Love love love this spot. Came here since it's close to work; I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. Food was great, if you get the bowl option, you step through the menu by choosing meat, base (noodles, rice, etc.), vegetables, and sauce. I got the tofu with everything and with ZOODLES, of all things. I wanted to keep it relatively low carb and calorie and that was a great option to see. I got a coke too - they have Excel products! I was so excited. They have juices, smoothies, salads, etc., here in addition to the bowl. Everything really looked wonderful and I had a hard time deciding. Very health conscious and geared towards local products. A majority of their products are local only, if not all. Only downside is that it's a little pricey... But that just means it's a treat meal and not an all the time one. Will definitely be back to visit this gem - and I'll have plenty of combinations to try!
(5)
Linda P.
Gave this restaurant one more try. I want to like it. I really do. It has things we like such as independently owned, fresh ingredients and healthy options. Here's what we don't like about this place after going four different times. The food/sauces just don't have any flavor. The employees as well as the owner are never friendly!!! If it's a regular that walks in then they are friendly. But if you aren't one of those regulars, forget it. It's almost as if it is too much trouble to take your order or answer questions. The pluses are the food is hot and fresh. Negatives would be bland food and unfriendly staff. The dine in area is cramped. No flavor and almost rude staff is a miss for us. If you treat us like we should take our business elsewhere then we certainly will.
(1)
Mel A.
The HotPot is actually one of my favorite places and I really should come here more often. The place uses local ingredients to most, if not all, of their menu items and I love supporting local places so this place is awesome. Aside from that, their food is always wholesome and delicious. I found out recently that they do a Sunday brunch and today, I saw on one of their boards that their brunch is a Saturday and Sunday thing from 10am-3pm. I have only had their hotpots with all of the veggies (or as they like to say "raked thru the garden") with udon, with either chicken or spicy beef but I have tried several different sauces (including green curry, miso, misoyaki, and green chile). My favorite by far is the miso. The flavor of the sauce is quite subtle but you add in the protein and all the other vegetable and you got yourself a very tasty meal! Today, I ended up getting a spicy beef with udon raked thru the garden minus the mushrooms. They have also added a new sauce - poblano pesto but I am sad to say that I did not notice it on the board when I was first looking. This will give me another reason to come back and try a different sauce! They do have salads and sandwiches as well but I have never tried them. I am just a big fan of their hotpots so even if it's almost 100 degrees outside, I will still get a hotpot bowl if I find myself at this restaurant. Service has always been great here but be warned, they do get busy doing peak lunch and close to dinner hours when people want to stop by and pick-up dinners to take home. The place is fairly small but if you are dining in and the main floor is looking packed, don't fret for there are more seats downstairs.
(5)
Amrita R.
Finally stopped in here and the food certainly is fresh. The portions are huge! My fiance got the udon noodles with char siu pork and misoyaki. It was the best dish. Mine was so bland in comparison--I tried the green chili rice noodles with beef. They weren't spicy at all and rather boring. But when we mixed them both together it was delicious! After a long hot day out, this was a satisfying and tasty lunch, and if it was any closer I'd definitely be back to try some other combinations! I can't help but think this place would be so popular in the Central West End or the Loop...
(4)
Kevin D.
I've been here twice and disappointed both times. The concept and menu is great but not executed with any quality control. Veggies are undercooked, one dish has too much sauce and another has too little. Veggies are cut so large they're hard to eat. Beef is poorly trimmed and fatty. I won't be back.
(2)
Katie H.
I've been dying to try this place for about a year because I'm paleo! And I have to say I thought it was a pretty cool place! I got the pork - I was very happy to hear that it isn't prepared/seasoned with any soy. I loaded the rest of the bowl with broccoli, carrots, red bell peppers, onion and cabbage on top of a bed of sweet potatoes. I topped it all off with the Green Chile sauce. I have to agree with some other reviews I read that they don't give you a huge serving of the protein. But I'm not sure I'd pay to add more because the bowl of food is so huge and very filling. I know I wouldn't get carrots in my bowl again because they aren't cooked long enough to soften, and that's how I personally prefer them. I liked the Green Chile sauce - it was a little sweet and a little garlic-y. I'd probably get it again.
(4)
Stacy B.
First visit for lunch yesterday and I have to say, it was pretty good. I had yelped it and checked the menu so I was already familiar with the process. I suggest everyone do that just so you get how to do it. It's a build your bowl menu and the possibilities are endless! The staff was very nice. I asked some questions about the sauces and he was very knowledgable. They were pretty busy when I arrived at 12:45 pm, which to me, is always a good sign. I placed my order and sat at the one available table. It's a small place. The wait was not to long and soon my bowl arrived piping hot and fresh. I ordered the beef, which was fall apart tender. It didn't seem spicy as the menu suggests. I "raked it through the garden" which includes all the available veggies. The veggies were cooked to perfection. Super fresh, bright, and just the right amount of crunch. I ordered the green chile sauce. Flavor was wonderful but it was a little thinner than I would have liked. But that didn't stop me from drinking it up with a spoon! I finished my bowl with rice noodles which were also cooked correctly. Lastly, the serving was huge! I will return to try other combinations. A little gem hidden away in a strip mall. If you blink, you'll miss it!
(4)
O W.
What a wonderful meal we had tonight at this restaurant. Everything was exceptionally fresh and wonderful flavor. The owner was in the store and couldn't have been nicer! We will return!!!
(5)
Andy C.
I went for a Primal/Paleo Meetup and I was very impressed with the paleo brunch options. I chose the Sweet and Spicy Beef Hash and enjoyed it quite a bit. One person I was with had the Famous 3 Egg Fold-in and she raved about it. I saw another person who ordered the Gluten Free Biscuits and Gravy and it looked really good, when I go back that is definitely what I plan to try. On my way out I picked up a fresh juice drink; The Dirty Apple (beet, apple, ginger, carrot) and boy was it good! The service was friendly and helpful. I look forward to my next visit.
(4)
Terry F.
Went to a Chef' Dinner last night. It was great. The Chef's dinner consisted of many courses. Each was outstanding With new liquor license having a glass of wine was a new addition. Chef Greg said he hopes to have these special dinners monthly. I highly recommend the experience. These dinners give the Chef a chance to display his culinary expertise to meals outside the already delicious fare served daily.
(5)
Jericho R.
Food is great and fresh. I ordered Udon noodles with green curry and chicken. The portion sizes are fairly good size. The restaurant is very small but it can seat between 15-20 guests. They do have outdoor seating but it's limited. The spicy sauce isn't really spice. Food prices are reasonable. Next time I would try with brown rice.
(4)
John K.
Never settle! Hotpot continues to refine and tweak their restaurant. The dining area has been opened up and no longer feels cramped. The menu is more clearly laid out to make it easier for new customers. Several menu items have been added to make the bowl options even more endless. I want to also highlight that they have some of the best homemade hot sauces I've ever tried. They could seriously start a side business by bottling this stuff. They are appropriately named "Bad Kitty", "Lucky Cat", & "Don't mess w/ Ginger". I challenge you to add the last two to your dish and not have your eyes water and nose run. They also have a sauce called Voodoo Kitty that is so hot I was crying. I would never try this again even if someone double dog dared me. Proceed at your own risk. Anyway, Bravo Hotpot. You may just be the best kept secret in town.
(5)
Katie W.
Lacking flavor and soupy. Glad I got it to go so I could strain it at home and add some flavor.
(2)
Jennifer J.
I am a picky eater at restaurants because it is difficult to find a reasonably priced vegetarian-friendly meal that: (a) isn't prepared in a way that completely strips the ingredients of its taste and texture, (a) is substantial in its variety of vegetables, thus avoiding the (c) often painfully obvious compilation of a meat-based entree's side vegetables (or even burger toppings...), and, lastly, (d) ACTUALLY TASTES GOOD. Being able to choose the ingredients and the amount of each ingredient in my meal was comforting and, ultimately, a fun experience. When home from college for the upcoming summer, I plan to try many more combinations! Dining here with the me(s; picky eater) in your life would be a much appreciated gesture that shows your respect for their dietary needs and preferences! Treating yourself to a meal here, too, wouldn't be at all rude to your tummy :)
(5)
Annie S.
I love this place!! Everything is so fresh, healthy and delicious here. Smoothies are all amazing and they have great base options such as coconut water and almond milk! I love the Hot Pot Bowls. You can design your own with whatever you want! They load it up with vegetables so it is so healthy and the sauces are all so delicious and flavorful. I got the Hot Pot Bowl with Chicken, Carrots, Spinach, Celery, Tomatoes and Quinoa with the Green Chile Sauce. So good. I also split one of their "candy bars" which was so delicious. Almonds mixed with coconut sugar with a dark chocolate coating on the bottom. Yum! You must try this cute place!
(5)
Meghan T.
Love this place! A great choice for a healthy and tasty meal. Plenty of healthy choices available and large portions.
(5)
Jazz I.
I can finally eat out and not worry about eating unhealthy! Like how the STL heathy-eating scene is changing for the good :) I love the gazillion options to make your meal, and especially like that they offer zoodles/Zuknoodles. Just a heads up - some of the curries may be low on salt (prolly intentional?). My fave is the poblano pesto curry with tofu and veggies.
(4)
Smaran M.
A fantastic place for vegetarians to eat. Although there were only a few sauces to choose from to go in the hot pot, the ones we tried were really well made. Fresh ingredients and warm staff make this place easy to like. The juices were super fresh and I always appreciate that more than bottled orange juice served at restaurants. We need more places like this in town.
(4)
Courtney C.
Just ate here with my mom. We both got bowls and the cucumber lemonade-very refreshing! My bowl was the tofu with udon noodles, almost all of the veggies, and the green curry I believe (whichever is the mix of two). I loved it and it was not too spicy for me but like others have mentioned, it is kind of watery which I don't mind, it just made it messy to eat...I would recommend getting the brown rice or quinoa or something that would absorb the flavor more! Another note is that the tofu is not flavored at all, so it was just a bit plain for me. I loved eating here though and I love the juice options, just a little trial and error to see what suits me! Another note-the owner(female) was very friendly and nice even when we took awhile to order. I always respect people like that! I will return!
(4)
Chelsea B.
I couldn't have been more disappointed with this place. The staff was very unfriendly and the food was flavorless and bland. Definitely not worth the price and I won't be back.
(1)
Matt T.
My wife has been wanting to come here for lunch for ages. Given she is gluten and dairy free, there are limited options. I myself was looking forward to the bahn mi that I saw in the photos. The staff was friendly and answered all of our questions. She ordered a wrap and iced tea, I a smoothie and sandwich. I realized that they no longer serve bahn mi, instead, their sandwiches are served on ciabatta with sauteed peppers & onions, and sauce. The char siu pork was great in my Red Pork sammy, but I was a bit disappointed with the bread and toppings. Again, just a function of expectations.The smoothie was outstanding, and my wife loved her food (crispy pork wrap). There are plenty of other items I can eat on the menu next visit, but I was bummed that they no longer serve what I heard so many good things about. Oh well, you can't have it all...or can you? One minor nit: the credit card machine asked me if I wanted to leave a 15, 20, or 25% tip. I was a bit thrown off here. Remember, you give them your order at the counter, you collect your own silverware and napkins, you pour your own drinks, you box up your own leftovers, you even bus your own table when you're done. What does the staff do? They take your order, make your food, and bring it to the table. Is that really worth the same tip (or slightly less) that you would give to a server who waits on you from start to finish? If their staff is making $5.13 under the assumption they will get tips, I'd like to know that so I can take care of them. Anyway, was not something I was ready to think about.
(4)
Amy K.
Today was my second time there. I now felt comfortable with how to order. So I started with step 1. The meat...I chose beef. Then veggies...so on. This was a to go order so much to my surprise when I got home there was NO meat. Absolutely none! I am hoping this was just human error. But it was disappointing.
(2)
Lauren T.
Local supportive. Good community feel. Build your own hot pot bowl, pick all your protein, pick you own ingredients. Big serving all mixed together with curry of choice. Not a good place to go if your looking to order off a menu. Small place, cramped moving around upstairs but downstairs was open and quiet which was nice to eat alone and read. I saw french toast on the breakfast menu on Sundays from 9am-2pm which caught my eye. I give it a try again, but I would order something different than the bowl.
(3)
Jim K.
Disappointing. Very salty with little flavor. Chicken was all dark meat and full of fat. We sampled several menu items and do not understand the high reviews by others. Maybe just a bad night. We were hoping for a hidden treasure.
(1)
Haley J.
Went my myself in the afternoon, were pretty busy, seem to have a bunch or regulars. Staff was friendly and quick with the rush. Food was great I got a bowl with chicken, onions, peppers, spinach, zucchini noodles and some type of lemon miso sauce. Was a very big portion had to take the rest home. I also got a paleo treat for $3, I got carrot cake to take with me.
(4)
Doug M.
Is this place a dive, or is it extremely hipster eclectic? That's what I was thinking when we walked in. I guess it's all your perspective. Actually, it was a fun, interesting motif regardless.Hard to describe, except lots of unmatched fixtures, colored chalk menu boards, paintings for sale on the wall, etc. The workers were all pretty nice, and patient with us newbies that had to think through how to order at the counter. The hot pots took a while to be ready, even though it was pretty empty in there. But I'll chalk that up to everything being fresh and freshly prepared. My hot pot bowl - roasted sweet potato, double portion char sui pork, raked thru the garden, w/poblano pesto & thai green curry. Man it was good! So savory, and a pretty good sized bowl of food, too for only $10. One quibble was that, while I had a good amount of what they call protein (and I call the pork), it seemed a little light for a double portion. My wife's single portion of chicken in her bowl was also a little lighter than I would want. But I would have to say it was acceptable for the price. The wife's hot pot bowl udon was noodles, chicken, raked thru the garden, w/spicy miso & lemon mango curry. Really good, too. However, I prefer the savoriness that the curry gave mine vs. the miso in this one. For a dessert I got a paleo banana muffin. As I understand, paleo means natural ingredients and minimally processed. And it tasted/felt that way. That's a good thing! Fresh banana flavor, and a bit more coarse texture in the muffin than from a bakery.- I overuse the word, but the texture made it more interesting. Simple and very casual, but good food and an enjoyable time.
