Kpot: The Ultimate Korean Hot Pot Experience

KPOT is a unique, hands-on, all-you-can-eat dining experience that blends traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours. The restaurant was born from four friends from different backgrounds who combined their cuisines over a shared table. It's a cultural dining revolution, offering a modern setting with a full bar and nightlife atmosphere. KPOT offers a social and interactive dining experience, where guests can cook and share a variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu and noodles together. With customisable options, each guest can control their dining experience and enjoy the bold flavours and lively atmosphere that KPOT has to offer.

History of Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ, or gogi-gui, literally translated as "meat roast", is now one of the most popular forms of Asian cuisine in the world. The history of Korean BBQ is a fascinating one, spanning thousands of years and influenced by various cultural and historical factors.

Ancient Origins

Koreans are descendants of nomadic tribes in Asia, including the Maek tribe, who brought a hardy meat dish called Maekjeok with them on their journeys. Maekjeok was thinly sliced, pre-salted pork, which was preserved well for travel. The practice of roasting meats is believed to date back to this ancient wandering group, who may have grilled their meat around a fire.

Buddhist Influence and the Reintroduction of Meat

When Buddhism spread to Korea, it became the state religion and influenced a meat-free diet, causing gogi-gui to fall out of practice. Vegetable dishes known as banchan became prevalent during this time, as Buddhism necessitated a vegetarian diet. Banchan, which typically feature vegetables, are still a staple in Korean cuisine today.

The ban on meat consumption was lifted following the Mongol invasions of Korea between 1231-1259, during which Korea became a vassal state. Maekjeok made a comeback, and over time, it evolved into new dishes.

The Joseon Dynasty and the Rise of Neobiani

During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), roasted beef dishes emerged and became favourites of the royal family. One such dish was neobiani, thinly sliced, marinated, and charbroiled beef. Neobiani is considered the predecessor of the popular Korean BBQ dish, bulgogi.

Commercialization of Meat and the Impact of War

In the 1920s, meat production became commercialized and more widely available across Korea. However, the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945, followed by the Korean War (1950-1953), led to meat shortages and high prices, impacting the accessibility of meat-based dishes like bulgogi.

Immigration and Global Popularity

The Korean War caused many Koreans to leave their homeland and settle overseas, bringing their culture and cuisine with them. Korean BBQ restaurants opened in new communities, introducing this culinary tradition to new audiences. The Immigration Act of 1965 in the United States further contributed to the increase in Korean immigrants, spreading Korean BBQ to major cities and states.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the rise of Korean entertainment and K-pop, known as the Hallyu Wave, also played a significant role in the global popularity of Korean culture, including Korean BBQ.

History of Hot Pot

Hot pot, or steamboat, is a dish where a heat source is placed on the dining table to keep a pot of soup stock simmering. It is served with an array of raw Chinese foodstuffs and ingredients for diners to dip into the broth. The history of hot pot is a long and fascinating one.

The first form of hot pot is believed to have appeared during the Shang and Zhou dynasties (approximately 1600–256 BC). The tripods of the Zhou dynasty may be the earliest prototypes of the hot pot. Nobles each had a personal bronze pot called a ran lu, consisting of a small stove with a pot above it for burning charcoal. The emergence of copper pots during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD) is now a relatively recognised origin of the hot pot.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589 AD), people gradually used hot pots for cooking, mostly to cook chicken and duck. This period was a global cooling period, with extremely cold temperatures, which explains the popularity of hot pot. Later, during the Yuan Dynasty, the Mongols were influenced by hot pot culture and began to put beef and lamb into the dish, creating the Northern Chinese-style hot pot.

Over time, hot pot spread throughout China, with distinct regional variations developing. The most famous variation is Chongqing hot pot, distinguished by the addition of spicy Sichuan peppers to the broth. Sichuan hot pot is famous for its hot and numbing taste, thanks to the use of peppercorns, and is the mainstream style of hot pot in China.

In other regions of China, different flavours and ingredients are used. In Yunnan, the hot pot has a sour flavour, while Cantonese hot pot offers more seafood options. Jiangsu hot pot features fragrant chrysanthemum flavours, and Beijing-style hot pot is known for its simplicity, with ginger and scallions providing flavour.

Hot pot has also spread throughout Asia and is known by different names in other countries. In Japan, it is known as "nabemono", with variations including sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. The Korean-style hot pot is called "jeongol" or "jjigae", with one variation incorporating American-style processed food such as luncheon meat and ramen noodles. In Thailand, hot pot is known as "Thai suki", featuring a lemongrass-spiced chicken broth, while in Vietnam, it is called "lẩu" and incorporates classic Vietnamese ingredients such as kaffir lime leaves and red chilli.

