Locals Beg Tourists Not To Find This All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Buffet In Oklahoma

Tucked away on South Memorial Drive in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Won Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is the kind of place that food lovers whisper about like it’s a secret society. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by the aroma of sizzling meats and the gentle steam rising from bubbling hot pots.

The restaurant’s popularity has exploded, especially on weekends, when wait times stretch and tables fill fast. Regulars joke that you need a secret password or handshake to snag a seat during peak hours. Part of the charm is the delivery robot that glides between tables, dropping off trays of raw ingredients like a futuristic butler.

So if you’re in Tulsa and looking for a meal that’s interactive, indulgent, and unforgettable, Won Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is the place to be. Just don’t be surprised if locals hesitate to share the name; they’re trying to keep this delicious secret all to themselves.

1. A Hidden Gem in an Unexpected Place

Tulsa might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of authentic Korean cuisine, but Won Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is changing that narrative one grill at a time. Nestled in a shopping center that most tourists drive right past, this restaurant has mastered the art of flying under the radar. The unassuming exterior gives no hint of the smoky, savory wonderland waiting inside.

Locals have mixed feelings about its growing popularity. On one hand, they’re proud to have such an incredible dining experience in their backyard. On the other, they’re genuinely worried that word will spread too far and their favorite tables will be impossible to snag.

The location works perfectly for those in the know. Plenty of parking, easy access from major roads, and just enough distance from the tourist trail to keep it feeling like a local secret. Every visit feels like you’ve been let in on something special, and regulars wouldn’t have it any other way.

2. First Impressions That Stop You in Your Tracks

Walking through the front door hits you with a wall of sensory delight. The aroma of caramelized meat mingles with the sharp tang of kimchi and the comforting warmth of simmering broth. Your eyes adjust to see dozens of tables, each with its own built-in grill sending up wisps of delicious smoke.

The dining room buzzes with energy as groups huddle around their personal cooking stations, flipping meat and dunking ingredients into bubbling pots. Laughter and conversation fill the air, punctuated by the satisfying sizzle of fresh beef hitting hot metal. The atmosphere is casual yet exciting, like being invited to a neighborhood cookout where everyone’s a grill master.

Staff members weave through the crowded space with impressive skill, balancing trays loaded with raw meats, vegetables, and sauces. The whole scene feels alive and welcoming, making it clear why this place has earned such fierce loyalty. Before you even sit down, you understand what all the fuss is about.

3. The Tabletop Grill Experience

Each table at Won comes equipped with its own personal grill, transforming every meal into an interactive cooking adventure. The concept is simple but brilliant: you order what you want, and you cook it exactly how you like it. No waiting for a chef’s interpretation, no sending things back to the kitchen.

The grill heats up quickly, and soon you’re wielding tongs like a pro, arranging thin slices of bulgogi and thick cuts of short rib across the grates. Watching the meat change color and hearing it crackle brings out everyone’s inner chef. The control is addictive, and the results are consistently delicious.

Beginners might feel intimidated at first, but the staff are always ready to offer guidance without hovering. They’ll show you optimal cooking times, suggest flavor combinations, and make sure your grill stays at the perfect temperature. Within minutes, even first-timers are grilling with confidence, flipping meat and building bites like seasoned veterans of Korean BBQ.

4. Hot Pot Heaven for Adventurous Eaters

If the grill represents fire and char, the hot pot station offers its liquid counterpart with equal appeal. Diners choose from several broth options, each bringing its own character to the meal. Spicy kimchi broth delivers heat and tang, while milder bone broths provide comfort and depth.

Once your broth is bubbling away, the real fun begins. You select from an impressive array of fresh ingredients: leafy greens, mushrooms, tofu, seafood, noodles, and dumplings. Each addition transforms the pot, building layers of flavor as everything simmers together.

The hot pot experience encourages patience and experimentation. You learn to time your additions, dropping heartier vegetables in first and saving delicate items for the final moments. The communal aspect of sharing a pot brings people together, with everyone reaching in with their chopsticks and discussing what to add next. By the end of the meal, the broth has become a rich, complex soup that tells the story of everything you’ve cooked.

