901 Hot Pot & Korean BBQ: A Sizzling Expansion and Exciting New Location
901 Hot Pot & Korean BBQ, Memphis’s pioneering establishment of its kind, is gearing up for an exciting expansion. It’s not only expanding its existing Bartlett location but also opening a second spot at the intersection of Mount Moriah Road and Park Avenue in East Memphis.
Since its grand opening in March, 901 Hot Pot & Korean BBQ has consistently drawn a crowd, often resulting in weekend wait times of up to an hour. Co-owner Mila Wang stated, “With our expansion, we aim to accommodate more patrons and are considering introducing weekend reservations, which we currently don’t offer.”
The restaurant uniquely combines the traditional Chinese hot pot experience with the thrill of Korean barbecue, offering an extensive all-you-can-eat menu featuring over 100 items, including premium beef brisket, short ribs, pork belly, chicken, seafood, dumplings, and an array of vegetables. To enhance the dining experience, there’s a sauce bar with over 20 sauces and spices for customers to customize their flavors.
Guests are allocated a two-hour dining window, and minimizing food wastage is encouraged, evident by prominently placed signs at each table. The expansion in Bartlett will provide seating for an additional 80 people, complete with two party rooms, expanding the restaurant’s footprint to approximately 8,000 square feet.
Mila Wang, one of the restaurant’s co-owners, relocated from New York to Memphis two years ago and recognized the demand for a traditional hot pot restaurant in the area. “New York boasts numerous successful hot pot eateries, and many major cities have their own. We thought, ‘Why not Memphis?'”
At 901 Hot Pot, diners can select from a diverse array of meats, vegetables, seafood, rice, and noodles to prepare at their own hot pots and grills located at each table. Wang emphasizes the interactive nature of the experience, where people engage in conversation and communal cooking rather than being glued to their phones.
Notably, 901 Hot Pot was the first restaurant in Memphis to introduce robots to its staff. These BellaBot robots guide diners to their tables and serve food when it’s ready. Wang remarks, “It’s a tool that enhances efficiency, and most people hardly think twice about it after their initial visit.”
The Bartlett location has a secure 10-year lease, and the expansion is slated to be operational by December. Meanwhile, the East Memphis location is anticipated to open its doors in 2024. Wang’s vision includes expanding to more locations within the area. She notes, “We have customers coming from Arkansas and Mississippi because we’re the only one of its kind in the tri-state area. People travel quite a distance to dine here.”
901 Hot Pot & Korean BBQ, situated at 2965 Germantown Parkway, serves lunch from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The pricing is $19.99 for adults, $7.99 for children aged 4-6, and $11.99 for children aged 7-10. For dinner, they’re open from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays, noon to 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays. Dinner prices are $29.99 for adults, $11.99 for children aged 4-6, and $15.99 for children aged 7-10. Weekday reservations can be made through their website at 901hotpot.com.