(4)
Robert B.
Food is fresh and healthy, with tons of options. The roasted sweet potatoes are a great alternative to noodles. It's a great place where you can really get a healthy AND tasty lunch! I wish they had one where I live!
(5)
Hao X.
OMG I totally see myself coming here ALL THE TIME! This place is called 'hotpot' because hotpot suggests communal eating and that's what the owner wanted for her restaurant. They have gluten free, vegetarian, and lots of other dietary restriction options. That means everyone can eat (and thus communal/community)! My bf's friend lives around here (like 5 blocks away) and whenever we go over to his place to play board games (yes, we're nerds), I never know what to eat! I don't like hardee's or taco bell too much! But this place! This place is PERFECT! It's cute and has great food options. You pick starch, sauce, and protein and they make it for you with your choice of veggies! Simple and delicious! I got the bulgogi beef with udon in thai green curry sauce and ALL THE VEGGIES! When i got the food it smelled SO good that I had to exert massive amounts of self control to not eat it immediately. This place is the perfect addition to my board games nights! I might just try to put them in my speed dial. :P
(4)
Michelle S.
We were so looking forward to a healthy meal that was super spicy. Wrong! The sauce is like soup in the bottom of the bowl and didn't adhere to the contents of the hot pot. We had one beef and one pork-the beef was WAY better but there was very little protein. We both opted for all the veg and the zucchini noodle with green curry and used at least 5 ounces of their homemade hot sauce to make it edible. Great service!
(3)
Jill M.
My friend picked up a lunch to go, so I didn't actually visit Hot Pot, but the food I had was wonderful! I had a chicken bowl with all the veggies, and a coco-tini drink. I pigged out and ate my whole meal, but I didn't feel disgusting afterwards like I normally would after eating so much. I can't wait to try Hot Pot again (and I can't believe I live 30 seconds from here and it took me this long to try it!)
(4)
Christina O.
this is a cool lunch spot i discovered it thanks to groupon. i 'made my own' bowl and stuffed it with a bunch of goodies-there's lots to choose from. i tried their spiciest sauce which was the poblano pesto. it was good but not as spicy as i expected so i added their red garlic sauce.. now that one has more of a kick. it's a large portion but they have chinese takeout boxes to make your own doggie bag. they dont have standard sodas like coke/pepsi but similar variations of them. try the cucumber lemonade-very refreshing! can't wait to try some other things are their menu
(4)
Erica S.
I love the idea of the place and really enjoy it for Paleo reasons but we just didn't enjoy the way the food tasted. We tried a couple different things a few times and just can't hop on board. Feels like we are just eating dirt/ lacks too much flavor to spend money on it again. On a positive- the owner is friendly and the workers were very helpful and patient suggesting different flavors to try that would appeal to our tastes.
(2)
Rader S.
This was the first time we tried this place. It is a little gem. I hope more people try it. The name made me always think that it was a smoothie bar and a vegan restaurant, not my thing. However, they have fantastic food for omnivores! I had the char siu pork. It's a big bowl with your choice of veggies, rice, and noodles. The protein options are plentiful to. Please go visit hotpot!
(5)
Monique K.
Great option for those with dietary restrictions especially the vegan and raw foodies!!!!
(5)
Allyson M.
The staff is really friendly! The food is fresh with lots of veggies! I always have them rake it through the garden! I don't remember what my favorite dish is called, but it's the one with the sweet potatoes. The staff will answer all of your questions about their menu! I had several my first time there. I don't recommend sitting downstairs with small children. Unless they've changed it since the last time I went, there were no highchairs downstairs, to go containers, or utensils. I had to sit my daughter on my lap for her to eat, and try to eat around her. Then I needed something from upstairs, but didn't want to leave my food and stuff downstairs to go get it. They did bring my food down to me, which was nice. The staff are pretty helpful too, but they weren't downstairs when I needed something. Next time the upstairs is full, I'll just take my food with me. Smoothies are pretty good, food is ready pretty quickly, and I always feel good about the food I'm eating. I'm not a fan of their coffee, but the person I was with liked it. It's one of my favorite places to grab lunch!
(4)
Matthew G.
This place rocks. My first time in the area looking for paleo, healthy dinner. Just amazing
(5)
Chris C.
This is the best tasting healthy food I have had in St. Louis. The bowls are simple to make. We have only been here twice, but I think this will be in our top five go-to restaurants in St. Louis. I haven't had their juices yet, but looking forward to trying them.
(5)
Susan M.
I love this place for a quick healthy lunch. Great value. Nice folks! Love the green curry sauce.
(5)
Casie G.
I love this place so much!!! It literally has something for everybody! The ingredients are so fresh and the sauces they make are just amazing! I always get my hotpot bowl with pork because well....PORK! :) It can be a bit hard to find at times, but once you have been there you will not forget where it is! Keep Rockin HotPot :)
(5)
Allen L.
This place was interesting. My wife wanted traditional hot pot, like she had in China. This place was listed as a hot pot restaurant. Perfect...right? Not so much. They call it, "An American spin on Chinese hot pot." We were open minded, but still disappointed. It was more like Crazy Bowls and Wraps meets a noodle shop. We ordered two bowls and two smoothies. Both were quite delicious, but the lingering feeling of "bait and switch" never went away. It left a sour taste in my mouth long after the tasty noodles had been eaten. They should change the name to something like "Noodles and Smoothies" or something similar. Maybe that would curb any future confusion.
(2)
Matthew P.
Food was amazing. Hard to find places in this city that cater to both vegetarian and pescatarian lifestyles. Excellent bowls, great sauces and arrange iced tea.
(5)
Sarah J.
Oh Hot Pot! How I love you so! Your rice and noodle bowls are a health dream. Thanks for not skimping on the veggies! Your beverage selection is unique-- the cucumber lemonade is ahhmazing!
(5)
Jacqueline C.
Absolutely not what we anticipate. Bulgogi is a Korean style of beef bbq'd. What I was was some sort of shredded crock-pot style beef. Not good. The bahn mi was totally for the american palate and I wish they'd made just call it something else and then make a note it's Vietnamese influenced, everything to me was just a wreck.The sauces being served with the dishes, even more of a nightmare. I ordered this bulgogi bowl and the women tried to convince me to get the thai chili sauce or something. I asked for it on the side, already being skeptical. And glad I did, it was like the sweet and spicy sauce you dip spring rolls in at a thai place. I did feel very healthy eating any of it eithere, I think I've had more healthy food from authentic viet/asian places. As well Whole Foods food bar. I think they are having a little crisis identity. fail.
(2)
Stacey T.
The Hot Pot is that "ish" as the young people phrase it. The hubby was down & out with the flu so I used my handy yelp app to locate fresh smoothies that weren't from McD's. I was pointed west and proceeded without haste. Upon entry I found local art adorning the walls, including some old pin ball machines chopped up to look like art...not sure how I feel about that...especially if they are for sale. At any rate, there were tons of interesting things to look at, including the menu. The menu is written in chalk on the ever so trendy chalk board paint, which is handy for many reasons, such as crossing things off as they are 86ed and being widely visible for everyone in line. (There will be a line, but it's pretty efficient). Choices are as follows: pick a carb (Thai noodles, rice noodles, Brown rice or sweet potatoes), pick a protein (shrimp, crispy pork, spicy beef, tofu, maybe chicken...can't remember), pick from a variety of fresh veggies and finish it off with a sassy Asian sauce. Then grab a seat & stare at the wall art for about five to ten minutes... And then, boom. A huge, beautifully hand-crafted pottery barn bowl filed with fresh, delicious goodness is in your face. Never get ten dollar take out again, unless from hot pot. The portion is remarkable. Change nothing. I've tried the spicy beef with Thai noodles, all the veggies & misoyaki sauce. You bet your sweet ass I dominated that entire bowl of goodness... or like 90% of it and the rest a few hours later. It was amazing. I added a touch of their house made hot sauce... I'll never look back. I also tried the hubs crispy pork with rice noodles & curry sauce. It was also good but needed more curry to be a winner. The smoothies were yummy, as was the cucumber lemonade. Word of advice: cucumber lemonade it's not meant to be in an Arnold Palmer. Just sayin. Btw, never have I ever visited a public restroom with the recycled t.p. I mean, that's pretty rad. Keep doing your thing, Hot Pot. I'll be back.
(5)
Lorraine N.
I really wanted a healthy smoothie one Saturday morning after getting up early not eating and running errands. I didn't want the infamous smoothie king because i seriously just feel like that is kool-aid. Then like a beacon i saw the big painted happy kitty cat on the store front hiding in a little plaza.....I made a quick turn around and decided to give it a try. I had the green based smoothie I think called godzilla and it was not only flavorful but I felt good about my choice as it has to be healthy....The husband got the agave based fruity smoothie with mango and other fruits. We both thought they were lip-smacking good. We really want to go back and eat here as it appears they have fresh healthy ingredients packed full of flavor.....So many places to eat so little time.....uugghhh The old school pinball machine tops used as artwork was pretty dang inventive and cool and we really liked the display of local artwork.
(4)
Brant H.
Maybe it was an off day. Though I had been here a couple times before and had a similar impression. This time the chicken. Basically it seemed lightly cooked but unflavored raw vegetables, raw udon noodles, tough unflavored chicken, all placed in a bowl of broth with slight flavor but thin as water. That's pretty much it for about $11. I applaud a local indie effort but it reminded me of what happens when someone like me who has no idea how to cook, tries to cook. Wish them luck, and maybe some inspiration.
(2)
Kayla B.
I found this place while I was out running errands. I was starving and randomly googled a nearby "paleo-friendly" joint out of desperation. I had never heard of Hot Pot but decided to go after reading Yelp Reviews. I loved the place! If you are a good conscious person, you will love it as well! I got a tea, bowl of chicken, sweet potatoes, veggies, curry and a smoothie for about $18. To those complaining about the price, you clearly don't regularly make smoothies/health food at home, because it's a decent price. I asked to make sure they don't use artificial syrups in their smoothies and they don't. The staff is very friendly and will answer any questions you may have about gluten, paleo, whole 30, nuts or dairy. They even have some desserts! The atmosphere is nice, with a cute, quirky sitting area inside (and done stairs). There are also a couple tables outside with a dog bowl. If you are wanting food to go, give them about 10-15 minutes to cook. It is worth the wait!! The ONLY mildly negative thing about my experience was I did not feel like I got very much chicken in my bowl. Very little, but now I know to ask for extra next time. I also wish they had more of the "grain free" breads and desserts. Also, if they were open for breakfast on the weekends this would be my go to place! (They don't open until 11). I mainly cook at home but this place is FANTASTIC for on the go days, eating out days or ALL NATURAL smoothies! (Goodbye artificial smoothie king!) Stop by!
(5)
Richard H.
America, eat better. Hot Pot makes it easy just to do that. I love eating out and cooking myself also. Raking the garden gets u a lot of fresh veggies cooked just right with a lot of crunch left in the celery and broccoli. I had the spicy beef udon noodle and combination sauce, a fresh bowl of noodle soup. This place is great to get a healthier noodle or rice dish. The misoyaki broth rich and full, what my wife had. Highly recommend this place. Will definitely return to try more combinations. When others say a Hidden Gem, they ain't kidding. Local and friendly. Donate $10 to the USO and u get a $10 gift certificate to Hot Pot. Consciously to healthier food and a better world. What and how u eat greatly affects ur mood life and quality of u. Junk in junk out
(5)
Tammy M.
Hot pot is a hidden gem! I enjoy the quality fresh ingredients and this place has something for everyone from vegan to meat eater! I will be making this a regular spot for a quick healthy lunch. Thanks so much for offering this type of place to the community.
(5)
I Know W.
There are certainly a list of things one could complain about - the place is a little beat up, food takes a while, the smoothies are not always consistent, a lot of people behind the counter still waiting for service. The menu is somewhat confusing with many hand written signs and menu items described a little differently from the hand menu, and menu board. The quality of chicken was suspect, the tofu was ok, but a bit crumbly. The positives - the food don't lie, it beats out almost everyone else on healthiness and positive conciseness. Keep on rocking, tighten up the operation, get some females behind the counter it will allow for a better balance.
(4)
Jared B.
Happened to be meeting a friend in the Kirkwood area and as I waited I looked for a place to grab some food. Came across The Hot Pot, and there menu sounded VERY intriguing. I am a like, 90% healthy eater. I may have a cheat meal once a week, I may not. Let me tell you this was not a cheat meal! This is absolutely something I would prepare at home, only they make it taste way better! So, healthy great tasting food. Seriously though, you choose a protein (chicken, beef...etc), veggies (TONS OF VEGGIE kale, mushrooms, carrots...etc) I suggest raking the garden, carb (I regret not getting the sweet potatoes but my quinoa was great too), and finish it with a sauce. Now, I will say one downfall is the sauce. I got the miso sauce and it was SUPER salty. My tongue still feels dry. So, next time I go I think I will have them go very light on the sauce. I will definitely be returning and trying more of the menu like the freshly juiced juices and the "paleo" sweet treats!!! Great to have a healthy choice while out and about!!!
(4)
Picha M.
