K-Pot Opening In Toms River: When Can We Expect It?

KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is a unique, all-you-can-eat restaurant chain that offers a modern dining experience by merging traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours. The restaurant company describes it as a cultural dining revolution. The first KPot at the Jersey Shore opened in Toms River in August 2023, with other locations in East Brunswick, Englewood, Kearny, Jersey City and Union. The Toms River restaurant is located in the Crossroads Commons Plaza at the intersection of Route 166 and Route 37, in the former space of Social 37 restaurant and bar.

KPot's unique dining experience

KPOT: A Unique Dining Experience

KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is a unique dining experience that has brought something new and exciting to Toms River. The restaurant offers a hands-on, all-you-can-eat dining experience that merges traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours.

The KPOT Experience

KPOT sets itself apart from other restaurants by putting customers in the role of the chef. Diners choose their ingredients via tablet and cook them at their table, either on a grill or in an individual burner for hot pot. This level of interactivity makes KPOT more than just a meal; it's a fun and social experience.

The Menu

The menu offers a wide variety of options to cater to all tastes and dietary preferences. For BBQ, meat choices include beef, chicken, pork, steak, and seafood. For hot pot, diners first choose their cooking liquid, such as Thai tom yum, Japanese miso, or Korean seafood tofu, then add their choice of meat, followed by an array of sides and vegetables.

The Atmosphere

KPOT has a hibachi-like atmosphere, with a full bar and a nightlife vibe. The restaurant is designed to encourage lively conversation and a sense of community while diners enjoy their food.

The Locations

With existing locations in East Brunswick, Englewood, Jersey City, and Union, KPOT has now expanded to Toms River, bringing its unique dining experience to the Jersey Shore. The Toms River restaurant is located within the Crossroads Commons Plaza at the intersection of Route 166 and Route 37, in the former Social 37 restaurant space.

The Reviews

Reviews for KPOT Toms River have been positive, with diners intrigued by the restaurant's novel concept and impressed by the extensive menu options. The restaurant has been praised for offering a fun and interactive dining experience, with one reviewer noting that "a meal at KPOT is a dinner and an experience".

So, if you're looking for a unique dining experience that combines delicious food, interactivity, and a vibrant atmosphere, KPOT Toms River is the place to be!

Opening dates

KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is a unique, hands-on, all-you-can-eat restaurant chain that combines traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours. The chain is expanding in the Garden State, with two new locations planned in Neptune and Toms River.

The Toms River location will be the first KPot at the Jersey Shore. It will be located in the Crossroads Commons Plaza at the intersection of Route 166 and Route 37, in the former Social 37 space. Banners promising KPot's arrival were hung outside the restaurant in September 2022, but no grand opening date has been announced yet.

The Neptune location will be in the Neptune Plaza Shopping Center on Route 66. This location has also not announced an opening date.

KPot offers a hibachi-style dining experience where customers cook their food. After choosing between barbecue, hot pot, or both, customers select their ingredients via tablet and cook them at their table. The barbecue tables have a grill in the centre, while the hot pot is cooked on individual burners at each diner's spot.

The Toms River location will be open from 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM Sunday through Thursday, and from 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Location

The KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot restaurant in Toms River is located within the Crossroads Commons Plaza at the intersection of Route 166 and Route 37. The restaurant is situated in the spot that was formerly occupied by the Social 37 restaurant and bar.

The Crossroads Commons Plaza is a shopping centre located in Toms River, New Jersey. It is anchored by a ShopRite supermarket and hosts a variety of other restaurants and retailers, including Panera Bread, Mahana Fresh, and Buffalo Wild Wings. The plaza is conveniently located at the intersection of two major routes, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists visiting the Jersey Shore.

The Toms River KPot restaurant is the first location of the chain at the Jersey Shore. The chain has multiple locations in New Jersey, primarily in North Jersey, and is expanding its presence in the state with new openings planned in Neptune and Secaucus.

KPot offers a unique dining experience that combines traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours. It is an all-you-can-eat restaurant where customers can cook their own food at the table, choosing from a wide variety of ingredients and cooking methods. The Toms River location is open for both lunch and dinner, with slightly extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

Menu

The menu at KPot Toms River offers a unique, hands-on, all-you-can-eat dining experience that combines traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours. The restaurant offers a full bar and a nightlife-like atmosphere.

For the hot pot, you first choose your cooking liquid from a variety of options, including Thai tom yum, Szechuan spicy, tomato, herb, Japanese miso, Korean seafood tofu, and mushroom. You then select your meat, which includes paper-thin slices of pork belly, brisket, chicken, and lamb. You can also add items like quail eggs, dumplings, shumai, fish cakes, shrimp, squid, fried tofu, and a variety of vegetables and noodles.

If you opt for the barbecue, you can choose from meat options such as beef, chicken, pork bulgogi, steak, short ribs, pork cheek, and pork belly. There's also a selection of seafood, including octopus, garlic shrimp, and calamari, as well as vegetables like sweet potatoes, onions, and mushrooms.

A tableside grill guide is provided to help you cook your food to perfection.

KPot also offers an extensive drink menu with a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The restaurant is located within the Crossroads Commons Plaza at the intersection of Route 166 and Route 37 in Toms River, New Jersey.

Restaurant critics' reviews

The highly anticipated KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot restaurant finally opened its doors in Toms River, marking the first KPOT at the Jersey Shore. With a unique dining concept and an extensive menu, KPOT promises to deliver an exceptional culinary experience to its patrons. The Toms River branch joins other successful KPOT locations across the country, including East Brunswick, Englewood, Jersey City, and Union.

The restaurant, located within the Crossroads Commons Plaza at the intersection of Route 166 and Route 37, has already created a buzz among locals and critics alike. KPOT sets itself apart by offering a "hands-on, all-you-can-eat experience," merging traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours. The interactive dining concept allows customers to choose their ingredients, order them via tablet, and cook them at their tables, whether it's barbecue or hot pot.

One critic from APP.com praised the restaurant's ability to combine different cuisines and create a social dining experience: "Born from four friends from different backgrounds who blended their cuisines over a shared table, KPOT is a unique, hands-on, all-you-can-eat experience that merges traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavours.” The restaurant's atmosphere, with a full bar and nightlife vibes, adds to the overall dining experience.

Critics also highlighted the extensive menu options at KPOT. For hot pot, diners first choose their cooking liquid, ranging from Thai tom yum to Japanese miso and Korean seafood tofu. They then select their choice of meat, which includes paper-thin slices of pork belly, brisket, chicken, and lamb. The real fun begins with the addition of quail eggs, dumplings, shrimp, squid, and a variety of vegetables and noodles. The barbecue options are equally enticing, with meat choices like beef, chicken, pork bulgogi, steak, and seafood items such as octopus and garlic shrimp.

The restaurant's interactive nature, where diners cook their meals at the table, creates a sense of community and makes the dining experience truly unique. Critics also commended the sauce bar, which offers a wide range of options to flavour the hot pot or barbecue dishes. The crispy mini egg rolls, paired with the different sauces, were particularly praised.

While the food is the star of the show, critics also noted the efficiency of the ordering system. Diners can place their orders through tablets, adding items to their virtual cart, and send the order directly to the kitchen. This modern approach enhances the overall efficiency of the dining experience.

KPOT Toms River has already gained popularity, with every table full and a bustling atmosphere, proving that the concept of interactive dining and flavourful cuisine is a winning combination.

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