KPot Korean BBQ Offers a Unique, but Disappointing Experience

Walking into KPot, the first thing we noticed was the atmosphere. The dining room is visually striking, with colorful neon KPot signs mounted across the ceiling and a dark, modern interior that clearly aims for a trendy, nightlife-style vibe. Unfortunately, our first interaction didn’t match the excitement of the space. The hostesses were joking around with the guests ahead of us, which felt friendly but took longer than expected. We stood waiting, taking in the room, but the delay was noticeable and mildly frustrating.

Once we were acknowledged, the hostess asked whether we had been there before or wanted an explanation of the menu. Since this was our first visit, we opted for the explanation. What we received, however, was very surface-level. We were told that the BBQ side of the menu was for grilling and the hot pot side was for soup. That was essentially it.

When we arrived at our table, another detail stood out immediately. The menus themselves were in rough shape. The lamination was peeling and coming apart at the edges, giving them a cheap, worn-out feel that didn’t align with the restaurant’s upscale pricing. It may seem like a small thing, but first impressions matter, especially when you’re paying over $30 per person.

The table was already set with a built-in grill, tongs, and utensils, but again, no explanation was given about how anything worked. Our server, Victor, came by shortly after to take our drink order and showed us how to place food orders using the tablet at the table. Once that was done, we were left to figure things out on our own.

We placed our first order through the tablet: two orders of chicken, one pork, lamb, salmon, and a selection of vegetables. While waiting, we were told we could visit the sauce, appetizer, and dessert bar. This area is mostly made up of sauces, condiments, and fruit, with a few hot items mixed in.

The chicken wings were the standout item from the bar, but realistically, wings are not what you come to a Korean BBQ restaurant for. The rest of the bar felt more like an accessory than a highlight.

Eventually, a cart was wheeled over to our table with the raw meats and vegetables. At that point, we noticed one of our chicken orders was missing. Still, no one explained how to cook anything or what cuts needed more attention. A small card on the table mentioned that most items should be cooked for three to five minutes per side, so we followed that guidance as best we could.

We placed the food on the grill, waited a few minutes, flipped everything, and waited again. At one point, Victor returned and asked if we wanted the grill changed. Not fully understanding why that mattered, we hesitated, but when he asked if we planned to order another round and we said yes, he removed the metal grill plate from the table and replaced it with a clean one.

This process repeated several times over the course of the meal. While it was interesting at first, the novelty wore off quickly. The experience involved a lot of waiting and relatively small portions of food. The tablet tracks how long you’ve been dining, and before we knew it, we were already approaching the 80-minute mark.

By the time the bill came, reality set in. The cost is $31.99 per person for either BBQ or hot pot. With tax, my wife and I were already over $70. While this was certainly a different dining experience, the price made it hard to justify, especially given the lack of instruction and overall value.

For dessert, the only option available was a small cup of ice cream with a tiny plastic spoon. It felt like an afterthought and didn’t do much to wrap up the meal on a high note.

After leaving, we talked with others who had been to KPot before and learned that there are additional things guests can do, such as adjusting the grill settings and properly using the overhead hood vent system. These features were never explained to us, and knowing about them ahead of time likely would have improved the experience significantly.

In the end, KPot Korean BBQ may appeal to diners who truly enjoy cooking their own food, experimenting with grill controls, and don’t mind putting in the work before eating. But if you’re expecting a more guided, sit-down Korean BBQ experience where staff walk you through the process, you may find yourself as disappointed as we were. The concept is interesting, but without better instruction and at this price point, it’s hard to fully recommend.