Actually heard about this place from the checkout person at Global Food Market so I had to bookmark it on YELP and stop by at a later date. If you blink you will miss the store front. It is in an obscure strip mall on the north side of Manchester Rd just east of Kirkwood Middle School. When you walk in you'll notice a hodge podge of seating options from tables to stools by the window. The size of the restaurant and decor gives it a "divey" appearance but don't let that fool you. The food is excellent. What a fun idea. As the name indicates they sell Smoothie's and Hot Pots. You walk up to the counter and order off the short menu. Essentially you pick your starch, protein and then flavoring. We ordered the Tempeh with the spicy miso sauce and the Char Siu with the lemon mango curry. The portions were decent and cooked to order. I did not add any table condiments although traditionally in asian food you can season to your liking with different table condiments. Overall the flavoring was good and the ingredients very fresh. I was hoping for a little more spice but overall I really enjoyed it! There was a continual parade of customers so the word must be out about this place. I'm just late to jump on the band wagon... as usual. I will be back! Of note there is more seating downstairs and parking behind the building.
(4)
Jason H.
This is a great little place. Getting your bowl raked across the greens is the most vegetables I think I've had at any restaurant, so good. I like the zucchini noodles but the udon are great too.
(5)
Lissa C.
I love this neighborhood gem! The food is delicious, and the staff are always friendly. My favorite smoothie is the Chuck Norris with the veggie base. They also have a frequent buyer punch card, so after 10 smoothies or bowls, you get one free. I'm a dedicated regular!
(5)
Missy K.
This is a great choice for paleo foodies....especially those who love their veggies. I had the zucchini noodles, raked thru the garden with char siu and poblano cashew pesto and it was fab. I like my food super spicy so I tested all three of their homemade hot sauces and fell in love with "bad kitty". My only complaint is that it is way too much food. I wish there was a half size option for half the price and all would be perfect.
(4)
Sheryl K.
It must have been the Asian in me, but I think I passed up this place twice before finding it. Parking was not a problem, but I can't imagine how it would be like during a busy time, they're definitely limited in space! Groupon sent me to this yummy establishment, and if I hadn't chose to go I would have missed out! When walking in, you almost feel kinda lost on what to order. But have no fret: their menu has a nice little way of showing you how to customize your bowl from choosing your meat, starch, and veggies. I chose the famous bulgogi (marinated beef, however doesn't taste quite the same as the Korean version) with brown rice, and assortment of vegetables (may refer to pictures) and also ordered one of their smoothies. Ahhhh! So good. So really really good! The meat was tender and the marinade was a mixture of sweet and salty. This might be debatable, but I think I enjoyed the veggies the most. I love the healthy aspect of this establishment, but is it worth the drive for me? Yes.
(4)
Reanna P.
I have been here twice now and both times I had a salad and a tea. The salads are overpriced. They overload the bowl with ingredients but the greens under that are old and soggy with dressing. The green tea came out of a dispenser by the soda machine and I only realized half way through that dregs have covered the bottom of my cup. The interior is just a little dingy, nothing a deep clean wouldn't fix. I am willing to give them one more go and try the hot pots or smoothies.
(2)
Beth B.
I really like Hot Pot Smoothie shop. The name is somewhat misleading & for the longest time I just thought it was just another smoothie shop. It's such a unique concept for the area & caters to so many different diets - vegan, vegetarian, Paleo, carnivore, gluten-free. The ingredients are super fresh & healthy. For vegetarians, they even offer tempeh, in addition to tofu. Being the carnivorous type, I've had the bulgogi beef with rice noodles, and the Cantonese pork with rice. I've also had smoothies there before - 'green and sticky' is the way to go (added kale, cucumber, spinach, celery). Absolutely delicious! It's a very unassuming location in a dated strip mall, but don't let that scare you off. The decor is cute & inviting, and the staff very friendly. There's something for everyone here.
(4)
Andrew L.
Was little disappointed to find that they did not serve authentic hotpot. Ordered shrimp with Thai green curry, nice level of spice, but lacked more substantial flavors. Used the yelp check in to get coffee, was surprised they didn't have any on hand as kid started to use what I suspect to be milk frother to make some. Coffee was horrendous, it smelled great but tasted like burnt water, will try smoothie next time. Overall not bad, may go back sometime for smoothie. Would describe as hipster eclectic crazy bowls
(3)
Lois W.
I have grown to like Hot Pot. The variety of protein and sauces keeps me coming back. The food is always healthy and priced right. Yelp gets me a free beverage w meal. BONUS!! So you MUST try the cucumber lemonade. So so crisp and delicious. Don't be scared!
(4)
Anna T.
I really really wanted to like this place. Its difficult to dine out when you have Coeliacs and a Casein intolerance and I was incredibly excited to learn about this place. Especially since they offer paleo options too. Unfortunately, despite talking with both the chef and the woman who took my order about my needs, I got horribly glutened. I'm not sure what went wrong in the kitchen (maybe one of the kids that were running around back there were not being careful?) but I cannot recommend this as a safe option for Gluten free diners. For those of you who simply want to eat healthy, I got the green curry sauce with chicken, sweet potatoes and raked it through the garden. I was hoping for a spicier curry but it was still decent for the price. I do wish the vegetables were not sliced the same way(in long straw like shapes) but it was very fresh, very cheap and seemed healthy.
(1)
Sarah G.
Disappointing. I loved that they had Paleo options, only reason they got 3 stars, but I felt the flavor was lacking. I got a bowl with the lemon mango curry sauce. It tasted like nothing. Very disappointing since this seemed to be their best sauce, the menu said it was famous. Paleo doesn't have to be boring.
(3)
Jenni A.
How is it that I have never heard of this place that is right by my house?? I have no idea. But now that I have discovered it, I can guarantee it will be a new staple in my life! I had the brown rice, beef, carrots, celery and the sauce that is like teriyaki. OMG!!! It was absolutely delicious! My little sidekick had the same but with the addition of shrimp. They were nice enough to give us a sample of the beef and pork when we couldn't decide which we wanted. I didn't even get to a smoothie because I was stuffed after the hot pot. Hot pot, you are going to get to know me very well!!!!
(5)
Robin H.
Wow! I can't believe I'm the first one to review HotPot. Today was their opening day and since it's right down the street from my work I couldn't wait to give it a try. I was not disappointed! First of all, I took a chance of going for lunch on opening day even though I had an appointment at 1:30 in Chesterfield. There was a steady stream of customers, but I had my food in less than five minutes. I ordered the HotPot Bowl w/ Thai rice noodles, Bulgogi beef, Yuzu yaki sauce, carrots, peppers, shitake, and scallions. Delish! I also tried the lemon cucumber lemonade which was so good that I took them up on a free refill before I left. My only disappointment was that their website lists a crab rangoon hotpot that I wanted to try. It wasn't available today, but hope it's available next time. I plan to be a familiar face. Speaking of...the staff was incredibly friendly. They introduced themselves and took an interest in getting to know each customer as they came in. I didn't get a chance to try one of their smoothies, but there's always next time. I love supporting local businesses. And, HotPot returns the favor by using other local businesses for their ingredients (Mississippi Mud coffee, Clayton Bakery, and Eat Here St. Louis). Even, their bowls are made by local artisans. Go check it out for yourself! See you there?
(5)
Tori S.
We had a foodiestl.com coupon, and had not heard of the place before. We went without looking at the menu online first, and were surprised to find they had SOMEthing for a mostly paleo dieter! You'd be surprised how hard it is to eat dinner out, get something that is diet appropriate, AND pay a low price. This place does it all. We got the green curry with the spicy beef. I got the paleo-friendly sweet potatoes. It tasted good, and extremely healthy. Maybe some of the prior complaints are coming from folks who don't mind the usual added unnecessary cream/butter/salt/etc. I was very pleased, and had enough for both dinner last night and lunch today. To accompany our meals, we each got a smoothie. My husband had the plain base with no added greens, and I got the green and sticky. His tasted better, but I preferred mine for the added benefits, and it still tasted great. Service was really nice. At first we were going to take it to-go because the dining area was pretty smoky, but they have a HUGE dining area in the lower level, super clean and comfy. The place is cute, a little quirky, and fast. Highly recommend, and I will go back!
(5)
Katie L.
I first saw this place as I was cruising down Manchester Rd. I made a mental note to check them out on Yelp once I got home. Based on the stellar reviews, I just knew I had to give HotPot Smoothie Shop a try. After a tough workout down the street at Planet Fitness, I decided to go out of my way to get a smoothie. The selections were very impressive! You get to pick the base to your smoothie, either the "green and sticky," or the "original agave," and then you build the rest of your smoothie from there. They also have suggestions for your smoothie, and I decided to go with one of those because I figured they knew what they were talking about! Boy, was I right! I started with the green and sticky base (why not get some veggies in, right?), and picked the suggestion called "The Cleat Chaser," which was a wonderful and sweet mix of strawberries, mangoes, and pineapple. AH-MAY-ZING. It turned out a bright green color and the people at the grocery store that I went to after probably thought I was nuts, but I didn't care--the smoothie was terrific. I couldn't help but notice their saliva-inducing food options as well. I will definitely be back for both smoothies and hot pots. Can't wait until I get the chance again. Well done, HotPot, well done indeed.
(5)
Julie H.
This is the worst place I have ever gotten asian food from... The beef is just disgusting! Tastes like Mexican shredded beef. There was almost no sauce and whatever sauce was on it had absolutely NO flavor. I was so disappointed. We got a groupon and will probably never use the second one because the food was sooo bad.
(1)
Jason R.
One word: Paleo. This place was recommended to me from a dear friend. The place is small so grab a to-go menu and find out what you want before ordering at the counter. They do get busy. Staff has always been very friendly. I have met the owner a couple of times. I love this place because it is local and they want people to eat healthy and eat fresh cooked food. They have an frequently update Facebook page along with a good website that has their menu on it. One of things I love about the menu is the (P's) next to things noted as Paleo. What's my favorite? Char Siu Pork with Thai green curry, shrooms, broccoli and bell peppers. Bottom line: Support a fabulous local establishment. Learn about Paleo and try their awesome smoothies!
(5)
Megumi P.
I seriously love this place! I keep bringing my friends by and they love it too! The food is super awesome and the coffee is AMAZING!!!! They also have a selection of local sodas which is great! I love this place!
(5)
chelsea b.
I was very excited to try this place. I have been eating incredibly healthy and low calorie and have been feeling the need to "eat out." This place was a great opportunity! Decor/Atmosphere: Awesome, Clean, Bright and a little funky. It is tiny in there, I wouldn't want to sit there during a busy lunch. Smoothie: Got the green & sticky base with pineapple and strawberry. YUMMY. One of the best health friendly smoothies I have ever had. We got the Salad with Pork and Lemon-Cilantro Vinaigrette. - Absolute perfect combination. The meat was tender and all the veggies were crisp and fresh. One of the best salads, I have ever had. Tofu w/ Udon Noodles, Mush, Kale, Tomato and Green Curry - The noodles were good and all the vegetables were well cooked. The dish lacked seasoning and flavor to me. I dumped the "bad kitty" hot sauce all over it and enjoyed. Green Curry should have a little more -oomph IMO. The sauce was also very watery - I'm hoping it is from lack of gross corn starch-y thickeners. Spicy Beef w/ Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Onion and Mushrooms in Spicy Miso Sauce- Everything was cooked phenomenally and tasted very fresh. The sauce was delicious but I didn't think there was anything spicy about it. Add one of the hot sauces and BAM, perfect! Soup of the Day Was - Cream of Asparagus w/ a Thyme Shrimp Garnish . Soup was delish. Didn't taste super heavily creamed which is great. Loved the shrimp garnish. Hated the sprigs of Thyme - but I hate having sticks in my mouth. All in all, I would recommend them and defiantly go back. If you like simple flavors it is great. If you want a little more spice and pizazz, I would add some of the hot sauces. For some reason I thought they had some sweet treats - but I didn't see any. Will be back soon to try a cucumberlemonade and some more salads! Yumm. Also, service " The Counter Lady" was very friendly and well informed. She had no problem answering my obnoxious questions or taking my long order. YAY!
(4)
Megan S.
I like their bowls, but wish they had another sauce option like Pad Thai or a spicy sauce. None of their sauces have any heat! Also don't get the veggie sandwich, way to much bread!
(4)
Andrew G.
Wow, Hot Pot exceeded all of my expectations. I ordered the spicy beef raked through the garden bowl with the miso sauce. it was excellent! all of the vegetables seemed very fresh and the sweet potatoes were an added bonus, I couldn't be happier with my experience. the homemade hot sauces are extremely delicious albeit they are quite spicy. I would highly recommend trying the hot sauce is if you are into that kind of thing. Hot Pot has made me a regular customer!
(5)
C C.
Terrible experience. First off it was not actually Hot Pot. It was more expensive than expected and even though we walked up to the counter to pick up our own food and cleared our own table the suggested tip was 15%, 20%, or 25% on their application. The sauces weren't all that flavorful (I was with a group of 3 people). The noodles in my mother's dish were underdone so she ate half of mine. The vegetables were also slightly underdone in all 3 dishes. My mother had intended to take hers home and cook it the rest of the way at home for a later meal but their to - go containers weren't good for transporting liquids so we had to leave it behind. Very disappointed. We won't be returning.
(1)
Deb K.
Hot Pot is a restaurant that should be duplicated many times over. Excellent, fresh, tasty, clean food prepared and served with care. Unpretentious, warm, welcoming people. Great specials, and the best bowl in STL. Rake it through the garden, pick your sauce, double your protein, and smile. You're at Hot Pot - life is good!
(5)
Sarah C.
i got takeout from here the other night and was very pleased! i had a bowl with rice noodles, all the veggies, tofu and misoyaki sauce and it was super yummy. e had a smoothie with mango, coconut, and pineapple in the 'green and sticky' base and loved it. i'd been wanting to try this place forever and will definitely be back.
(5)
Stephanie I.
