Burnin 99 Korean BBQ & Hotpot: What to Expect and How to Order

What Burnin 99 Offers

Burnin 99 Korean BBQ & Hotpot is a table-cooking restaurant where you heat broth and raw ingredients at your own burner, then cook and eat directly from the pot. The restaurant operates in South Carolina with locations that serve both Korean-style hotpot (simmering broths with vegetables, proteins, and noodles) and Korean BBQ (grilled meats cooked on tabletop grills). You order from a menu, the kitchen sends out your raw ingredients and broth, and you control the heat and timing.

The experience is interactive and social—groups sit around a single table, each person cooking what they want at their own pace. Burnin 99 supplies the equipment (the burner, pot, and grill), the broth base, and the raw ingredients. You do the cooking. This format works well for groups because everyone can customize their portion and cook timing without waiting for a single kitchen order.

Key Takeaways

• You cook your own food at the table using a provided burner and pot, so the experience is hands-on and takes longer than a typical restaurant meal.
• Hotpot broths come in different flavors (spicy, mild, seafood-based), and you add your choice of raw proteins, vegetables, and noodles to the simmering broth.
• Korean BBQ at Burnin 99 uses a tabletop grill where you cook thin-sliced meats yourself, often with dipping sauces and side dishes included.
• Reservations or arriving during off-peak hours (early evening or weekday lunch) helps avoid long waits, since table turnover is slower than at traditional restaurants.
• The meal cost depends on which proteins and broth you choose, and groups typically spend 60 to 90 minutes at the table.

How Hotpot Works at Burnin 99

When you order hotpot, you choose a broth flavor first. Burnin 99 typically offers options like spicy Korean broth, mild seafood broth, and sometimes a dual-chamber pot so two people can cook in different broths at once. The kitchen brings out your broth in a metal pot, sets it on the tabletop burner, and lights the flame. The broth begins to simmer.

Next, the restaurant delivers your raw ingredients on separate plates: thinly sliced beef or pork, seafood (shrimp, squid, fish cakes), leafy greens, mushrooms, tofu, and sometimes dumplings or meatballs. You also receive noodles (usually rice noodles or ramen) and a small bowl of dipping sauce. From that point, you add ingredients to the pot as you want them, wait for them to cook (usually 30 seconds to two minutes depending on the item), then fish them out with the provided strainer or chopsticks and eat.

The broth becomes richer as you cook—flavors from the ingredients infuse into the liquid. Many groups save the broth at the end and add noodles to finish, turning the remaining liquid into a soup course. This final step is optional but common.

Korean BBQ at Burnin 99

The Korean BBQ option uses a flat or slightly domed grill built into the center of the table. The restaurant brings out thin-sliced raw meats (beef, pork, chicken, sometimes lamb), along with lettuce leaves, dipping sauces (usually soy-based and spicy gochujang), and side dishes called banchan (kimchi, pickled vegetables, seasoned spinach, and others). You place meat directly on the hot grill, cook it for a minute or two until it chars slightly, then wrap it in a lettuce leaf with sauce and eat it.

Korean BBQ at Burnin 99 is faster than hotpot because the meat cooks quickly and you eat as you go. The experience is still social and interactive, but the meal typically takes 45 to 60 minutes rather than the 60 to 90 minutes hotpot can take. Many groups order both—starting with BBQ and moving to hotpot, or vice versa.

Pricing and What's Included

Burnin 99 prices by protein type and portion size. A single hotpot order (enough for one person) typically costs less than a BBQ order for one, because hotpot broths are shared and stretched across multiple ingredients. A BBQ order for one person includes a set amount of meat, but groups often order multiple portions to share and cook together.

Most orders include the broth or grill, the raw ingredients, basic banchan (side dishes), and dipping sauces. Rice and noodles may be included or charged separately depending on the location and menu. Drinks, dessert, and additional orders are separate charges. Prices vary by location within South Carolina, so calling ahead or checking the menu online before visiting helps you budget accurately.

Timing and Reservations

A hotpot meal takes longer than a traditional restaurant experience because you are cooking at the table. Plan for 60 to 90 minutes from arrival to departure, especially if you are new to the format or dining with a group that likes to linger. Korean BBQ moves faster—typically 45 to 60 minutes—but still requires more time than ordering and eating a prepared dish.

Burnin 99 locations often fill up during dinner hours (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and weekends. If you arrive without a reservation during peak times, you may wait 30 minutes to an hour for a table. Calling ahead to reserve a table is common practice. Arriving for lunch or early dinner (before 5:30 p.m.) usually means shorter waits. Weekday visits are typically less crowded than weekends.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Wear clothes you do not mind getting a slight smell from, because cooking at the table means smoke and steam rise toward you. An apron is sometimes provided, but not always. Avoid loose sleeves or dangling jewelry that could brush the hot pot or grill. If you have long hair, tie it back.

Arrive hungry and ready to spend time at the table. Hotpot and BBQ are not quick meals. Bring cash or a card—most locations take both, but confirming payment methods ahead of time prevents surprises. If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, no shellfish, allergies), call the restaurant before visiting so the kitchen can prepare your ingredients accordingly.

Tips for First-Time Diners

Start with a mild broth if you are unsure about spice levels. Korean broths can be quite hot, and once you add spicy ingredients, the heat builds. You can always order a second pot with more spice if the first one is too mild. Ask your server which proteins cook fastest (usually thin-sliced beef and leafy greens) and which take longer (meatballs, dumplings, thicker cuts). This helps you time your cooking so food is ready when you want to eat it.

Do not overcrowd the pot. Adding too many ingredients at once lowers the temperature and creates a mushy texture. Cook in waves—add a small batch, eat, then add more. For BBQ, do not leave meat on the grill too long or it will char heavily and become tough. A minute or two per side is usually right. If you are dining with others, take turns cooking so everyone gets a chance to grill and the table does not become chaotic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to cook to eat at Burnin 99?

No. The restaurant staff explains the process when you sit down, and cooking hotpot and BBQ is straightforward—drop ingredients in broth or place meat on a grill. Your server can demonstrate if you ask. Most first-time diners pick it up within the first few minutes.

Can I make a reservation?

Yes. Call the location directly to reserve a table, especially for dinner or weekends. Walk-ins are welcome during slower hours, but you may wait during peak times. Group reservations (six or more people) are often encouraged.

What if I am vegetarian?

Burnin 99 offers vegetarian broths and a full range of vegetable, tofu, and noodle options. Call ahead to confirm the kitchen can prepare a vegetarian hotpot or BBQ experience without meat cross-contact if that matters to you.

Is hotpot or BBQ better for a first visit?

Both are good introductions. Hotpot is slower-paced and more forgiving if you overcook something—you can always add more broth. BBQ is faster and feels more like traditional grilling. If you are unsure, ask your server which is more popular at that location, or order both and try each.

How much should I budget per person?

Prices vary by location and what you order, but plan for a range that covers your local Burnin 99. Call ahead or check online menus to see current pricing for the specific proteins and portions you want.