Korean BBQ joint opens second central Ohio location

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Korean barbecue and hot pot chain, which opened its first central Ohio restaurant just last year, has launched another Columbus-area location.

KPot is now welcoming patrons near Polaris Fashion Place at 8665 Sancus Blvd., the former home of a shuttered seafood restaurant named The Seasoning Crab. The new location marks the chain's second central Ohio eatery after the first opened in 2023 at 5240 Bethel Center Mall, a spot previously occupied by Buffalo Wild Wings.

The barbecue spot is known for its all-you-can-eat menu where customers pick their own meats, seafood and vegetables before cooking them on a table-top grill and hot pot. Founded in 2018, the chain has expanded to more than 75 locations across 22 states, including two other Ohio locations in Canton and Strongsville.

KPot is joining a lineup of Asian cuisine near Polaris, along with Wild Ginger Asian Fusion which opened its third Columbus-area eatery in 2022. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opened near Polaris earlier this year, a global chain with more than 500 locations and known for serving dishes on a moving conveyor belt.

In addition, the chain is one of several Korean barbecue and hot pot restaurants to expand in central Ohio, including PJ Hot Pot Korean BBQ and Bar which opened earlier this year in a 10,000-square-foot unit previously home to a martial arts facility. The all-you-can-eat grill in central Ohio features a dining experience with ingredients delivered to each table by robots.

Korean BBQ 궁 also launched this year at Dublin's North Market Bridge Park, on the east aisle in the stall between Hoyo’s Kitchen and On Paper. Owner John Jin is an experienced restaurant operator who previously managed more than 85 sushi bars in regional Kroger stores as well as a former Korean restaurant inside Saraga Market called "Bulgogi."

Polaris' KPot is open noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.