This product is a concentrated soup base designed for hotpot (火锅) — an Asian communal cooking style similar to European fondue or raclette, where a pot of simmering broth is placed at the centre of the table and diners cook their own ingredients directly in it. To use: dissolve the entire 200g pack in approximately 1 litre of water, bring to a boil, then add your choice of vegetables, tofu, noodles, mushrooms, or other ingredients and cook until ready. As this is a concentrated soup base, it must always be diluted with water before consumption. Consuming it undiluted would result in an extremely high salt intake.

Yes, this product is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets. All ingredients used are of plant-based origin and the product contains no animal-derived components. Please note, however, that it does not carry an official certified vegan label, so those who require formal certification should bear this in mind. Halal certification has not been confirmed; anyone following a strict halal diet is advised to contact the manufacturer before purchasing.

Yes, this product contains allergens that must be declared under EU food labelling regulation (1169/2011). Specifically: Gluten — derived from maltodextrin in the seasoning mix; Soybeans — present as GM soybean oil; Sulphites — contained in the chilli powder and sugar. This product is therefore not gluten-free. Anyone with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid consuming it. This product also contains genetically modified (GM) soybean oil, which is declared in accordance with EU Regulation 1829/2003.

The nutrition label shows a salt content of 5.77g per 100g, which appears high, but this is because the product is a concentrated soup base. In practice, the entire 200g pack is diluted in approximately 1 litre of water before use, which significantly reduces the actual sodium concentration in the finished broth. This is the same principle as diluting concentrated tomato paste or a bouillon cube. That said, anyone following a low-sodium diet may wish to use a little more water when diluting, or to moderate their portion size accordingly.

This product is manufactured in China by HAIDILAO (郑州蜀海实业有限公司, Zhengzhou). Haidilao is China's most recognised hotpot brand and a globally renowned food and restaurant company. Storage: before opening, keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. After opening, transfer any remaining contents to an airtight container, refrigerate, and use as soon as possible. Please refer to the best-before date printed on the packaging for the exact shelf life.