stressed when eating with foreign colleagues due to various food allergies and dietary restrictions. However,麻辣烫 is different. This street food is like a salad, where diners can clearly see what they have selected, yet it is much more flavorful than a salad.
"Previously, my German colleague never ordered Chinese takeout because of various allergies," a netizen said, "When I first brought him to eat麻辣烫, he stood in front of the fridge for 10 minutes carefully selecting ingredients. After eating, he said it was the first time he felt completely relaxed while eating Chinese food."
Local customers in Singapore and London dining at麻辣烫 restaurants, Xinhua News Agency
Public data shows that Yang Guofu麻辣烫 has entered more than 20 countries and regions, with nearly 200 overseas stores. As of November 1, 2025, Zhangliang麻辣烫 has exceeded 139 stores overseas, covering 22 countries and 63 cities.
Currently,麻辣烫 has transformed from a bowl of soup on the streets of Northeast China into a daily choice for global food lovers. In November last year, Jiang Baidu, vice president of Zhangliang Group, said in an interview that the advantage of麻辣烫 lies in "all ingredients are placed in front of you, and you can adjust for spicy, numbing, sour, sweet, etc.".
"Overseas consumers are particularly interested in 'free choice'," Jiang Baidu shared, stating that the DIY model and the 'hot pot for one' positioning of overseas stores have solved the pain points of local catering, such as fixed set meals and limited choices.
The South China Morning Post stated that麻辣烫 helps break the stereotype that Chinese food is 'greasy and unhealthy' for foreigners.
The popularity of麻辣烫 overseas has sparked heated discussions on domestic social media. A netizen said, "Do foreigners celebrating birthdays in麻辣烫 restaurants mean the same thing as we do in McDonald's?" A Chinese expatriate in Germany wrote, "A few days ago, I also went there, and the whole restaurant was full of Germans."
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Original: toutiao.com/article/7614795261441622574/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.