I ate at KPot in West Des Moines, the latest Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurant
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Our table layout for hot pot. Photo: Linh Ta/Axios
When I learned that KPot was opening in West Des Moines, I was beyond ecstatic — my parents regularly took day trips to Kansas City just to eat there.
What it is: A Korean BBQ and hot pot chain known for its reasonable prices.
- Servers bring you unlimited uncooked meats and veggies, which you boil in soup (hot pot) or cook on the shared grill.
- You can eat for up to two hours.
How it works: You decide if you want BBQ, hot pot or both, then use a tablet to order.
- There are lots of meat choices, including beef bulgogi, steak, garlic chicken, pork belly and shrimp. Veggie choices include bok choy, corn, onions, taro, mushrooms and spinach.
- Weekday lunches are $21 and dinner/weekends are $31 for adults. If you want both BBQ and hot pot, it's $5 more.
What I liked: It's a fun group dining experience and everything I ate was tasty — plus, the price can't be beat.
- I was a fan of the spicy Szechuan broth with udon noodles, sliced pork and plenty of leafy veggies.
- For the BBQ, I enjoyed the spicy bulgogi, short ribs and a dipping sauce I concocted myself.
Reality check: Like most new restaurants, the staff seemed like they were still getting the hang of things.
- We front-loaded our orders to make sure we had everything from the get-go, rather than waiting too long between orders.
- I also recommend signing up for the online waitlist before going.
Pro tip: Korean BBQ can feel like a fast, overwhelming experience, but the extra steps are part of the fun.
- Cook the thicker cuts longer and have an extra plate on the side to put finished meats that people can grab from.
If you go: Noon to 10pm, Sunday-Thursday; noon to 10:30pm, Friday-Saturday; 7105 Mills Civic Pkwy., #160, West Des Moines.