I had been hearing much hype about this place from my coworkers and we finally decided to come check it out again. And it's official: I may have a new favorite lunch spot in town. The menu is like the others have described - customized, healthy bowls with your choice of noodles or sweet potatoes, protein, and unlimited veggies!! And all cooked with your choice of sauce. I went with the rice noodles + bulgolgi beef + thai green curry sauce. Win. Flavors are all there and the portion is enough that I took half of it home (although I cannot say the same for my male coworkers - sorry dudes). I also had to try a smoothie. I went with the greens + mango + pineapple + peach. Um, YUM. Really filling too, so it's a perfect addition to your bowl. I have to dock one star because of the price. A bowl and a smoothie set me back $15, which is a little steep in my opinion. But I will most definitely be back again!
(4)
Megan W.
Had a great lunch here. Service was super nice. My 4 year old had a grilled cheese sandwich that came with a great spread of fresh fruit. He ate his whole lunch! I had spicy beef salad that was flavorful. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Lori K.
I was really excited to eat here for my birthday because I have dietary restrictions that have lead me to eat a mostly paleo style diet. I thought this would be a great, worry-free, healthy place to eat. I got the spicy beef and zuknoodles (zucchini noodles) with the lemon mango sauce. The dish was drowning in a fairly flavorless sauce and the beef was shredded and mushy and had barely any flavor. I wasn't really a fan of how they cooked the zucchini noodles either. It was a pretty disappointing meal. I'm not sure if it's just what I ordered and if the other meat/sauce combinations are better but I'm not sure if I really want to go back and find out.
(2)
Stephanie S.
Oh hi there, 700th review. If there was any doubt that I was a loser with too much time on her hands, this milestone has probably squashed it. I came here during my lunch break, and BOY, I'm glad I did! HotPot Smoothie Shop is in a quiet area of Kirkwood, in an unassuming little strip mall. If you blink, you'll miss it! Inside, the place is too cute for words. I love what they did with the space. There are a nice amount of tables inside, and each one has a cute little vintage-y wine bottle sitting on top. Nice homey touch. Side note: the word "homey" holds great significance in my heart. It reminds me of Homey the Clown (In Living Color -- what what!), and for that, it will always be one of my very favorite words. I'm going to insert it into every review if I can. Back to the review. I started off with a Godzilla smoothie, which had coconut, raspberry, and ginger in it, among other things. It was sweet, tangy, and delicious. For my lunch, I ordered the bulgogi beef bowl. You get to choose your grain (I went with brown rice), your protein (bulgogi beef for me! You can also choose chicken, tofu, and a few others), your sauce (I went with spicy miso), and add-ins. I added spinach and mushrooms. Wowza. This was super duper flavorful and delicious. The spicy miso sauce wasn't spicy at all, but it definitely packed a powerful flavor punch. Yum. The whole thing just worked. It just did. You really have to try this for yourself. Service here was beyond friendly. They've only been around for a few months, but I hope they stick around for a long, long time. I'm a fan!
(5)
Glen D.
Fresh, tasty, and pretty healthy too. Service friendly and the environment is very casual. This is a great example of a small, locally owned restaurant being a much choice than going to a chain restaurant.
(4)
Tara J.
My hubby bought a Groupon for this place. When we pulled up I was less than impressed with the location. We went in with my son and looked through the menu. I had no expectations and have no idea what a hot pot should be. The soup I chose had udon noodles, beef, yaki miso sauce and all the veggies. Seriously I have NEVER eaten such a robustly flavorful and unbelievably satisfying soup. My son had the same beef as a sandwich and declared it the best sandwich ever. The beef was seasoned so wonderfully and it had that great umami flavor. My husband had a pork soup and a smoothie. Again, super amazing. The smoothie was fresh and flavorful. My only gripe is that - without the Groupon it would've been pretty pricy. No matter, we're definitely going back!!
(5)
Anna H.
I was pleasantly surprised! The bowls are basically healthy, customized stir-fries. The fact that you can use sweet potatoes (instead of noodles or rice) as the base made me very, VERY happy. And then you can add whatever veggies you want on top, AND your choice of sauce, AND the protein. The smoothies sound really good, but didn't have a chance to try it this time. A tasty-looking selection of sweets too! Overall, I love the simplicity of the idea.. but also wish the price was a bit cheaper. Definitely worth trying though, especially if you are health-conscious and/or really like smoothies :)
(5)
Kate H.
Fresh ingredients, healthy options, everyone gets what they want, how they want it. Brilliant take out... Or eat in!
(5)
Wendy K.
Place is great, my husband absolutely loves it. I have had many different types of bowls and combinations, I like the rice noodles with the beef the best (only because when you order the shrimp there is like 3 or 4). The drinks are wonderful (no seltzer for me) and I have yet to try a smoothie. Which is a shame because I LOVE SMOOTHIES! It might take a little longer than expected to get your food, but it is because it is sooo fresh. Eat there 100%. The eco friendly take home boxes don't keep the sauce too well, its such a cute experience and place Im not sure why anyone wouldn't eat there anyway.
(5)
Valerie T.
Yummy and delicious. Gracious and nice owner. Will be back!!!
(5)
Chris Z.
This place offers noodle & rice bowls as well as Bahn Mi type sandwiches. The ingredients are fresh. The service is stellar, and I doubt most people even know it's here. Ordering takes some getting used to, as you have to put together your meal by picking different options.... kind of like Subway.
(4)
Isaac D.
This place has a friendly staff, uses quality ingredients and the food is excellent. A true gem. I highly recommend the green curry sauce. It was loaded with flavor and had a nice amount of heat.
(4)
Andy H.
Great food - great price - great service! My favorite is the Bulgogi beef bowl with rice, shitake mushrooms, celery, and onion.
(5)
Ryan P.
The best take out noodle/bowls in the area. Fresh ingredients, great owners, good food.
(5)
Melissa A.
Great healthy option in Kirkwood. I appreciate the paleo friendliness (roasted sweet potatoes instead of noodles, awesome!). I really enjoyed the green curry. If I lived in St Louis, I would be a regular.
(5)
Dena G.
Love making my bowl and there's a good selection of base, protein and veggie options to assemble it. I would recommend that the tofu and the tempeh be marinated though; there's simply not enough time for those items to soak up flavors and they taste a little weird in the bowl.
(4)
Justin S.
Finally Groupon success!! We went on a limb with a groupon here ( a very generous one I might add) and boy are we glad we did. I came here with my wife and in-laws. The groupon let us each get a bowl and a smoothie so we got to sample quite a bit each. That was a smart moveon behalf of the owners because now I have double the reason to come back! When ordering a bowl you get to choose your base (like noodle, rice, etc) your meat or tofu, add a sauce, and then you get to pick as many of the veggies you want. My bowl was a curry sauce with braised beef and sweetpotatoes for the base. Then pile on a number of veggies and it was sooo good. I really was pleasantly surprised by it. My only little complaint would be the normal prices aren't cheap. The bowl I ordered was about $10. For me, it was just enough that I won't go back all the time. But I understand that with all the fresh options they have they gotta cover costs. On to the smoothie, you get to choose a base of either agave or sticky green. Again, you get to add all kinds of fruits and make it your own. The atmosphere is very casual and I also noticed they have a huge added seating area in the basement. Can't wait to go back again.
(4)
Doug R.
Interested in developing a taste for seriously healthy food that is also delicious, then go to the HotPot Smoothie Shop near the corner of Manchester and Geyer in Kirkwood. What a great way to get the ball rolling on that New Year's Resolution to eat healthier.
(5)
J K.
As a vegan I was pretty stoked about this place. Unfortunately it missed the mark. The fluorescent lighting is off putting, the seating is not comfortable. The noodle dish was OK but not something I would pay $10 for. And the plastic cutlery was difficult to eat with and not eco friendly. I wish this place all the best, but I will not be back anytime soon.
(2)
Donald M.
Great evening out and great food. Really cool little place with wonderful food. We had the pork "raked the thought the garden" and the seasonal pumpkin sauce. $25 for two bowls and drinks. Highly recommended
(4)
Jon J.
I have to say that the previous reviewers on yelp really let me down with this place. Maybe I came in on an off night or something. I got a bowl with bulgogi beef, thai rice noodles, and the garlic chili sauce. The beef had almost zero flavor and was the consistency of pot roast instead of bulgogi. There was almost no chili or garlic flavor to the sauce. The "homemade pie" i ordered turned out to be made with canned peaches. The employees were all very nice so it made it difficult to go with two stars on the review. Not really sure how anyone could give this a 5 star review. Maybe the smoothies are really good?
(2)
Sonya G.
It's a confusing place. Smoothies and hot pots....kind of a strange combo. And they have a terrible name. We had to have the menu explained to us which took the cashier a minute or two and there were people waiting to place their order. My husband had the pork hot pot while I had the farm salad. For the hot pots, you order the type of protein and then the type sauce you want. He had the lemon mango curry sauce with pork. He liked it. My salad was very fresh, although I thought that it was difficult to eat out of their fluted bowls. The scallions were in huge chunks and I couldn't eat them. It would have been better had they been cut like a garnish and used as such. The cilantro lemon ginger dressing was awful. Salty and really "raw" tasting. I had a raspberry/strawberry/peach smoothie with the agave base. Nothing special except the price of over $6.00. I think that they are trying to cater to a customer that wants to eat "healthy". But their food is expensive and could be better if it was more normal and not so far out. I hope that they adjust their menu to appeal to a larger customer base.
(3)
Kim P.
My wife and I really enjoyed dinner here on Friday. The food quality is exceptional. Everything is freshly made and made generously.
(5)
Chip D.
Unique, Healthy, Awesome! Check it out.
(5)
Raquel P.
You know it's going to be good when deliciousness hits your nose the second you crack the door open! Friendly & fast staff...healthy & scrumdeliumptious food and overall great energy! So happy to have FINALLY stopped to try Hot Pot!
(5)
Bradley S.
Saw the little lucky lucy in the windows ... stopped in for a surprising delicious seasonal pumpkin curry ...
(5)
Brandon K.
Pros: -Very fresh vegetables -Not a chain, plus in both atmosphere and menu selection -Semi-healthy (the bowl had a ton of sodium) Cons: -Ask for 15, 20, 25% tip at the counter where you order and it's not discrete but rather an iPad turn around with everyone behind you looking at what big button you hit. To me it's not even a tipping place, you order at the counter and bus your table. There's no atmosphere or service. So what is the tip, a surcharge? I also don't like being verbally asked for a tip. -The hot pot isn't a hot pot, it's actually stir fry with sauce on it -Bulgogi isn't bulgogi, how do I know? I'm Korean. I seemed like slow cooked roast beef pulled apart in sauce. -Yaki is weird name for a sauce, it means fire, like in actual fire. You could have yaki-dare, which means grill sauce but what I think I got was more teriyaki unless they used mirin and sake which would be more yakitori sauce. How do I know? My gf is Japanese and a good cook and I lived in Japan for 6 years. -'bahn mi style' sandwich wasn't even close. It's a soft bread western hoagie/hero/sub sandwich with a cool Asian name. Bahn mi is the viet style, french influenced baguette sandwich. I think the translation is bread but generally refers to that. This follows in that it is mostly the bread and very little meat/vegetables by US traditional standards but the bread was soft hoagie from like a grocery store. $8. Salad ($2 extra over chips but wasn't told when asked if we wanted a salad) which had 3 large leaves and a couple carrot slivers and dressing was $10. Had to cut the leaves ourselves. Add tax and that tip, it was $13.50. My gf didn't want to eat much of the bread because 'not going to fill up on cheap plain white bread' so what was left, she was starving after and she's a whopping 108 pounds. We eat at Fozzies weekly and the sandwiches are 1/2 the cost, twice the food and healthy + delicious. -bowl (sorry I'm not going to call it a hot pot, it's like crazy bowls) was ok but on the small size and uber salty. Way too much straight soy sauce I would of been fine with it but small bowl, 1 lemonade, 1 tap water, 1 small sandwich and I'm $27.50 lighter (including tax and tip) seems way overpriced for a small lunch given it's a counter order eat and run place.
(2)
Kathy M.
My daughter and I have fallen in love with this place. While they push how healthy their food is, I think it beats almost any place for the taste.
(5)
Eva S.
A little pricey (after adding protein, it came to over $7 with tax for a 24oz), but this place has the best smoothies I've ever had!! The staff is always friendly and efficient... I'm typically in and out in five minutes. Well worth it.
(4)
Tracy S.
One word...YUM! The bowls are the way to go at Hot Pot. My favorite is the udon noodles with the shredded beef and a mix of the green curry/garlic chili. The staff is super friendly. Local owners and the freshest ingredients...a wonderful combination.
(5)
Tim R.
I haven't been back to my hometown of Kirkwood in awhile. Much to my delight, the best restaurant I've eaten in happens to be smack behind my rents' place. It's a tiny store front joint in a 60s strip mall complete with bright, uninviting florescent lighting, cheap tables and stuff taped up on the walls. It's the antithesis of a cozy bistro and more like the DMV. But wait, you read the five stars above this review, right? Well, at the end of the day it's the food that matters and HotPot does it right. It's vegetarian- centered, organic, hippie local vibe comes to light in each bite. The idea of eating fresh and healthy has finally arrived in Missouri and I implore all of you to not only keep this daring place in business but help them expand to overcome the miles and miles of toxic chain abattoirs which litter the region. Come on Missouri, you know you don't want to be in the bottom 10 unhealthiest states in the nation. Here's your chance for salvation and it's a delicious one at that. Make HotPot your New Year's resolution and discover what real, quality, fresh food that is lovingly prepared tastes like. Or screw it and go to the Cracker Barrel. Just offering a little motivation.
(5)
Rag r.
I keep getting the bulgogi beef with udon noodles, Yaki sauce and veggies. I am hooked! The meal is always fresh, tasty and healthy. Fortunately I live in the neighborhood so this is now a regular haunt for me, love it, love it!
(5)
Neil S.
Great cold press coffee and great location and parking. Have not tried their food, but definitely want to eat here very soon.
(4)
Brenna E.
