Food I like: K-pot Towson
K-pot: a surprisingly fun family experience
I’ve been to K-pot twice now with at least one of my kids. Each time we have left pleasantly stuffed and with memories of a fun dining experience. From the moment we stepped in, the friendly staff made us feel welcome and provided excellent service throughout our meal. I’m not ashamed to say that I needed a lot of guidance for what to choose and how to cook it. Both times the staff has been there as attentive, warm guides.
K-pot proved to be a hit with my children. The K-pop hits and TVs caught their attention initially, but it was the interactive cooking concept that truly won them over. The kids were thrilled to participate in cooking their food right at the table. It brought an element of fun and excitement to the meal, creating lasting memories for our whole family.
The Basics
This is a chain restaurant with dozens of locations throughout the US. I hadn’t heard of the chain before they moved in on Pennsylvania Avenue so maybe a lot of this is common knowledge. They keep to a Pan-Asian concept as evidenced by the mix of Szechuan, Thai, and Korean menu elements.
The restaurant uses an all you can eat concept with the default being the hot pot option. There is an option to add a grilling option. For the hot pot option, each diner chooses a broth which they’ll use to cook a variety of vegetables, meats, and noodles. My kids love the mushroom or miso broth, while I’ve been super happy with the Spicy Szechuan option which has the right mix of spiciness and numbing for me. From there you scroll through an iPad to pick from a variety of ingredients with different availability depending on the time of day. I usually order more meat than I should and underestimate the number of veggies I’ll actually want. After a few minutes of pressing submit a cart will appear with the selected ingredients to cook in the broth you’ve chosen. The server will guide you through how long to cook what and generally ensure you get the most out of your meal (shout out to Micah). There’s also a buffet with various appetizer, dessert and make your own sauce options. My wife didn’t get onboard with the meal until she decided to make her own peanut sauce at the buffet. From there she was a true believer.
Tip 1: skip the grilling option
One piece of advice I have for visitors to K-pot is to skip the grilling option. While it may sound enticing, I found that the extra expense didn’t drastically improve my dining experience. So, save yourself the cost and focus on making the most f the hot pot option and buffet.
Tip 2: head there for lunch if possible
If you’re in Towson at lunch time, you might find lunch at K-pot to be a better dining experience. The scene at night is definitely vibrant. The night we were there K-pop was bumping, the college crowd was enjoying reuniting with friends after the summer away, and there was a small wait for a table. Go in the evening if that’s your scene, but at this stage in my life I prefer a more sedate experience with my family. There’s also a savings for the lunch option and, though there are menu limitations, I didn’t miss any of the items that are only available on the dinner menu.
Wrapping it up
In summary, K-pot is a fun find for me and the family. It offers a friendly and vibrant atmosphere, a fun experience for kids, and a satisfying all you can eat concept. The attentive staff and lively ambiance make it an ideal spot for families and friends looking to enjoy a delicious meal together. While the grilling option might seem enticing, my recommendation would be to trust the expertise of K-pot's talented chefs and let them take you on a flavorful journey.
Ben Aylesworth is a West Towson Neighborhood Association Board member and lover of eating. He’s eaten a variety of foods from across the globe and prioritizes substance over style (though style points count). He’s lived in 4 countries, travelled to many more, and has appreciated everything from the humblest chicken box to restaurants with multiple Michelin stars across multiple continents. If this all sounds pretentious, it is but in a self-aware way that acknowledges his humble roots in northeast Baltimore City. As long as there’s interest, he’ll try to share what he loves about different Towson restaurants.
