Korean hot pot restaurant, ‘like do-it-yourself-ramen,’ coming to Lexington
A new restaurant devoted to a popular Asian eating style will be opening in Lexington.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is coming to 2860 Richmond Rd. in Patchen Square, just behind LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Skyline Chili and First Watch.
The restaurant is a New York-based chain that has locations on the East Coast and is expanding across the country, bringing Korean hot pot style dining to lots of new fans.
What is Korean hot pot? Typically it’s a communal experience, where a table of diners put a selection of meats, seafood or soy proteins with vegetables, mushrooms and seasonings in boiling water or broth at their table.
Lexington bar and restaurant owner Robert Garrison, who is opening KPOT with business partner Michele Zheng and others, described it as “a little bit like do-it-yourself ramen.”
It’s huge in Asia, where there are many variations.
“This concept is the hot new trend out of South Korea, it’s all you can eat, and very modern,” Garrison said.
Korean food isn’t new to Lexington, which has several restaurants including one that also features Korean hot pot for two: Arirang Korean BBQ at 109 Mt. Tabor Rd.
Other Korean restaurants include Han Woo Ri on South Limestone, JY Kitchen on Delaware, Koreana Authentic Restaurant on Woodhill Drive and Seki K in DY Market on Clays Mill Road.
What makes this one different is the focus on hot pot and do-it-yourself Korean barbecue and seafood and the KPOT experience, which is described as “a vibrant, open-space concept with large screen TVs, music, and a pop-culture ‘night life’ atmosphere.”
Garrison, who also is a co-owner in the Green Lantern bar, plans to bring some of his Tiki Java flair to the restaurant, which will have a full bar.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot will be 8,400 square feet so there will be plenty of room for groups. It also will have space for private parties.
Garrison said they hope to open in seven to nine months, depending on construction. Garrison and Zheng also plan to open KPOT restaurants in Louisville and Northern Kentucky.
He said that they are sensitive to the concerns about their new restaurant’s proximity to other popular Asian restaurants in the area but they believe an “all boats rise” philosophy will help others as well.
“Support local, always, just as we are also local business owners who continue to employ local service industry folks as well as providing business for our local vendors and distributors,” Garrison said in a statement. “There is still plenty of room to grow among Lexington’s Asian Cuisine scene, and we hope KPOT is just the beginning of new and exciting concepts usually only seen in larger metropolitan areas.”