Just left the place and I cannot wait to go back!! Everything was so fresh and delicious. The pastries are wonderful and not too sweet like most other places. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a clean, fresh, delicious meal from a local business. Kudos!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Marleigh R.
Love love love this spot. Came here since it's close to work; I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. Food was great, if you get the bowl option, you step through the menu by choosing meat, base (noodles, rice, etc.), vegetables, and sauce. I got the tofu with everything and with ZOODLES, of all things. I wanted to keep it relatively low carb and calorie and that was a great option to see. I got a coke too - they have Excel products! I was so excited. They have juices, smoothies, salads, etc., here in addition to the bowl. Everything really looked wonderful and I had a hard time deciding. Very health conscious and geared towards local products. A majority of their products are local only, if not all. Only downside is that it's a little pricey... But that just means it's a treat meal and not an all the time one. Will definitely be back to visit this gem - and I'll have plenty of combinations to try!
(5)Linda P.
Gave this restaurant one more try. I want to like it. I really do. It has things we like such as independently owned, fresh ingredients and healthy options. Here's what we don't like about this place after going four different times. The food/sauces just don't have any flavor. The employees as well as the owner are never friendly!!! If it's a regular that walks in then they are friendly. But if you aren't one of those regulars, forget it. It's almost as if it is too much trouble to take your order or answer questions. The pluses are the food is hot and fresh. Negatives would be bland food and unfriendly staff. The dine in area is cramped. No flavor and almost rude staff is a miss for us. If you treat us like we should take our business elsewhere then we certainly will.
(1)Mel A.
The HotPot is actually one of my favorite places and I really should come here more often. The place uses local ingredients to most, if not all, of their menu items and I love supporting local places so this place is awesome. Aside from that, their food is always wholesome and delicious. I found out recently that they do a Sunday brunch and today, I saw on one of their boards that their brunch is a Saturday and Sunday thing from 10am-3pm. I have only had their hotpots with all of the veggies (or as they like to say "raked thru the garden") with udon, with either chicken or spicy beef but I have tried several different sauces (including green curry, miso, misoyaki, and green chile). My favorite by far is the miso. The flavor of the sauce is quite subtle but you add in the protein and all the other vegetable and you got yourself a very tasty meal! Today, I ended up getting a spicy beef with udon raked thru the garden minus the mushrooms. They have also added a new sauce - poblano pesto but I am sad to say that I did not notice it on the board when I was first looking. This will give me another reason to come back and try a different sauce! They do have salads and sandwiches as well but I have never tried them. I am just a big fan of their hotpots so even if it's almost 100 degrees outside, I will still get a hotpot bowl if I find myself at this restaurant. Service has always been great here but be warned, they do get busy doing peak lunch and close to dinner hours when people want to stop by and pick-up dinners to take home. The place is fairly small but if you are dining in and the main floor is looking packed, don't fret for there are more seats downstairs.
(5)Amrita R.
Finally stopped in here and the food certainly is fresh. The portions are huge! My fiance got the udon noodles with char siu pork and misoyaki. It was the best dish. Mine was so bland in comparison--I tried the green chili rice noodles with beef. They weren't spicy at all and rather boring. But when we mixed them both together it was delicious! After a long hot day out, this was a satisfying and tasty lunch, and if it was any closer I'd definitely be back to try some other combinations! I can't help but think this place would be so popular in the Central West End or the Loop...
(4)Kevin D.
I've been here twice and disappointed both times. The concept and menu is great but not executed with any quality control. Veggies are undercooked, one dish has too much sauce and another has too little. Veggies are cut so large they're hard to eat. Beef is poorly trimmed and fatty. I won't be back.
(2)Katie H.
I've been dying to try this place for about a year because I'm paleo! And I have to say I thought it was a pretty cool place! I got the pork - I was very happy to hear that it isn't prepared/seasoned with any soy. I loaded the rest of the bowl with broccoli, carrots, red bell peppers, onion and cabbage on top of a bed of sweet potatoes. I topped it all off with the Green Chile sauce. I have to agree with some other reviews I read that they don't give you a huge serving of the protein. But I'm not sure I'd pay to add more because the bowl of food is so huge and very filling. I know I wouldn't get carrots in my bowl again because they aren't cooked long enough to soften, and that's how I personally prefer them. I liked the Green Chile sauce - it was a little sweet and a little garlic-y. I'd probably get it again.
(4)Stacy B.
First visit for lunch yesterday and I have to say, it was pretty good. I had yelped it and checked the menu so I was already familiar with the process. I suggest everyone do that just so you get how to do it. It's a build your bowl menu and the possibilities are endless! The staff was very nice. I asked some questions about the sauces and he was very knowledgable. They were pretty busy when I arrived at 12:45 pm, which to me, is always a good sign. I placed my order and sat at the one available table. It's a small place. The wait was not to long and soon my bowl arrived piping hot and fresh. I ordered the beef, which was fall apart tender. It didn't seem spicy as the menu suggests. I "raked it through the garden" which includes all the available veggies. The veggies were cooked to perfection. Super fresh, bright, and just the right amount of crunch. I ordered the green chile sauce. Flavor was wonderful but it was a little thinner than I would have liked. But that didn't stop me from drinking it up with a spoon! I finished my bowl with rice noodles which were also cooked correctly. Lastly, the serving was huge! I will return to try other combinations. A little gem hidden away in a strip mall. If you blink, you'll miss it!
(4)O W.
What a wonderful meal we had tonight at this restaurant. Everything was exceptionally fresh and wonderful flavor. The owner was in the store and couldn't have been nicer! We will return!!!
(5)Andy C.
I went for a Primal/Paleo Meetup and I was very impressed with the paleo brunch options. I chose the Sweet and Spicy Beef Hash and enjoyed it quite a bit. One person I was with had the Famous 3 Egg Fold-in and she raved about it. I saw another person who ordered the Gluten Free Biscuits and Gravy and it looked really good, when I go back that is definitely what I plan to try. On my way out I picked up a fresh juice drink; The Dirty Apple (beet, apple, ginger, carrot) and boy was it good! The service was friendly and helpful. I look forward to my next visit.
(4)Terry F.
Went to a Chef' Dinner last night. It was great. The Chef's dinner consisted of many courses. Each was outstanding With new liquor license having a glass of wine was a new addition. Chef Greg said he hopes to have these special dinners monthly. I highly recommend the experience. These dinners give the Chef a chance to display his culinary expertise to meals outside the already delicious fare served daily.
(5)Jericho R.
Food is great and fresh. I ordered Udon noodles with green curry and chicken. The portion sizes are fairly good size. The restaurant is very small but it can seat between 15-20 guests. They do have outdoor seating but it's limited. The spicy sauce isn't really spice. Food prices are reasonable. Next time I would try with brown rice.
(4)John K.
Never settle! Hotpot continues to refine and tweak their restaurant. The dining area has been opened up and no longer feels cramped. The menu is more clearly laid out to make it easier for new customers. Several menu items have been added to make the bowl options even more endless. I want to also highlight that they have some of the best homemade hot sauces I've ever tried. They could seriously start a side business by bottling this stuff. They are appropriately named "Bad Kitty", "Lucky Cat", & "Don't mess w/ Ginger". I challenge you to add the last two to your dish and not have your eyes water and nose run. They also have a sauce called Voodoo Kitty that is so hot I was crying. I would never try this again even if someone double dog dared me. Proceed at your own risk. Anyway, Bravo Hotpot. You may just be the best kept secret in town.
(5)Katie W.
Lacking flavor and soupy. Glad I got it to go so I could strain it at home and add some flavor.
(2)Jennifer J.
I am a picky eater at restaurants because it is difficult to find a reasonably priced vegetarian-friendly meal that: (a) isn't prepared in a way that completely strips the ingredients of its taste and texture, (a) is substantial in its variety of vegetables, thus avoiding the (c) often painfully obvious compilation of a meat-based entree's side vegetables (or even burger toppings...), and, lastly, (d) ACTUALLY TASTES GOOD. Being able to choose the ingredients and the amount of each ingredient in my meal was comforting and, ultimately, a fun experience. When home from college for the upcoming summer, I plan to try many more combinations! Dining here with the me(s; picky eater) in your life would be a much appreciated gesture that shows your respect for their dietary needs and preferences! Treating yourself to a meal here, too, wouldn't be at all rude to your tummy :)
(5)Annie S.
I love this place!! Everything is so fresh, healthy and delicious here. Smoothies are all amazing and they have great base options such as coconut water and almond milk! I love the Hot Pot Bowls. You can design your own with whatever you want! They load it up with vegetables so it is so healthy and the sauces are all so delicious and flavorful. I got the Hot Pot Bowl with Chicken, Carrots, Spinach, Celery, Tomatoes and Quinoa with the Green Chile Sauce. So good. I also split one of their "candy bars" which was so delicious. Almonds mixed with coconut sugar with a dark chocolate coating on the bottom. Yum! You must try this cute place!
(5)Meghan T.
Love this place! A great choice for a healthy and tasty meal. Plenty of healthy choices available and large portions.
(5)Jazz I.
I can finally eat out and not worry about eating unhealthy! Like how the STL heathy-eating scene is changing for the good :) I love the gazillion options to make your meal, and especially like that they offer zoodles/Zuknoodles. Just a heads up - some of the curries may be low on salt (prolly intentional?). My fave is the poblano pesto curry with tofu and veggies.
(4)Smaran M.
A fantastic place for vegetarians to eat. Although there were only a few sauces to choose from to go in the hot pot, the ones we tried were really well made. Fresh ingredients and warm staff make this place easy to like. The juices were super fresh and I always appreciate that more than bottled orange juice served at restaurants. We need more places like this in town.
(4)Courtney C.
Just ate here with my mom. We both got bowls and the cucumber lemonade-very refreshing! My bowl was the tofu with udon noodles, almost all of the veggies, and the green curry I believe (whichever is the mix of two). I loved it and it was not too spicy for me but like others have mentioned, it is kind of watery which I don't mind, it just made it messy to eat...I would recommend getting the brown rice or quinoa or something that would absorb the flavor more! Another note is that the tofu is not flavored at all, so it was just a bit plain for me. I loved eating here though and I love the juice options, just a little trial and error to see what suits me! Another note-the owner(female) was very friendly and nice even when we took awhile to order. I always respect people like that! I will return!
(4)Chelsea B.
I couldn't have been more disappointed with this place. The staff was very unfriendly and the food was flavorless and bland. Definitely not worth the price and I won't be back.
(1)Matt T.
My wife has been wanting to come here for lunch for ages. Given she is gluten and dairy free, there are limited options. I myself was looking forward to the bahn mi that I saw in the photos. The staff was friendly and answered all of our questions. She ordered a wrap and iced tea, I a smoothie and sandwich. I realized that they no longer serve bahn mi, instead, their sandwiches are served on ciabatta with sauteed peppers & onions, and sauce. The char siu pork was great in my Red Pork sammy, but I was a bit disappointed with the bread and toppings. Again, just a function of expectations.The smoothie was outstanding, and my wife loved her food (crispy pork wrap). There are plenty of other items I can eat on the menu next visit, but I was bummed that they no longer serve what I heard so many good things about. Oh well, you can't have it all...or can you? One minor nit: the credit card machine asked me if I wanted to leave a 15, 20, or 25% tip. I was a bit thrown off here. Remember, you give them your order at the counter, you collect your own silverware and napkins, you pour your own drinks, you box up your own leftovers, you even bus your own table when you're done. What does the staff do? They take your order, make your food, and bring it to the table. Is that really worth the same tip (or slightly less) that you would give to a server who waits on you from start to finish? If their staff is making $5.13 under the assumption they will get tips, I'd like to know that so I can take care of them. Anyway, was not something I was ready to think about.
(4)Amy K.
Today was my second time there. I now felt comfortable with how to order. So I started with step 1. The meat...I chose beef. Then veggies...so on. This was a to go order so much to my surprise when I got home there was NO meat. Absolutely none! I am hoping this was just human error. But it was disappointing.
(2)Lauren T.
Local supportive. Good community feel. Build your own hot pot bowl, pick all your protein, pick you own ingredients. Big serving all mixed together with curry of choice. Not a good place to go if your looking to order off a menu. Small place, cramped moving around upstairs but downstairs was open and quiet which was nice to eat alone and read. I saw french toast on the breakfast menu on Sundays from 9am-2pm which caught my eye. I give it a try again, but I would order something different than the bowl.
(3)Jim K.
Disappointing. Very salty with little flavor. Chicken was all dark meat and full of fat. We sampled several menu items and do not understand the high reviews by others. Maybe just a bad night. We were hoping for a hidden treasure.
(1)Haley J.
Went my myself in the afternoon, were pretty busy, seem to have a bunch or regulars. Staff was friendly and quick with the rush. Food was great I got a bowl with chicken, onions, peppers, spinach, zucchini noodles and some type of lemon miso sauce. Was a very big portion had to take the rest home. I also got a paleo treat for $3, I got carrot cake to take with me.
(4)Doug M.
Is this place a dive, or is it extremely hipster eclectic? That's what I was thinking when we walked in. I guess it's all your perspective. Actually, it was a fun, interesting motif regardless.Hard to describe, except lots of unmatched fixtures, colored chalk menu boards, paintings for sale on the wall, etc. The workers were all pretty nice, and patient with us newbies that had to think through how to order at the counter. The hot pots took a while to be ready, even though it was pretty empty in there. But I'll chalk that up to everything being fresh and freshly prepared. My hot pot bowl - roasted sweet potato, double portion char sui pork, raked thru the garden, w/poblano pesto & thai green curry. Man it was good! So savory, and a pretty good sized bowl of food, too for only $10. One quibble was that, while I had a good amount of what they call protein (and I call the pork), it seemed a little light for a double portion. My wife's single portion of chicken in her bowl was also a little lighter than I would want. But I would have to say it was acceptable for the price. The wife's hot pot bowl udon was noodles, chicken, raked thru the garden, w/spicy miso & lemon mango curry. Really good, too. However, I prefer the savoriness that the curry gave mine vs. the miso in this one. For a dessert I got a paleo banana muffin. As I understand, paleo means natural ingredients and minimally processed. And it tasted/felt that way. That's a good thing! Fresh banana flavor, and a bit more coarse texture in the muffin than from a bakery.- I overuse the word, but the texture made it more interesting. Simple and very casual, but good food and an enjoyable time.