Korean BBQ vs Hot Pot

Korean BBQ and hot pot are two distinct dishes, with Korean BBQ being a dry dish and hot pot being a wet one. Korean BBQ involves cooking meat and vegetables on a grill, usually with a slow increase in temperature to give the meat a char. In contrast, hot pot involves cooking ingredients such as meat, seafood, and vegetables in a pot of broth.

Korean BBQ is a popular choice for social gatherings with friends and family, while hot pot is often enjoyed as a warming, healthy, and inexpensive meal during cold days. Hot pot is typically served with noodles or rice as a side dish.

The primary difference between the two dishes lies in the cooking method and the amount of water used. Korean BBQ uses a grill, resulting in a dry dish, while hot pot involves simmering the ingredients in broth, creating a soup.

Some restaurants, such as KPOT, offer both Korean BBQ and hot pot, allowing diners to experience the best of both worlds. These restaurants often provide individual burners for hot pots, giving each diner the option to customise their meal. The all-you-can-eat format is also common, where diners can cook and enjoy as much meat as they like within a set time frame.

Whether you choose Korean BBQ or hot pot depends on your personal preference and mood. Both dishes offer a unique dining experience and are widely popular in Korean cuisine.

KPOT's menu

KPOT is a unique, hands-on, all-you-can-eat dining experience that combines traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours. The menu offers a wide variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu and noodles. With over 50 options, each guest can customise their meal according to their taste.

The Korean BBQ option allows guests to grill a range of meats and vegetables at the table. This social and interactive dining experience is known for its bold flavours and communal atmosphere. The history of Korean BBQ is deeply rooted in Korean culinary traditions, with the grilling of meat over open flames being a centuries-old practice.

The Hot Pot option offers a similar communal dining experience, with friends and family gathering around a simmering pot of broth to cook and share a variety of ingredients. KPOT offers a choice of different broth flavours, allowing guests to customise their meal. This dining tradition is also deeply rooted in Asian culinary history.

With locations in Brooklyn and the Bronx, KPOT has become a crowd favourite since its opening in 2018, known for its excellent food, ambiance, and service.

KPOT's locations

KPOT is a unique, hands-on, all-you-can-eat dining experience that combines traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours. It offers a modern setting with a full bar and a nightlife-like atmosphere. Since its opening in 2018, KPOT has expanded to over 70 locations across the United States, with plans to open more in 2024.

KPOT has locations in the following cities and areas:

• Opelika
• Tuscaloosa
• Mesa
• Fort Smith
• Jonesboro
• North Little Rock
• Rogers
• Garden Grove
• Thornton
• Aurora
• Hamden
• Orange
• Newark
• Altamonte Springs
• Brandon
• Coral Springs
• Kissimmee
• Lakeland
• Miami
• North Miami Beach
• Ocala
• Orlando
• Pembroke Pines
• St. Petersburg
• Atlanta
• Augusta
• Columbus
• Conyers
• Kennesaw
• Lawrenceville
• Newnan
• Tucker
• Meridian
• Aurora
• Chicago Ridge
• Fort Wayne
• Lafayette
• Merrillville
• Mishawaka
• Des Moines
• Kansas City
• Overland Park
• Wichita
• Elizabethtown
• Florence
• Lexington
• Louisville
• Baton Rouge
• Lafayette
• Aberdeen
• Catonsville
• Frederick
• Germantown
• Hagerstown
• Laurel
• Rockville
• Towson
• Methuen
• West Springfield
• Ann Arbor
• Auburn Hills
• Grand Rapids
• Lansing
• Novi
• Sterling Heights
• Taylor
• Maple Grove
• Pearl
• Ballwin
• Columbia
• Overland
• Springfield
• Omaha
• Deptford
• East Brunswick
• Englewood
• Jersey City
• Kearny
• Lawrenceville
• Lodi
• Secaucus
• Toms River
• Union
• Woodbridge
• Albany
• Bayshore
• Bronx
• Brooklyn
• Coney Island
• Howard Beach
• Long Island City
• Middletown
• Midtown
• Rochester
• Scarsdale
• Staten Island
• Syracuse
• Wappingers Falls
• Westbury
• Charlotte
• Durham
• Fayetteville
• Greensboro
• Raleigh
• Winston-Salem
• Fargo
• Canton
• Columbus
• Dayton
• Strongsville
• Oklahoma City
• Tulsa
• Harrisburg
• King of Prussia
• Northeast Philadelphia
• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh
• South Philadelphia
• Wilkes Barre
• East Providence
• Columbia
• Greenville
• Sioux Falls
• Knoxville
• Murfreesboro
• Nashville
• Arlington
• Austin
• Houston
• Killeen
• Live Oak
• Longview
• Midland
• San Antonio
• Shenandoah
• Webster
• Taylorsville
• Alexandria
• Fairfax
• Falls Church
• Fredericksburg
• Manassas
• Norfolk
• Roanoke
• Woodbridge
• Greenfield
• Wauwatosa

Frequently asked questions