Table for one

Last month, a man dining at a hotpot restaurant in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, found himself in an awkward situation when he returned to his table after briefly stepping away to fetch more dipping sauce, only to discover it had been cleared. This incident highlights some of the uncomfortable scenarios solo diners may face in China.

Portion sizes can also be a challenge: one dish may be insufficient, two dishes may be too much, and adding soup could exceed one's budget. Solo diners often find themselves making trade-offs between their finances, taste preferences, and nutritional balance.

The number of single individuals has been steadily increasing in China in recent years. According to the China Population & Employment Statistical Yearbook 2023, China had 240 million single people in 2023, with projections suggesting this number will likely surpass 300 million by the end of 2024.

However, dining alone is not always a necessity; it can also be a deliberate choice. As a netizen shared with 36Kr, a news website, she found dining alone to be more time-saving than dining with others, as it allows one to choose freely without having to consider other people's tastes and preferences.

From the restaurant's perspective, catering to solo diners is also more efficient and reduces food wastage. Some hotpot restaurants have already responded by introducing one-person sets and "stepping out" signs for solo customers.