(4)Robert B.
Food is fresh and healthy, with tons of options. The roasted sweet potatoes are a great alternative to noodles. It's a great place where you can really get a healthy AND tasty lunch! I wish they had one where I live!
(5)Hao X.
OMG I totally see myself coming here ALL THE TIME! This place is called 'hotpot' because hotpot suggests communal eating and that's what the owner wanted for her restaurant. They have gluten free, vegetarian, and lots of other dietary restriction options. That means everyone can eat (and thus communal/community)! My bf's friend lives around here (like 5 blocks away) and whenever we go over to his place to play board games (yes, we're nerds), I never know what to eat! I don't like hardee's or taco bell too much! But this place! This place is PERFECT! It's cute and has great food options. You pick starch, sauce, and protein and they make it for you with your choice of veggies! Simple and delicious! I got the bulgogi beef with udon in thai green curry sauce and ALL THE VEGGIES! When i got the food it smelled SO good that I had to exert massive amounts of self control to not eat it immediately. This place is the perfect addition to my board games nights! I might just try to put them in my speed dial. :P
(4)Michelle S.
We were so looking forward to a healthy meal that was super spicy. Wrong! The sauce is like soup in the bottom of the bowl and didn't adhere to the contents of the hot pot. We had one beef and one pork-the beef was WAY better but there was very little protein. We both opted for all the veg and the zucchini noodle with green curry and used at least 5 ounces of their homemade hot sauce to make it edible. Great service!
(3)Jill M.
My friend picked up a lunch to go, so I didn't actually visit Hot Pot, but the food I had was wonderful! I had a chicken bowl with all the veggies, and a coco-tini drink. I pigged out and ate my whole meal, but I didn't feel disgusting afterwards like I normally would after eating so much. I can't wait to try Hot Pot again (and I can't believe I live 30 seconds from here and it took me this long to try it!)
(4)Christina O.
this is a cool lunch spot i discovered it thanks to groupon. i 'made my own' bowl and stuffed it with a bunch of goodies-there's lots to choose from. i tried their spiciest sauce which was the poblano pesto. it was good but not as spicy as i expected so i added their red garlic sauce.. now that one has more of a kick. it's a large portion but they have chinese takeout boxes to make your own doggie bag. they dont have standard sodas like coke/pepsi but similar variations of them. try the cucumber lemonade-very refreshing! can't wait to try some other things are their menu
(4)Erica S.
I love the idea of the place and really enjoy it for Paleo reasons but we just didn't enjoy the way the food tasted. We tried a couple different things a few times and just can't hop on board. Feels like we are just eating dirt/ lacks too much flavor to spend money on it again. On a positive- the owner is friendly and the workers were very helpful and patient suggesting different flavors to try that would appeal to our tastes.
(2)Rader S.
This was the first time we tried this place. It is a little gem. I hope more people try it. The name made me always think that it was a smoothie bar and a vegan restaurant, not my thing. However, they have fantastic food for omnivores! I had the char siu pork. It's a big bowl with your choice of veggies, rice, and noodles. The protein options are plentiful to. Please go visit hotpot!
(5)Monique K.
Great option for those with dietary restrictions especially the vegan and raw foodies!!!!
(5)Allyson M.
The staff is really friendly! The food is fresh with lots of veggies! I always have them rake it through the garden! I don't remember what my favorite dish is called, but it's the one with the sweet potatoes. The staff will answer all of your questions about their menu! I had several my first time there. I don't recommend sitting downstairs with small children. Unless they've changed it since the last time I went, there were no highchairs downstairs, to go containers, or utensils. I had to sit my daughter on my lap for her to eat, and try to eat around her. Then I needed something from upstairs, but didn't want to leave my food and stuff downstairs to go get it. They did bring my food down to me, which was nice. The staff are pretty helpful too, but they weren't downstairs when I needed something. Next time the upstairs is full, I'll just take my food with me. Smoothies are pretty good, food is ready pretty quickly, and I always feel good about the food I'm eating. I'm not a fan of their coffee, but the person I was with liked it. It's one of my favorite places to grab lunch!
(4)Matthew G.
This place rocks. My first time in the area looking for paleo, healthy dinner. Just amazing
(5)Chris C.
This is the best tasting healthy food I have had in St. Louis. The bowls are simple to make. We have only been here twice, but I think this will be in our top five go-to restaurants in St. Louis. I haven't had their juices yet, but looking forward to trying them.
(5)Susan M.
I love this place for a quick healthy lunch. Great value. Nice folks! Love the green curry sauce.
(5)Casie G.
I love this place so much!!! It literally has something for everybody! The ingredients are so fresh and the sauces they make are just amazing! I always get my hotpot bowl with pork because well....PORK! :) It can be a bit hard to find at times, but once you have been there you will not forget where it is! Keep Rockin HotPot :)
(5)Allen L.
This place was interesting. My wife wanted traditional hot pot, like she had in China. This place was listed as a hot pot restaurant. Perfect...right? Not so much. They call it, "An American spin on Chinese hot pot." We were open minded, but still disappointed. It was more like Crazy Bowls and Wraps meets a noodle shop. We ordered two bowls and two smoothies. Both were quite delicious, but the lingering feeling of "bait and switch" never went away. It left a sour taste in my mouth long after the tasty noodles had been eaten. They should change the name to something like "Noodles and Smoothies" or something similar. Maybe that would curb any future confusion.
(2)Matthew P.
Food was amazing. Hard to find places in this city that cater to both vegetarian and pescatarian lifestyles. Excellent bowls, great sauces and arrange iced tea.
(5)Sarah J.
Oh Hot Pot! How I love you so! Your rice and noodle bowls are a health dream. Thanks for not skimping on the veggies! Your beverage selection is unique-- the cucumber lemonade is ahhmazing!
(5)Jacqueline C.
Absolutely not what we anticipate. Bulgogi is a Korean style of beef bbq'd. What I was was some sort of shredded crock-pot style beef. Not good. The bahn mi was totally for the american palate and I wish they'd made just call it something else and then make a note it's Vietnamese influenced, everything to me was just a wreck.The sauces being served with the dishes, even more of a nightmare. I ordered this bulgogi bowl and the women tried to convince me to get the thai chili sauce or something. I asked for it on the side, already being skeptical. And glad I did, it was like the sweet and spicy sauce you dip spring rolls in at a thai place. I did feel very healthy eating any of it eithere, I think I've had more healthy food from authentic viet/asian places. As well Whole Foods food bar. I think they are having a little crisis identity. fail.
(2)Stacey T.
The Hot Pot is that "ish" as the young people phrase it. The hubby was down & out with the flu so I used my handy yelp app to locate fresh smoothies that weren't from McD's. I was pointed west and proceeded without haste. Upon entry I found local art adorning the walls, including some old pin ball machines chopped up to look like art...not sure how I feel about that...especially if they are for sale. At any rate, there were tons of interesting things to look at, including the menu. The menu is written in chalk on the ever so trendy chalk board paint, which is handy for many reasons, such as crossing things off as they are 86ed and being widely visible for everyone in line. (There will be a line, but it's pretty efficient). Choices are as follows: pick a carb (Thai noodles, rice noodles, Brown rice or sweet potatoes), pick a protein (shrimp, crispy pork, spicy beef, tofu, maybe chicken...can't remember), pick from a variety of fresh veggies and finish it off with a sassy Asian sauce. Then grab a seat & stare at the wall art for about five to ten minutes... And then, boom. A huge, beautifully hand-crafted pottery barn bowl filed with fresh, delicious goodness is in your face. Never get ten dollar take out again, unless from hot pot. The portion is remarkable. Change nothing. I've tried the spicy beef with Thai noodles, all the veggies & misoyaki sauce. You bet your sweet ass I dominated that entire bowl of goodness... or like 90% of it and the rest a few hours later. It was amazing. I added a touch of their house made hot sauce... I'll never look back. I also tried the hubs crispy pork with rice noodles & curry sauce. It was also good but needed more curry to be a winner. The smoothies were yummy, as was the cucumber lemonade. Word of advice: cucumber lemonade it's not meant to be in an Arnold Palmer. Just sayin. Btw, never have I ever visited a public restroom with the recycled t.p. I mean, that's pretty rad. Keep doing your thing, Hot Pot. I'll be back.
(5)Lorraine N.
I really wanted a healthy smoothie one Saturday morning after getting up early not eating and running errands. I didn't want the infamous smoothie king because i seriously just feel like that is kool-aid. Then like a beacon i saw the big painted happy kitty cat on the store front hiding in a little plaza.....I made a quick turn around and decided to give it a try. I had the green based smoothie I think called godzilla and it was not only flavorful but I felt good about my choice as it has to be healthy....The husband got the agave based fruity smoothie with mango and other fruits. We both thought they were lip-smacking good. We really want to go back and eat here as it appears they have fresh healthy ingredients packed full of flavor.....So many places to eat so little time.....uugghhh The old school pinball machine tops used as artwork was pretty dang inventive and cool and we really liked the display of local artwork.
(4)Brant H.
Maybe it was an off day. Though I had been here a couple times before and had a similar impression. This time the chicken. Basically it seemed lightly cooked but unflavored raw vegetables, raw udon noodles, tough unflavored chicken, all placed in a bowl of broth with slight flavor but thin as water. That's pretty much it for about $11. I applaud a local indie effort but it reminded me of what happens when someone like me who has no idea how to cook, tries to cook. Wish them luck, and maybe some inspiration.
(2)Kayla B.
I found this place while I was out running errands. I was starving and randomly googled a nearby "paleo-friendly" joint out of desperation. I had never heard of Hot Pot but decided to go after reading Yelp Reviews. I loved the place! If you are a good conscious person, you will love it as well! I got a tea, bowl of chicken, sweet potatoes, veggies, curry and a smoothie for about $18. To those complaining about the price, you clearly don't regularly make smoothies/health food at home, because it's a decent price. I asked to make sure they don't use artificial syrups in their smoothies and they don't. The staff is very friendly and will answer any questions you may have about gluten, paleo, whole 30, nuts or dairy. They even have some desserts! The atmosphere is nice, with a cute, quirky sitting area inside (and done stairs). There are also a couple tables outside with a dog bowl. If you are wanting food to go, give them about 10-15 minutes to cook. It is worth the wait!! The ONLY mildly negative thing about my experience was I did not feel like I got very much chicken in my bowl. Very little, but now I know to ask for extra next time. I also wish they had more of the "grain free" breads and desserts. Also, if they were open for breakfast on the weekends this would be my go to place! (They don't open until 11). I mainly cook at home but this place is FANTASTIC for on the go days, eating out days or ALL NATURAL smoothies! (Goodbye artificial smoothie king!) Stop by!
(5)Richard H.
America, eat better. Hot Pot makes it easy just to do that. I love eating out and cooking myself also. Raking the garden gets u a lot of fresh veggies cooked just right with a lot of crunch left in the celery and broccoli. I had the spicy beef udon noodle and combination sauce, a fresh bowl of noodle soup. This place is great to get a healthier noodle or rice dish. The misoyaki broth rich and full, what my wife had. Highly recommend this place. Will definitely return to try more combinations. When others say a Hidden Gem, they ain't kidding. Local and friendly. Donate $10 to the USO and u get a $10 gift certificate to Hot Pot. Consciously to healthier food and a better world. What and how u eat greatly affects ur mood life and quality of u. Junk in junk out
(5)Tammy M.
Hot pot is a hidden gem! I enjoy the quality fresh ingredients and this place has something for everyone from vegan to meat eater! I will be making this a regular spot for a quick healthy lunch. Thanks so much for offering this type of place to the community.
(5)I Know W.
There are certainly a list of things one could complain about - the place is a little beat up, food takes a while, the smoothies are not always consistent, a lot of people behind the counter still waiting for service. The menu is somewhat confusing with many hand written signs and menu items described a little differently from the hand menu, and menu board. The quality of chicken was suspect, the tofu was ok, but a bit crumbly. The positives - the food don't lie, it beats out almost everyone else on healthiness and positive conciseness. Keep on rocking, tighten up the operation, get some females behind the counter it will allow for a better balance.
(4)Jared B.
Happened to be meeting a friend in the Kirkwood area and as I waited I looked for a place to grab some food. Came across The Hot Pot, and there menu sounded VERY intriguing. I am a like, 90% healthy eater. I may have a cheat meal once a week, I may not. Let me tell you this was not a cheat meal! This is absolutely something I would prepare at home, only they make it taste way better! So, healthy great tasting food. Seriously though, you choose a protein (chicken, beef...etc), veggies (TONS OF VEGGIE kale, mushrooms, carrots...etc) I suggest raking the garden, carb (I regret not getting the sweet potatoes but my quinoa was great too), and finish it with a sauce. Now, I will say one downfall is the sauce. I got the miso sauce and it was SUPER salty. My tongue still feels dry. So, next time I go I think I will have them go very light on the sauce. I will definitely be returning and trying more of the menu like the freshly juiced juices and the "paleo" sweet treats!!! Great to have a healthy choice while out and about!!!
(4)Picha M.
