Each table gets its own little hotpot burner. You choose your soup base; we tried the Spicy Beef Soup (Rs. 1,480), which was rich, bold, and satisfying. The Chicken and Mushroom Soup (Rs. 1,280) was gentler but just as flavourful.
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On June 15, 2025, something quietly remarkable and new unfolded in the heart of Colombo. At Arcade Independence Square, WE AI FAMILY a Chinese restaurant opened its doors with a concept never before seen in Sri Lanka: a conveyor belt hotpot.
It’s not just about novelty. What sets this place apart is how effortlessly it combines the charm of home-style cooking with the kind of dining experience that feels both personal and playful. Whether you’re familiar with Chinese hotpot or trying it for the first time, WE AI FAMILY makes it approachable, interactive, and above all, comforting.
At the heart of the restaurant is Ms. Cai Xin Xin, fondly known as Miss Annie, a Chinese entrepreneur who has lived in Sri Lanka for nearly a decade, bringing people together through food. WE AI FAMILY is her way of sharing the traditions she grew up with.
She’s not interested in flashy trends. Instead, Miss Annie has built something with heart: authentic recipes, chefs from mainland China, handpicked spices, and the kind of attention to detail that only comes from someone who truly loves what they do.
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“I wanted to create something that felt familiar and fun at the same time,” Miss Annie says.
“Hotpot is about sharing, trying things at your own pace, and really enjoying the process.”
Each table gets its own little hotpot burner. You choose your soup base; we tried the Spicy Beef Soup (Rs. 1,480), which was rich, bold, and satisfying. The Chicken and Mushroom Soup (Rs. 1,280) was gentler but just as flavourful. There’s also a comforting Tomato Soup and a simple Clear Broth for those who prefer something lighter.
Then comes the fun part. A conveyor belt winds around the room, carrying small plates of ingredients, sliced meats, prawns, tofu, dumplings, vegetables, mushrooms, noodles, and more. You take what you like, cook it right in your broth, and build your own meal as you go.
There’s also a dipping sauce station where you can mix your own combinations; soy, garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, chilli paste, as bold or as mild as you want.
Prices are clearly marked and fair, starting at Rs. 200 and going up to around Rs. 1,000 for the premium meats. You only pay for what you pick, and there’s something satisfying about choosing each ingredient yourself.
The Spicy Beef Soup was hands down our favourite, it delivered heat and depth without overpowering the rest of the ingredients. The Chicken and Mushroom Soup had a lighter, almost herbal quality, perfect for anyone who likes a gentle, balanced broth.
Among the ingredients, the chicken meatballs, beef salami slices, and mushrooms were standouts. The handmade dumplings were soft and flavourful, and the chewy noodles soaked up the broth beautifully.
We also tried their bubble tea, which comes in familiar milk tea and chocolate flavours, simple, sweet, and surprisingly affordable.
The atmosphere at WE AI FAMILY is quietly stylish, soft lighting, clean lines, and subtle Chinese design touches that don’t feel overdone. There’s a calm energy to the place, even when it’s full.
But what struck us most was a moment we hadn’t expected. In a quiet corner, Miss Annie was seated alone, enjoying her own hotpot. No showmanship, just someone eating the very food she made for others.
And that’s really what WE AI FAMILY is about. It doesn’t feel like a business. It feels like someone inviting you into their world, to slow down, cook a little, share a meal, and enjoy the small details.
This is the kind of place that works for everyone, a solo dinner after a long day, a casual meal with your best friend, that slightly awkward first date (where the food saves the day), or a quiet catch-up with your parents over soup and bubble tea.
There’s no pressure to get it right. No script. Just warm broth, good ingredients, and your own rhythm.
WE AI FAMILY might be introducing Sri Lanka’s first conveyor hotpot, but it’s doing something more important too; its making dining feel thoughtful again.
It’s food that invites you to pause, experiment, and enjoy each bite. It’s a restaurant that welcomes you in like family, without fuss, without filters.
So, book a table. Or go on a whim. Either way, you’ll leave full, in more ways than one.