5. Menu Highlights That Keep Regulars Coming Back

The all-you-can-eat format means you can sample everything without commitment, but certain dishes have achieved legendary status among the regulars. The marinated short ribs arrive glistening with a sweet-savory glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. Each bite delivers tender meat with slightly crispy edges that crunch satisfyingly between your teeth.

Pork belly fans rave about the thick-cut slices that render down into juicy, flavorful morsels. Some prefer it simply seasoned with salt and pepper, while others wrap it in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang sauce. The seafood platters deserve special mention, offering shrimp, squid, and mussels that cook quickly and add variety to the meat-heavy lineup.

Beyond the proteins, the banchan selection impresses with its variety and quality. Kimchi, pickled radishes, seasoned bean sprouts, and other small dishes arrive at your table automatically, providing palate-cleansing bites between rounds of grilling. Smart diners use these sides strategically, balancing rich flavors with bright, acidic notes throughout their meal.

6. The Crowd That Makes It Special

Walk into Won on any given evening and you’ll witness a beautiful cross-section of Tulsa dining culture. Families with kids learning to use chopsticks sit next to college students celebrating the end of finals. Couples on date nights share tables with groups of friends marking birthdays and promotions.

The regulars are easy to spot. They move with practiced efficiency, knowing exactly which meats to order first and how to maximize their grill space. They’ve developed their own rituals and preferences, often greeting staff members by name.

Newcomers bring fresh energy to the room, their eyes wide as they take in the spectacle and try to figure out the system. Their tentative first attempts at grilling usually give way to enthusiastic experimentation by the second round. The mix of experienced diners and curious newcomers creates a dynamic atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Social media has brought in younger crowds armed with cameras, though most quickly realize that eating here demands full attention and both hands free.

7. Service That Keeps the Experience Smooth

Managing an all-you-can-eat operation where every table is also a kitchen requires exceptional coordination, and the Won staff handles it with impressive grace. Servers move at a near-constant pace, delivering fresh platters, clearing empty dishes, and checking that grills are functioning properly. Despite the chaos, they maintain friendly attitudes and genuine helpfulness.

The kitchen works at remarkable speed, turning out order after order without noticeable delays. Even on busy weekend nights, wait times between rounds stay reasonable. This efficiency matters tremendously when you’re in the groove of grilling and don’t want momentum to stall.

Staff members show patience with questions and offer cooking tips without making anyone feel inexperienced. They’ll swap out grill grates when they get too charred, bring extra tongs, and suggest dishes you might have overlooked. The service style strikes a perfect balance between attentive and unobtrusive, letting you control your own experience while ensuring you have everything you need to succeed.

8. Strategies for Maximum Enjoyment

Seasoned Won veterans have developed strategies that turn a good meal into an epic feast. The key lies in pacing yourself and thinking several rounds ahead. Start with lighter proteins to warm up your palate and your grilling skills before moving to richer, more heavily marinated options.

Smart diners alternate between grill and hot pot, giving their taste buds variety and preventing flavor fatigue. They build lettuce wraps with precision, layering meat, rice, sauce, and garnishes for the perfect bite. They know when to take breaks, sipping water and nibbling banchan between rounds.

The biggest mistake newcomers make is ordering too much too fast, leading to overloaded grills and wasted food. Experienced eaters order in waves, cooking and eating one round completely before calling for the next. They also understand that all-you-can-eat is a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is sustained enjoyment over hours, not rapid consumption. With the right approach, you can sample dozens of items without feeling uncomfortably stuffed or overwhelmed by the experience.

9. Beyond the Grill: Tulsa Adventures Just Minutes Away

After feasting at Won Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, travelers can keep the good vibes rolling with nearby attractions that offer a taste of Tulsa’s charm. Just a short drive away, the Woodland Hills Mall invites shoppers to browse everything from big-name brands to quirky local finds.

Nature lovers can unwind at LaFortune Park, where walking trails, a golf course, and a serene pond provide a peaceful break. For a dose of culture, the Philbrook Museum of Art, housed in a stunning Italian-style villa, is a must-see, blending fine art with lush gardens.

Families might enjoy the Tulsa Zoo or catch a show at the River Spirit Casino Resort, which hosts concerts and comedy nights. Whether you’re into retail therapy, outdoor strolls, or artistic escapes, Tulsa offers plenty to explore just beyond the sizzle of the grill.