Actually heard about this place from the checkout person at Global Food Market so I had to bookmark it on YELP and stop by at a later date. If you blink you will miss the store front. It is in an obscure strip mall on the north side of Manchester Rd just east of Kirkwood Middle School. When you walk in you'll notice a hodge podge of seating options from tables to stools by the window. The size of the restaurant and decor gives it a "divey" appearance but don't let that fool you. The food is excellent. What a fun idea. As the name indicates they sell Smoothie's and Hot Pots. You walk up to the counter and order off the short menu. Essentially you pick your starch, protein and then flavoring. We ordered the Tempeh with the spicy miso sauce and the Char Siu with the lemon mango curry. The portions were decent and cooked to order. I did not add any table condiments although traditionally in asian food you can season to your liking with different table condiments. Overall the flavoring was good and the ingredients very fresh. I was hoping for a little more spice but overall I really enjoyed it! There was a continual parade of customers so the word must be out about this place. I'm just late to jump on the band wagon... as usual. I will be back! Of note there is more seating downstairs and parking behind the building.
(4)Jason H.
This is a great little place. Getting your bowl raked across the greens is the most vegetables I think I've had at any restaurant, so good. I like the zucchini noodles but the udon are great too.
(5)Lissa C.
I love this neighborhood gem! The food is delicious, and the staff are always friendly. My favorite smoothie is the Chuck Norris with the veggie base. They also have a frequent buyer punch card, so after 10 smoothies or bowls, you get one free. I'm a dedicated regular!
(5)Missy K.
This is a great choice for paleo foodies....especially those who love their veggies. I had the zucchini noodles, raked thru the garden with char siu and poblano cashew pesto and it was fab. I like my food super spicy so I tested all three of their homemade hot sauces and fell in love with "bad kitty". My only complaint is that it is way too much food. I wish there was a half size option for half the price and all would be perfect.
(4)Sheryl K.
It must have been the Asian in me, but I think I passed up this place twice before finding it. Parking was not a problem, but I can't imagine how it would be like during a busy time, they're definitely limited in space! Groupon sent me to this yummy establishment, and if I hadn't chose to go I would have missed out! When walking in, you almost feel kinda lost on what to order. But have no fret: their menu has a nice little way of showing you how to customize your bowl from choosing your meat, starch, and veggies. I chose the famous bulgogi (marinated beef, however doesn't taste quite the same as the Korean version) with brown rice, and assortment of vegetables (may refer to pictures) and also ordered one of their smoothies. Ahhhh! So good. So really really good! The meat was tender and the marinade was a mixture of sweet and salty. This might be debatable, but I think I enjoyed the veggies the most. I love the healthy aspect of this establishment, but is it worth the drive for me? Yes.
(4)Reanna P.
I have been here twice now and both times I had a salad and a tea. The salads are overpriced. They overload the bowl with ingredients but the greens under that are old and soggy with dressing. The green tea came out of a dispenser by the soda machine and I only realized half way through that dregs have covered the bottom of my cup. The interior is just a little dingy, nothing a deep clean wouldn't fix. I am willing to give them one more go and try the hot pots or smoothies.
(2)Beth B.
I really like Hot Pot Smoothie shop. The name is somewhat misleading & for the longest time I just thought it was just another smoothie shop. It's such a unique concept for the area & caters to so many different diets - vegan, vegetarian, Paleo, carnivore, gluten-free. The ingredients are super fresh & healthy. For vegetarians, they even offer tempeh, in addition to tofu. Being the carnivorous type, I've had the bulgogi beef with rice noodles, and the Cantonese pork with rice. I've also had smoothies there before - 'green and sticky' is the way to go (added kale, cucumber, spinach, celery). Absolutely delicious! It's a very unassuming location in a dated strip mall, but don't let that scare you off. The decor is cute & inviting, and the staff very friendly. There's something for everyone here.
(4)Andrew L.
Was little disappointed to find that they did not serve authentic hotpot. Ordered shrimp with Thai green curry, nice level of spice, but lacked more substantial flavors. Used the yelp check in to get coffee, was surprised they didn't have any on hand as kid started to use what I suspect to be milk frother to make some. Coffee was horrendous, it smelled great but tasted like burnt water, will try smoothie next time. Overall not bad, may go back sometime for smoothie. Would describe as hipster eclectic crazy bowls
(3)Lois W.
I have grown to like Hot Pot. The variety of protein and sauces keeps me coming back. The food is always healthy and priced right. Yelp gets me a free beverage w meal. BONUS!! So you MUST try the cucumber lemonade. So so crisp and delicious. Don't be scared!
(4)Anna T.
I really really wanted to like this place. Its difficult to dine out when you have Coeliacs and a Casein intolerance and I was incredibly excited to learn about this place. Especially since they offer paleo options too. Unfortunately, despite talking with both the chef and the woman who took my order about my needs, I got horribly glutened. I'm not sure what went wrong in the kitchen (maybe one of the kids that were running around back there were not being careful?) but I cannot recommend this as a safe option for Gluten free diners. For those of you who simply want to eat healthy, I got the green curry sauce with chicken, sweet potatoes and raked it through the garden. I was hoping for a spicier curry but it was still decent for the price. I do wish the vegetables were not sliced the same way(in long straw like shapes) but it was very fresh, very cheap and seemed healthy.
(1)Sarah G.
Disappointing. I loved that they had Paleo options, only reason they got 3 stars, but I felt the flavor was lacking. I got a bowl with the lemon mango curry sauce. It tasted like nothing. Very disappointing since this seemed to be their best sauce, the menu said it was famous. Paleo doesn't have to be boring.
(3)Jenni A.
How is it that I have never heard of this place that is right by my house?? I have no idea. But now that I have discovered it, I can guarantee it will be a new staple in my life! I had the brown rice, beef, carrots, celery and the sauce that is like teriyaki. OMG!!! It was absolutely delicious! My little sidekick had the same but with the addition of shrimp. They were nice enough to give us a sample of the beef and pork when we couldn't decide which we wanted. I didn't even get to a smoothie because I was stuffed after the hot pot. Hot pot, you are going to get to know me very well!!!!
(5)Robin H.
Wow! I can't believe I'm the first one to review HotPot. Today was their opening day and since it's right down the street from my work I couldn't wait to give it a try. I was not disappointed! First of all, I took a chance of going for lunch on opening day even though I had an appointment at 1:30 in Chesterfield. There was a steady stream of customers, but I had my food in less than five minutes. I ordered the HotPot Bowl w/ Thai rice noodles, Bulgogi beef, Yuzu yaki sauce, carrots, peppers, shitake, and scallions. Delish! I also tried the lemon cucumber lemonade which was so good that I took them up on a free refill before I left. My only disappointment was that their website lists a crab rangoon hotpot that I wanted to try. It wasn't available today, but hope it's available next time. I plan to be a familiar face. Speaking of...the staff was incredibly friendly. They introduced themselves and took an interest in getting to know each customer as they came in. I didn't get a chance to try one of their smoothies, but there's always next time. I love supporting local businesses. And, HotPot returns the favor by using other local businesses for their ingredients (Mississippi Mud coffee, Clayton Bakery, and Eat Here St. Louis). Even, their bowls are made by local artisans. Go check it out for yourself! See you there?
(5)Tori S.
We had a foodiestl.com coupon, and had not heard of the place before. We went without looking at the menu online first, and were surprised to find they had SOMEthing for a mostly paleo dieter! You'd be surprised how hard it is to eat dinner out, get something that is diet appropriate, AND pay a low price. This place does it all. We got the green curry with the spicy beef. I got the paleo-friendly sweet potatoes. It tasted good, and extremely healthy. Maybe some of the prior complaints are coming from folks who don't mind the usual added unnecessary cream/butter/salt/etc. I was very pleased, and had enough for both dinner last night and lunch today. To accompany our meals, we each got a smoothie. My husband had the plain base with no added greens, and I got the green and sticky. His tasted better, but I preferred mine for the added benefits, and it still tasted great. Service was really nice. At first we were going to take it to-go because the dining area was pretty smoky, but they have a HUGE dining area in the lower level, super clean and comfy. The place is cute, a little quirky, and fast. Highly recommend, and I will go back!
(5)Katie L.
I first saw this place as I was cruising down Manchester Rd. I made a mental note to check them out on Yelp once I got home. Based on the stellar reviews, I just knew I had to give HotPot Smoothie Shop a try. After a tough workout down the street at Planet Fitness, I decided to go out of my way to get a smoothie. The selections were very impressive! You get to pick the base to your smoothie, either the "green and sticky," or the "original agave," and then you build the rest of your smoothie from there. They also have suggestions for your smoothie, and I decided to go with one of those because I figured they knew what they were talking about! Boy, was I right! I started with the green and sticky base (why not get some veggies in, right?), and picked the suggestion called "The Cleat Chaser," which was a wonderful and sweet mix of strawberries, mangoes, and pineapple. AH-MAY-ZING. It turned out a bright green color and the people at the grocery store that I went to after probably thought I was nuts, but I didn't care--the smoothie was terrific. I couldn't help but notice their saliva-inducing food options as well. I will definitely be back for both smoothies and hot pots. Can't wait until I get the chance again. Well done, HotPot, well done indeed.
(5)Julie H.
This is the worst place I have ever gotten asian food from... The beef is just disgusting! Tastes like Mexican shredded beef. There was almost no sauce and whatever sauce was on it had absolutely NO flavor. I was so disappointed. We got a groupon and will probably never use the second one because the food was sooo bad.
(1)Jason R.
One word: Paleo. This place was recommended to me from a dear friend. The place is small so grab a to-go menu and find out what you want before ordering at the counter. They do get busy. Staff has always been very friendly. I have met the owner a couple of times. I love this place because it is local and they want people to eat healthy and eat fresh cooked food. They have an frequently update Facebook page along with a good website that has their menu on it. One of things I love about the menu is the (P's) next to things noted as Paleo. What's my favorite? Char Siu Pork with Thai green curry, shrooms, broccoli and bell peppers. Bottom line: Support a fabulous local establishment. Learn about Paleo and try their awesome smoothies!
(5)Megumi P.
I seriously love this place! I keep bringing my friends by and they love it too! The food is super awesome and the coffee is AMAZING!!!! They also have a selection of local sodas which is great! I love this place!
(5)chelsea b.
I was very excited to try this place. I have been eating incredibly healthy and low calorie and have been feeling the need to "eat out." This place was a great opportunity! Decor/Atmosphere: Awesome, Clean, Bright and a little funky. It is tiny in there, I wouldn't want to sit there during a busy lunch. Smoothie: Got the green & sticky base with pineapple and strawberry. YUMMY. One of the best health friendly smoothies I have ever had. We got the Salad with Pork and Lemon-Cilantro Vinaigrette. - Absolute perfect combination. The meat was tender and all the veggies were crisp and fresh. One of the best salads, I have ever had. Tofu w/ Udon Noodles, Mush, Kale, Tomato and Green Curry - The noodles were good and all the vegetables were well cooked. The dish lacked seasoning and flavor to me. I dumped the "bad kitty" hot sauce all over it and enjoyed. Green Curry should have a little more -oomph IMO. The sauce was also very watery - I'm hoping it is from lack of gross corn starch-y thickeners. Spicy Beef w/ Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Onion and Mushrooms in Spicy Miso Sauce- Everything was cooked phenomenally and tasted very fresh. The sauce was delicious but I didn't think there was anything spicy about it. Add one of the hot sauces and BAM, perfect! Soup of the Day Was - Cream of Asparagus w/ a Thyme Shrimp Garnish . Soup was delish. Didn't taste super heavily creamed which is great. Loved the shrimp garnish. Hated the sprigs of Thyme - but I hate having sticks in my mouth. All in all, I would recommend them and defiantly go back. If you like simple flavors it is great. If you want a little more spice and pizazz, I would add some of the hot sauces. For some reason I thought they had some sweet treats - but I didn't see any. Will be back soon to try a cucumberlemonade and some more salads! Yumm. Also, service " The Counter Lady" was very friendly and well informed. She had no problem answering my obnoxious questions or taking my long order. YAY!
(4)Megan S.
I like their bowls, but wish they had another sauce option like Pad Thai or a spicy sauce. None of their sauces have any heat! Also don't get the veggie sandwich, way to much bread!
(4)Andrew G.
Wow, Hot Pot exceeded all of my expectations. I ordered the spicy beef raked through the garden bowl with the miso sauce. it was excellent! all of the vegetables seemed very fresh and the sweet potatoes were an added bonus, I couldn't be happier with my experience. the homemade hot sauces are extremely delicious albeit they are quite spicy. I would highly recommend trying the hot sauce is if you are into that kind of thing. Hot Pot has made me a regular customer!
(5)C C.
Terrible experience. First off it was not actually Hot Pot. It was more expensive than expected and even though we walked up to the counter to pick up our own food and cleared our own table the suggested tip was 15%, 20%, or 25% on their application. The sauces weren't all that flavorful (I was with a group of 3 people). The noodles in my mother's dish were underdone so she ate half of mine. The vegetables were also slightly underdone in all 3 dishes. My mother had intended to take hers home and cook it the rest of the way at home for a later meal but their to - go containers weren't good for transporting liquids so we had to leave it behind. Very disappointed. We won't be returning.
(1)Deb K.
Hot Pot is a restaurant that should be duplicated many times over. Excellent, fresh, tasty, clean food prepared and served with care. Unpretentious, warm, welcoming people. Great specials, and the best bowl in STL. Rake it through the garden, pick your sauce, double your protein, and smile. You're at Hot Pot - life is good!
(5)Sarah C.
i got takeout from here the other night and was very pleased! i had a bowl with rice noodles, all the veggies, tofu and misoyaki sauce and it was super yummy. e had a smoothie with mango, coconut, and pineapple in the 'green and sticky' base and loved it. i'd been wanting to try this place forever and will definitely be back.
(5)Stephanie I.
