Jan. 24, 2025

The long-awaited KPOT has set its opening date: Feb. 5.

“We’re going to bring an interactive dining experience to the area,” said Anna Zheng, who along with partners owns the local franchise of the national Korean barbecue and hot pot restaurant.

Each table in the restaurant at 2814 S. Louise Ave. will have a tablet that customers will use for ordering, with photos of all the ingredients to help them pick, Zheng said.

Diners who pick hot pot will get their own bowl filled with one of eight flavors of broth and will use that to cook the meats, vegetables and noodles they choose.

Those who choose barbecue will have a grill at their table to cook their own meats and vegetables.

“You’ll get to have fun and practice your chef skills,” Zheng said. “Servers are there to help if needed. The nice thing is you get to grill and you don’t have to clean it up.”

Everything cooks quickly – in less than five minutes, she noted.

A gluten-friendly menu is available with lots of options for diners.

All meals are all-you-can-eat with prices starting at $21 per person for lunch and $31 for dinner. Order both hot pot and barbecue, and the price is $5 more per person.

KPOT will be perfect for celebrations, Zheng said.

“It’s supposed to be fun for the community,” she said. “Come with your friends and family and enjoy the experience and the food.”

The restaurant will seat about 200 people at tables for two, four, six and eight guests.

KPOT has a full liquor license and will serve more than 50 cocktails and mocktails, Zheng said. Soju, a liquor that originated in Korea, will be available in nine flavors, and sake and wine will be served. Eight craft beers will be on tap, including one local offering that she’s close to selecting.

Other drinks include bubble tea, soda and juice.

The restaurant will have a nightclub vibe, Zheng said. “It’s a little darker with neon lights.”

Adding to the party atmosphere are 88-ounce cocktail and beer towers and drinks with names like WYMA, Pineapple Painkiller and Princess Peach.

Zheng, who was born in Minnesota, grew up there and went to college at Iowa State, moved to Sioux Falls two years ago to get the restaurant ready. At the same time, she and her franchise partners were working to bring a KPOT to Des Moines. That location opened at the Jordan Creek Town Center in November.

With that one going and Sioux Falls almost ready, Zheng said the partners are scouting additional cities, but nothing is finalized yet. KPOT has almost 100 restaurants and hopes to double that number this year, she said.

In Sioux Falls, the restaurant had a hiring event last week. “Most of the staff are hired, but we still need a few more here and there,” Zheng said. Applicants can find open positions on Indeed.

The staff will start training Jan. 31, preparing for the customers who will arrive the following week.

KPOT’s hours will be noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the last seating one hour before closing.