Banu

Banu (巴奴) is a Chinese hotpot restaurant brand founded in 2001 in Zhengzhou, Henan, by Du Zhongbing. The chain is best known for its signature dish, tripe (毛肚), and for positioning itself as a higher-quality, ingredient-focused alternative to mass-market hotpot brands. Its menu centers on a spicy Sichuan-style hotpot broth, fresh tripe, and other premium ingredients, and the brand has expanded from its home base in Henan to major cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Banu operates as a private company under Banu Catering Management Co., Ltd. and has become one of the most recognized premium hotpot chains in China, often compared with Haidilao. The brand emphasizes product quality, service, and a distinctive dining experience, and it has pursued a strategy of controlled expansion rather than rapid franchising.

Banu was founded in 2001 in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, by Du Zhongbing. The brand started as a hotpot restaurant and gradually built a reputation for its signature tripe dish and spicy Sichuan-style broth. In its early years, Banu focused on the Henan market, refining its menu and operations. Over time, it expanded to other major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, positioning itself as a premium alternative to mainstream hotpot chains. The company has emphasized quality ingredients and a distinctive dining experience, which helped it gain a loyal customer base. Banu has been noted for its controlled expansion strategy, avoiding rapid franchising in favor of direct-operated stores to maintain quality. The brand has also been involved in public discussions about food safety and pricing in the hotpot industry. As of the 2020s, Banu remains a privately held company and continues to operate a chain of restaurants across China.

• 2010

  Expanded beyond Henan to other major Chinese cities.

• 2001

  Founded in Zhengzhou, Henan, by Du Zhongbing.

• Signature tripe hotpot

  The brand's flagship dish featuring fresh tripe in a spicy broth.

• Spicy beef tallow broth

  A rich, spicy hotpot base made with beef tallow.

• Mushroom broth

  A non-spicy broth option made with various mushrooms.

• 2025

  Founder's remark about spending on a 5,000-yuan monthly salary sparked controversy; response said his meaning was distorted

  In 2025, Du Zhongbing's remarks at an industry event about income and hot pot spending sparked controversy and were criticized as lacking respect for consumers. He and the organizers explained that they had emphasized ingredient quality, costs, and spending within one's means, and said the widely circulated wording distorted his meaning. This item is a public-relations remark controversy and is not regarded as the brand actually setting an income threshold.

  Source 1Source 2

• 2023

  Chaodao high-calcium lamb rolls tested positive for duck-derived ingredients; stores suspended for rectification and compensation announced

  In September 2023, lamb rolls sold at Banu's Chaodao self-service hot pot brand were suspected of adulteration, and subsequent testing reports detected both sheep-derived and duck-derived ingredients. Banu apologized, ordered the stores involved to suspend operations for rectification, and announced a consumer compensation plan totaling 8.354 million yuan. The incident centered on Chaodao products and stores under the Banu group.

  Source 1Source 2

• 2023

  High-priced selenium-enriched potatoes and selenium content claims sparked controversy; product delisted and renamed

  In 2023, the portion size and pricing of Banu's potatoes sparked discussion. The brand later said that processing and soaking had caused some batches to fall short of selenium content standards, and delisted the selenium-enriched potatoes. The founder subsequently announced a switch to the name Ulanqab potatoes while maintaining the related price. The controversy involved pricing, the basis for ingredient claims, and disclosure.

  Source 1Source 2

Read more

1. 1Banu official websitebanu.com.cn
2. 2Chaodao high-calcium lamb rolls tested positive for duck-derived ingredients; stores suspended for rectification and compensation announcedfood.cnr.cn
3. 3Chaodao high-calcium lamb rolls tested positive for duck-derived ingredients; stores suspended for rectification and compensation announcedjiemian.com
4. 4High-priced selenium-enriched potatoes and selenium content claims sparked controversy; product delisted and renamedfood.cnr.cn
5. 5High-priced selenium-enriched potatoes and selenium content claims sparked controversy; product delisted and renamednews.cnr.cn
6. 6Founder's remark about spending on a 5,000-yuan monthly salary sparked controversy; response said his meaning was distortedthepaper.cn
7. 7Founder's remark about spending on a 5,000-yuan monthly salary sparked controversy; response said his meaning was distortedzaobao.com.sg