I had been hearing much hype about this place from my coworkers and we finally decided to come check it out again. And it's official: I may have a new favorite lunch spot in town. The menu is like the others have described - customized, healthy bowls with your choice of noodles or sweet potatoes, protein, and unlimited veggies!! And all cooked with your choice of sauce. I went with the rice noodles + bulgolgi beef + thai green curry sauce. Win. Flavors are all there and the portion is enough that I took half of it home (although I cannot say the same for my male coworkers - sorry dudes). I also had to try a smoothie. I went with the greens + mango + pineapple + peach. Um, YUM. Really filling too, so it's a perfect addition to your bowl. I have to dock one star because of the price. A bowl and a smoothie set me back $15, which is a little steep in my opinion. But I will most definitely be back again!
(4)Megan W.
Had a great lunch here. Service was super nice. My 4 year old had a grilled cheese sandwich that came with a great spread of fresh fruit. He ate his whole lunch! I had spicy beef salad that was flavorful. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Lori K.
I was really excited to eat here for my birthday because I have dietary restrictions that have lead me to eat a mostly paleo style diet. I thought this would be a great, worry-free, healthy place to eat. I got the spicy beef and zuknoodles (zucchini noodles) with the lemon mango sauce. The dish was drowning in a fairly flavorless sauce and the beef was shredded and mushy and had barely any flavor. I wasn't really a fan of how they cooked the zucchini noodles either. It was a pretty disappointing meal. I'm not sure if it's just what I ordered and if the other meat/sauce combinations are better but I'm not sure if I really want to go back and find out.
(2)Stephanie S.
Oh hi there, 700th review. If there was any doubt that I was a loser with too much time on her hands, this milestone has probably squashed it. I came here during my lunch break, and BOY, I'm glad I did! HotPot Smoothie Shop is in a quiet area of Kirkwood, in an unassuming little strip mall. If you blink, you'll miss it! Inside, the place is too cute for words. I love what they did with the space. There are a nice amount of tables inside, and each one has a cute little vintage-y wine bottle sitting on top. Nice homey touch. Side note: the word "homey" holds great significance in my heart. It reminds me of Homey the Clown (In Living Color -- what what!), and for that, it will always be one of my very favorite words. I'm going to insert it into every review if I can. Back to the review. I started off with a Godzilla smoothie, which had coconut, raspberry, and ginger in it, among other things. It was sweet, tangy, and delicious. For my lunch, I ordered the bulgogi beef bowl. You get to choose your grain (I went with brown rice), your protein (bulgogi beef for me! You can also choose chicken, tofu, and a few others), your sauce (I went with spicy miso), and add-ins. I added spinach and mushrooms. Wowza. This was super duper flavorful and delicious. The spicy miso sauce wasn't spicy at all, but it definitely packed a powerful flavor punch. Yum. The whole thing just worked. It just did. You really have to try this for yourself. Service here was beyond friendly. They've only been around for a few months, but I hope they stick around for a long, long time. I'm a fan!
(5)Glen D.
Fresh, tasty, and pretty healthy too. Service friendly and the environment is very casual. This is a great example of a small, locally owned restaurant being a much choice than going to a chain restaurant.
(4)Tara J.
My hubby bought a Groupon for this place. When we pulled up I was less than impressed with the location. We went in with my son and looked through the menu. I had no expectations and have no idea what a hot pot should be. The soup I chose had udon noodles, beef, yaki miso sauce and all the veggies. Seriously I have NEVER eaten such a robustly flavorful and unbelievably satisfying soup. My son had the same beef as a sandwich and declared it the best sandwich ever. The beef was seasoned so wonderfully and it had that great umami flavor. My husband had a pork soup and a smoothie. Again, super amazing. The smoothie was fresh and flavorful. My only gripe is that - without the Groupon it would've been pretty pricy. No matter, we're definitely going back!!
(5)Anna H.
I was pleasantly surprised! The bowls are basically healthy, customized stir-fries. The fact that you can use sweet potatoes (instead of noodles or rice) as the base made me very, VERY happy. And then you can add whatever veggies you want on top, AND your choice of sauce, AND the protein. The smoothies sound really good, but didn't have a chance to try it this time. A tasty-looking selection of sweets too! Overall, I love the simplicity of the idea.. but also wish the price was a bit cheaper. Definitely worth trying though, especially if you are health-conscious and/or really like smoothies :)
(5)Kate H.
Fresh ingredients, healthy options, everyone gets what they want, how they want it. Brilliant take out... Or eat in!
(5)Wendy K.
Place is great, my husband absolutely loves it. I have had many different types of bowls and combinations, I like the rice noodles with the beef the best (only because when you order the shrimp there is like 3 or 4). The drinks are wonderful (no seltzer for me) and I have yet to try a smoothie. Which is a shame because I LOVE SMOOTHIES! It might take a little longer than expected to get your food, but it is because it is sooo fresh. Eat there 100%. The eco friendly take home boxes don't keep the sauce too well, its such a cute experience and place Im not sure why anyone wouldn't eat there anyway.
(5)Valerie T.
Yummy and delicious. Gracious and nice owner. Will be back!!!
(5)Chris Z.
This place offers noodle & rice bowls as well as Bahn Mi type sandwiches. The ingredients are fresh. The service is stellar, and I doubt most people even know it's here. Ordering takes some getting used to, as you have to put together your meal by picking different options.... kind of like Subway.
(4)Isaac D.
This place has a friendly staff, uses quality ingredients and the food is excellent. A true gem. I highly recommend the green curry sauce. It was loaded with flavor and had a nice amount of heat.
(4)Andy H.
Great food - great price - great service! My favorite is the Bulgogi beef bowl with rice, shitake mushrooms, celery, and onion.
(5)Ryan P.
The best take out noodle/bowls in the area. Fresh ingredients, great owners, good food.
(5)Melissa A.
Great healthy option in Kirkwood. I appreciate the paleo friendliness (roasted sweet potatoes instead of noodles, awesome!). I really enjoyed the green curry. If I lived in St Louis, I would be a regular.
(5)Dena G.
Love making my bowl and there's a good selection of base, protein and veggie options to assemble it. I would recommend that the tofu and the tempeh be marinated though; there's simply not enough time for those items to soak up flavors and they taste a little weird in the bowl.
(4)Justin S.
Finally Groupon success!! We went on a limb with a groupon here ( a very generous one I might add) and boy are we glad we did. I came here with my wife and in-laws. The groupon let us each get a bowl and a smoothie so we got to sample quite a bit each. That was a smart moveon behalf of the owners because now I have double the reason to come back! When ordering a bowl you get to choose your base (like noodle, rice, etc) your meat or tofu, add a sauce, and then you get to pick as many of the veggies you want. My bowl was a curry sauce with braised beef and sweetpotatoes for the base. Then pile on a number of veggies and it was sooo good. I really was pleasantly surprised by it. My only little complaint would be the normal prices aren't cheap. The bowl I ordered was about $10. For me, it was just enough that I won't go back all the time. But I understand that with all the fresh options they have they gotta cover costs. On to the smoothie, you get to choose a base of either agave or sticky green. Again, you get to add all kinds of fruits and make it your own. The atmosphere is very casual and I also noticed they have a huge added seating area in the basement. Can't wait to go back again.
(4)Doug R.
Interested in developing a taste for seriously healthy food that is also delicious, then go to the HotPot Smoothie Shop near the corner of Manchester and Geyer in Kirkwood. What a great way to get the ball rolling on that New Year's Resolution to eat healthier.
(5)J K.
As a vegan I was pretty stoked about this place. Unfortunately it missed the mark. The fluorescent lighting is off putting, the seating is not comfortable. The noodle dish was OK but not something I would pay $10 for. And the plastic cutlery was difficult to eat with and not eco friendly. I wish this place all the best, but I will not be back anytime soon.
(2)Donald M.
Great evening out and great food. Really cool little place with wonderful food. We had the pork "raked the thought the garden" and the seasonal pumpkin sauce. $25 for two bowls and drinks. Highly recommended
(4)Jon J.
I have to say that the previous reviewers on yelp really let me down with this place. Maybe I came in on an off night or something. I got a bowl with bulgogi beef, thai rice noodles, and the garlic chili sauce. The beef had almost zero flavor and was the consistency of pot roast instead of bulgogi. There was almost no chili or garlic flavor to the sauce. The "homemade pie" i ordered turned out to be made with canned peaches. The employees were all very nice so it made it difficult to go with two stars on the review. Not really sure how anyone could give this a 5 star review. Maybe the smoothies are really good?
(2)Sonya G.
It's a confusing place. Smoothies and hot pots....kind of a strange combo. And they have a terrible name. We had to have the menu explained to us which took the cashier a minute or two and there were people waiting to place their order. My husband had the pork hot pot while I had the farm salad. For the hot pots, you order the type of protein and then the type sauce you want. He had the lemon mango curry sauce with pork. He liked it. My salad was very fresh, although I thought that it was difficult to eat out of their fluted bowls. The scallions were in huge chunks and I couldn't eat them. It would have been better had they been cut like a garnish and used as such. The cilantro lemon ginger dressing was awful. Salty and really "raw" tasting. I had a raspberry/strawberry/peach smoothie with the agave base. Nothing special except the price of over $6.00. I think that they are trying to cater to a customer that wants to eat "healthy". But their food is expensive and could be better if it was more normal and not so far out. I hope that they adjust their menu to appeal to a larger customer base.
(3)Kim P.
My wife and I really enjoyed dinner here on Friday. The food quality is exceptional. Everything is freshly made and made generously.
(5)Chip D.
Unique, Healthy, Awesome! Check it out.
(5)Raquel P.
You know it's going to be good when deliciousness hits your nose the second you crack the door open! Friendly & fast staff...healthy & scrumdeliumptious food and overall great energy! So happy to have FINALLY stopped to try Hot Pot!
(5)Bradley S.
Saw the little lucky lucy in the windows ... stopped in for a surprising delicious seasonal pumpkin curry ...
(5)Brandon K.
Pros: -Very fresh vegetables -Not a chain, plus in both atmosphere and menu selection -Semi-healthy (the bowl had a ton of sodium) Cons: -Ask for 15, 20, 25% tip at the counter where you order and it's not discrete but rather an iPad turn around with everyone behind you looking at what big button you hit. To me it's not even a tipping place, you order at the counter and bus your table. There's no atmosphere or service. So what is the tip, a surcharge? I also don't like being verbally asked for a tip. -The hot pot isn't a hot pot, it's actually stir fry with sauce on it -Bulgogi isn't bulgogi, how do I know? I'm Korean. I seemed like slow cooked roast beef pulled apart in sauce. -Yaki is weird name for a sauce, it means fire, like in actual fire. You could have yaki-dare, which means grill sauce but what I think I got was more teriyaki unless they used mirin and sake which would be more yakitori sauce. How do I know? My gf is Japanese and a good cook and I lived in Japan for 6 years. -'bahn mi style' sandwich wasn't even close. It's a soft bread western hoagie/hero/sub sandwich with a cool Asian name. Bahn mi is the viet style, french influenced baguette sandwich. I think the translation is bread but generally refers to that. This follows in that it is mostly the bread and very little meat/vegetables by US traditional standards but the bread was soft hoagie from like a grocery store. $8. Salad ($2 extra over chips but wasn't told when asked if we wanted a salad) which had 3 large leaves and a couple carrot slivers and dressing was $10. Had to cut the leaves ourselves. Add tax and that tip, it was $13.50. My gf didn't want to eat much of the bread because 'not going to fill up on cheap plain white bread' so what was left, she was starving after and she's a whopping 108 pounds. We eat at Fozzies weekly and the sandwiches are 1/2 the cost, twice the food and healthy + delicious. -bowl (sorry I'm not going to call it a hot pot, it's like crazy bowls) was ok but on the small size and uber salty. Way too much straight soy sauce I would of been fine with it but small bowl, 1 lemonade, 1 tap water, 1 small sandwich and I'm $27.50 lighter (including tax and tip) seems way overpriced for a small lunch given it's a counter order eat and run place.
(2)Kathy M.
My daughter and I have fallen in love with this place. While they push how healthy their food is, I think it beats almost any place for the taste.
(5)Eva S.
A little pricey (after adding protein, it came to over $7 with tax for a 24oz), but this place has the best smoothies I've ever had!! The staff is always friendly and efficient... I'm typically in and out in five minutes. Well worth it.
(4)Tracy S.
One word...YUM! The bowls are the way to go at Hot Pot. My favorite is the udon noodles with the shredded beef and a mix of the green curry/garlic chili. The staff is super friendly. Local owners and the freshest ingredients...a wonderful combination.
(5)Tim R.
I haven't been back to my hometown of Kirkwood in awhile. Much to my delight, the best restaurant I've eaten in happens to be smack behind my rents' place. It's a tiny store front joint in a 60s strip mall complete with bright, uninviting florescent lighting, cheap tables and stuff taped up on the walls. It's the antithesis of a cozy bistro and more like the DMV. But wait, you read the five stars above this review, right? Well, at the end of the day it's the food that matters and HotPot does it right. It's vegetarian- centered, organic, hippie local vibe comes to light in each bite. The idea of eating fresh and healthy has finally arrived in Missouri and I implore all of you to not only keep this daring place in business but help them expand to overcome the miles and miles of toxic chain abattoirs which litter the region. Come on Missouri, you know you don't want to be in the bottom 10 unhealthiest states in the nation. Here's your chance for salvation and it's a delicious one at that. Make HotPot your New Year's resolution and discover what real, quality, fresh food that is lovingly prepared tastes like. Or screw it and go to the Cracker Barrel. Just offering a little motivation.
(5)Rag r.
I keep getting the bulgogi beef with udon noodles, Yaki sauce and veggies. I am hooked! The meal is always fresh, tasty and healthy. Fortunately I live in the neighborhood so this is now a regular haunt for me, love it, love it!
(5)Neil S.
Great cold press coffee and great location and parking. Have not tried their food, but definitely want to eat here very soon.
(4)Brenna E.
Just left the place and I cannot wait to go back!! Everything was so fresh and delicious. The pastries are wonderful and not too sweet like most other places. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a clean, fresh, delicious meal from a local business. Kudos!
(5)