Kearny Mesa is about to get a new culinary hotspot with the opening of Sot BBQ, a Korean barbecue eatery that takes a traditional spin on a favorite dining experience. Scheduled to start serving in the late July or early August timeframe, Sot BBQ promises to deliver an ancient Korean cooking technique to the San Diego area, utilizing heavy cast-iron cauldrons integral to its tabletop grilling. A recent post from Eater San Diego states that these cauldrons will be built into the tables, offering guests a unique dining encounter.

Replacing the corner space once occupied by Olleh Sushi in Kearny Plaza, Sot BBQ is set to share the mall with Menya Ultra Ramen and Yesenia's Mexican. The restaurant's launch is backed by a notable $1.6-million renovation that spanned ten months and saw the locale transform into a modern interior and an enclosed former outdoor patio space. The cauldrons, or "sot-ttukeong" as they are traditionally named, have been imported from Korea to prepare and serve dishes authentically. Selected for their superior heat retention, these cauldrons aim to perfectly grill high-quality meats and vegetables at the diner's table.

A notable facet of the experience described by Eater San Diego reveals that servers will be actively involved in the meal preparation, making sure to visit each table around 20 times to cook each part of the meal perfectly. Guests won't have to guess when their food is ready; the attentive staff will ensure everything is perfectly prepared. After the grilling session, patrons can stir-fry extra rice in the remaining savory juices for an additional flavor-rich course.

Among the premium proteins to grace the menu will be A5 Japanese wagyu and American wagyu short ribs, along with accompaniments like fresh and fermented kimchi, which is said to turn sweet when grilled. According to the Eater San Diego, "each month there will also be a rotating array of salts," adding an extra dimension to the palate with options such as green tea salt and red wine salt. Beverage choices include an array of soju, soju cocktails, wine, and Japanese and Korean beer, rounding out the dining experience.

The team behind Sot BBQ is no stranger to the restaurant scene, possessing a wealth of experience from other establishments internationally and within the United States. "Since we have an extensive background in Korean barbecue restaurants, including all-you-can-eat dining concepts, we identified that we want to prioritize high-quality meats at Sot BBQ," Sean Kim, one of the founders, said, as per Eater San Diego. Additionally, an announcement on Sot BBQ's Instagram page teases the "Elevated Korean BBQ Experience" that's set to arrive soon, generating anticipation for this new edition to San Diego's dining landscape.

Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, Sot BBQ will cater to up to 100 diners at a time, accommodating both reservations and walk-in customers. As the community eagerly awaits the opportunity to dive into a meal cooked on ancient cast iron, Sot BBQ is gearing up to become a staple for those searching for a dynamic and flavor-filled culinary adventure, as per Eater San Diego.