J Pot — Restaurant in Fresno

Okay, I normally stick to highly positive reviews because I like to highlight exceptional food and/or service in the local area, however, I just have to warn people who may not be fully prepared for what they may experience here at J Pot. First, please understand, I have quite an adventurous taste. I love food from all varieties of ethnic background from Vietnamese to Hmong, to Indian, Ethiopian, Mediterranean, Italian, American, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, French, Greek, you name it. I enjoy foods from all over the world. Asian varieties, however, are my absolute fave. I had been wanting to try J Pot since I first heard about it, but just never had the opportunity. Last Friday was my 42nd birthday. I chose J Pot as my birthday dinner of choice. I have to admit, I wasn't prepared for it. I didn't do any research beforehand, so my misconception (which I'm finding is a common one), was that there would be some kind of flavored hot broth over a heating source of some kind, and a variety of choices to essentially build my own pot. I anticipated various meats, vegetables, starches, etc. that I could add, bite by bite into the pot to create my own little custom heavenly soup/pot. I was wrong. These "pots" are pre-selected. There are upwards of 10-15 ingredients in every pot, which is fine, however, most of them include some kind of fish ball or tripe, seaweed knot, squid, or other fishy ingredient. Again, also fine, but I wasn't particularly wanting a FISHY soup/pot. And you just can't get around that option. The whole thing had an overwhelming taste of what shrimp sauce smells like, if that makes sense. I tried to make it more enjoyable by smothering it in the tepanyaki sauce, but it was just not good. My poor husband, who is not as adventurous as I, was in agony, trying to choke it down to salvage my birthday dinner, all the while fighting the smoke from the little stove thing they put it on. He ended up just eating the steamed rice that came with the pot, and picking out whatever recognizable meats and vegetables he could find that didn't taste like fermenting fish. I understand that for some, this is delicious and wonderful, but I can also GUARANTEE that it is not for everyone.... even some of those with adventurous taste.

Now, all that aside, I will highlight the GOOD: The loaded gyoza was pretty tasty. The service time was decent. The service PEOPLE were fantastic. (Very attentive, very helpful, very nice. No negative remarks about the people.) The environment was chill. (I did like the sauce bar that was open to come and go as needed.) The wait WOULD have been about 45 minutes, but one of those delightful people (I believe it was the manager on duty), suggested we sit at the bar top which got us served a lot faster.

Overall, as I mentioned, this might be a lot of people's favorites spots. For me and my hubby, however.... we will not be returning at any time, ever. (Said in the nicest, sweetest way possible.)

I would HIGHLY suggest creating a "beginners" pot with recognizable, palatable items for those wanting to experience hot pot without eating a lot of mysterious ingredients. I would also HIGHLY recommend a "BUILD-YOUR-OWN" hot pot that allows the user to have more personal freedom in their dining experience.

If those suggestions were implemented, I'd be more open to giving the place a...

Me and my husband were immediately intrigued by the dine in sign out front. I Know covid restrictions are slowly lifting, and not having to eat out side in the fresno heat that evening was definitely a plus. . The music playing was a mix of everything and the atmosphere was wonderful. Some love song, some 80s Jams some light pop music, best Playlist for a place yet 🎵 . The lighting was great and the booths are tall and have top privacy screens so it really feels like you and your eating party is in thier own little dining experience. Also wonderful for a date here, lots of privacy to talk but enough background noise for it not to get awkward. . Me and husband were a little confused on how to order but our server juliet (spelled it wrong sorry) was so friendly and patient explaing the menu to us🥰. She explained how to build your bowl and how its really customizable. The sauce bar as they call it, is all the toppings and add ins for your soup broth or food for your pot and its worth to try a handful of them. The spicy mayo and peanut sauce was my favorite! . The pots come to you on these little elevated, what look likes camp fire stoves, and your server can turn your fire on and off. My husband got a broth based pot and his meat came raw, but that's the point, you can cook it your self😱 Make sure you ask for little bowls and a soup ladel to share broth because it comes with a lot. ❗One pot is enough to share for 2 people, trust me. We each got our own pot and a lot of food came home with us! It's really filling. . ✅Over all..✅ 10/10 would do again, great atmosphere, great food and a wonderful time. Like I mentioned before, our server Juliet was great and so personable. She was sweetheart and was so patient even twords closing...

At J Pot in Fresno's Riverpark, you feel the buzz the moment you step in. It's not just a dining spot; it's a culinary hub where the bar is always high, both literally and figuratively. The drinks? Simply amazing. The service? It's like they read your mind, ensuring every shot and drink is worth your dime. And let's not skip the boba bar – a haven for those of us who love tailoring our drinks to the mood of the moment.

Navigating the crowds to J Pot, we braced ourselves for the usual wait – about 45 minutes, pretty standard for this gem. But it's Riverpark; the wait just gives you an excuse to explore. Even with the bar packed, we snagged a few drinks, setting a merry tone for the evening. Parking was a bit of a treasure hunt, which is no surprise in a place like Riverpark, but it all adds to the adventure, right?

Settling down to our table felt like a victory. We dove into the J Pot Bowl, a mammoth dish that generously filled the three of us, accompanied by sides of rice and kimchi. The potstickers? Pretty decent. But the real game-changer was the make-your-own sauce station – a playground for flavor enthusiasts like me. With each visit, I dive into a new combination, ensuring a unique taste every time. Our choice? The famous J Pot, loaded and comforting, especially the fried tofu – just heavenly. And the beef tripe with ramen and rice was like a culinary hug. Despite our ambitions, finishing one pot was a battle we happily lost. Between the hearty food, the attentive service, and the vibrant atmosphere, J Pot Fresno isn't just about eating; it's about experiencing. And it's an experience I'm eager to...