Montreal-born Soup Zen Hot Pot is headed to Burlington Mall this fall, planning its first U.S. outpost and promising chef-prepared bowls instead of the usual do-it-yourself burners at the table. The build-your-own concept is set to feature both fixed-price premium selections and a pay-by-weight system, plus a generous sauce bar and complimentary soft-serve, with a tentative October 2026 opening on the horizon.
Town officials have already cleared a key hurdle for the project, approving a Minor Engineering Change that allows the restaurant to take over space in the mall, according to the Town of Burlington. The Planning Board signed off at its March 19, 2026 meeting after reviewing revised elevations, landscaping plans and renderings.
What Soup Zen Will Serve
Soup Zen bills itself as a modern hot pot spot where diners pick from more than 100 ingredients and roughly 10 soup bases before staff take over and prepare the meal, per Soup Zen Hot Pot. The menu is pork-free and halal-friendly, and the brand highlights fresh broths, chef-led service and a built-in sauce bar so guests can tweak flavors to their liking.
Timeline and Local Details
WhatNow reports the Burlington location will land at 75 Middlesex Turnpike, Unit 1079C, with a tentative October 2026 opening. According to the outlet, guests will be able to choose between a fixed-price premium experience or a pay-by-weight option, and the restaurant will feature more than 10 house-made sauce choices plus complimentary ice cream. In a statement to WhatNow, a company representative said, "You have the freedom to choose your favorite menu items, ensuring that your dietary preferences are met."
Where It Will Fit In The Mall
Renderings and application materials filed with the town show Soup Zen taking over spaces numbered 1079, 1079A and 1079B and calling for updated exterior features such as planter boxes and new landscaping, as detailed in the town’s project files. The municipal packet includes a rendering, cover letter and other documentation submitted for the Minor Engineering Change.
Soup Zen’s Burlington debut would mark the brand’s first U.S. outpost; the company currently operates in downtown Montreal, per Soup Zen Hot Pot. For now, the public record centers on the town’s planning packet and local coverage such as the piece in WhatNow, and more details are expected to surface as construction and permitting move forward.
