K-POT heats up the local dining scene
Watch out! The latest entry to the Westchester dining scene is coming in hot…pot.
BY CLARA ENDERS
After months of renovations, K-POT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot finally opened last week at 825 Central Park Avenue, better known as the previous location of TGI Fridays. While new to our neighborhood, the chain has over 160 locations in thirty-eight states, including one in Midtown Manhattan. The Insider stopped by for a midweek lunch to see if K-POT brings some sizzle to Scarsdale.
Lookin' good K-POT features trendy custom décor throughout the restaurant.
The space has been completely redone, featuring futuristic blue lighting, cozy booths, and big tables for larger parties. Every table has been fitted with grills and heating elements for diners to prepare their food. K-POT was already quite busy at 12:30 p.m. on a Thursday, but we were seated quickly. Our waiter and other staff provided high-touch, attentive service, even though orders are placed via a tablet.
At lunch, diners can choose from all-you-can-eat hotpot or barbecue for $20.99, but can order both options for a $5 upgrade. We opted for tomato broth in our hotpot, and ordered add-ins such as prime brisket, broccoli, udon noodles, shiitake mushrooms, and fried tofu. As for the Korean barbecue, we enjoyed the shrimp and both the regular and spicy bulgogi. K-POT has an appetizer and dipping sauce bar where we customized sesame, peanut, and ponzu sauces with mix-ins such as scallions, garlic, and chili sauce.
Our party’s preferences were divided—I preferred the barbecue, but my dining companion was partial to the hot pot. Ordering both allows you to mix-and-match add-ins, yet there seemed to be more options, especially vegetables, for the hot pot. I especially enjoyed the hot pot gyoza and the king oyster mushrooms, and it was fun to experiment dipping them in our various sauce concoctions.
Ready to take a dip Our hotpot fare included udon noodles, sweet potatoes, and vegetable gyoza.
Overall, I preferred the barbeque for the delicious protein options available. The shrimp was fresh and sweet, and paired nicely with the ponzu dipping sauce. Both the barbeque bulgogi dishes stood out over the boiled prime brisket in the hot pot, and I thought that the spicy bulgogi was the highlight dish of the afternoon. It was perfectly seasoned and the meat was very tender. Included with the meal is ice cream for dessert, and the Hershey’s pumpkin flavor was a sweet and refreshing note to end on.
How to choose? While both bulgogi dishes were delicious, we preferred the spicy option.
One thing to note before your visit to K-POT is that some menu options are available for dinner only. This includes the steak, short ribs, salmon, octopus, and pork cheek in the Korean barbecue, and the shrimp and ribeye for the hot pot. So, it is up to you to decide if these additional options are worth the $31.99 dinner price; we were plenty full at lunch without them.
We greatly enjoyed our experience at K-POT and will definitely be back soon. For the all-you-can-eat, high-quality meal we enjoyed, K-POT is an excellent deal. Given their set prices, endless options, and late hours, this seems like a great spot for birthdays and other large gatherings (just be aware that they are currently awaiting their liquor license).
Great news for night owls K-POT has unusually late hours for our area, making it a great party and gathering place.
It is always a thrill to have a new place in town, but this is especially true when a restaurant highlights a cuisine many may not be familiar with. K-POT presents an exciting dining experience for Scarsdale that is sure to please hotpot aficionados and newbies alike.
Clara Enders is a native Scarsdalian and a lifelong foodie.