“Let’s Smoke.” Let’s Eat. | Pot, K-Town

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photo via Tastemade
photo via Tastemade

I had the honor and privilege of getting a first taste at chef Roy Choi’s latest creation, Pot, at the gorgeous Line Hotel in the heart of Koreatown. If you know who Roy Choi is, Pot is everything you’d expect it to be and then some. If you don’t know Roy Choi, here’s a few things you need to know before we continue our praises: 1). Roy Choi is one bad ass Korean Angeleno mother f*cker (in the kitchen and on the Twitter). 2). Roy Choi is crazy and cool in the best way possible (refer to any and all @ridingshotgunla’s tweets) and he’s got a knack for making the most confusing things sound perfectly sensible – that goes for his menus as well as his 140 character thoughts. And last but not least, 3). Roy Choi is practically the poster boy for modern Los Angeles and our town is more than proud and accepting of this because, he’s freakin’ Roy Choi! And in true Roy Choi fashion Pot makes quite the fun, interesting, and delicious culinary statement.

Chef Choi has had incredible success with his other eclectic ventures including the famed Kogi Truck, A-Frame, Sunny Spot, and my personal fav, the Alibi Room, but Pot is his latest project that sticks it straight to his American Korean roots. All of his ventures include a bit of his heritage and a certain homage to his culture, but Pot is the venture he’s taken all the way. From location, to menu, you’re definitely not West of the 405 anymore.

Enter Pot to find a minimalist clean space with elements of authentic Korean dining with hints of “only Roy Choi” aspects. Amongst the brightly lit, clean, almost cafeteria-esque interior find life in the 90’s/early 2000’s throw back R&B beats playing at a “I’m gonna get up and dance” decibel, and the wait staff completely decked out in the most enjoyable, J’adorable, ensembles. See below for the cutest damn hosts you’ve ever seen.

The heart and soul of Pot is in the authentic, flavorful, cheeky and cleverly named hot “pots”: “Dang, Son”, “Boot Knocker”, and “Jamaal Wilkes” to name a few. The pots are meant for sharing and even the small is pretty filling for just two people, I shared the “Old School” pot – a staff favorite across the board, and after tasting it the reasoning as to why that must be became blatantly obvious: slow cooked veggies, yummy noodles, and the best damn tender sirloin had me practically inhaling every bite. *warning, this may induce meat sweats, but trust me, it’s worth every bead.* Fortunately wearing white and trying to gracefully slurp very long noodles make the “inhaling” a little difficult.

Besides the array of pots the menu includes several plates and sides including dumplings, a potato pancake, kimchi, noodle bowls, rice bowls, and much more you’d expect to find in a Korean restaurant. If you’re big on sharing and tasting several things, this is definitely the place to do that as it’s actually recommended.

Pot, in true Roy Choi fashion, is most certainly a must-have, unique, ‘only in LA’ experience. I danced like Taylor Swift at the Grammy’s (like no one was watching, white girl kinda dancing) chopsticks in hand, mouthed words to a few Tupac songs, and got my fill of some impressively (but not surprisingly) delicious Roy Choi K-Town grub. Pot is OFFICIALLY opening next Tuesday so GET. UP. IN. THERE. Pot will not be taking reservations but fear not as if you must wait, at least you will be waiting by the gorgeous Lobby bar or the Cafe. In other words, you will have the option of having a cookie, a piece of hello kitty cake, or a delicious cocktail to keep you entertained until you can be seated. Put Pot at the top of your list next week, thank me later!

photo via Tastemade
photo via Tastemade

Pot Koreatown Menu

Pot Koreatown Pickled Veggies

"Kat Man Doo" Dumplings at Pot Koreatown

"Old School" Pot at Pot in Koreatown

"Kat Man Doo" Dumplings at Pot Koreatown

Pot Lobby Bar

Pot Lobby Bar

Cafe at Line Hotel

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