Colorado Springs has two interactive dining experiences that blend Korean culture, K-pop flair and plenty of hands-on fun — both brought to town by owners of a local Asian family business.

Hot Pot Story Colorado Springs, 5660 Barnes Road, opened in May 2024 and quickly became a local sensation. The restaurant uses a conveyor belt system that circles the dining area, carrying a colorful assortment of ingredients for guests. Diners create their own culinary adventure by selecting items from the belt and cooking them at their tables in bubbling pots of broth.

If you’ve ever been to a sushi restaurant with a “sushi train,” you’ll recognize the concept: dishes glide by on a moving belt, and you grab what catches your eye. At Hot Pot Story, the choices include noodles, meats, vegetables, and combination plates — all ready to be cooked in your choice of broth.

It’s an engaging, social way to eat and explore flavors together. Be warned, though — it’s popular and often packed with fans eager to snag a seat.

Hours: 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Saturday; noon–9 p.m. Sunday (closed Tuesday). Details: 719-881-6789, tinyurl.com/49t64bd6.

In July, the same owners debuted BBQ & Hotpot Story COS, 3255 Cinema Point. This location trades the conveyor system for table service but adds a twist — guests can choose to grill meats, cook ingredients in hot pots or do both at once for a full Korean barbecue and hot pot experience.

Adding to the fun is the restaurant’s expansive Clawderland arcade in the lobby. Never heard of one? Clawderland is a dazzling arcade filled with claw machines stocked with plush toys, games and collectibles featuring popular characters such as Pokémon, Star Wars, and Hello Kitty. It’s a magnet for kids (and adults) eager to test their skills and take home a prize.

Hours are 11:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays; noon-9 p.m. Sundays (closed Tuesdays). Details: 719-881-2345, tinyurl.com/mu2m58vx.

Gone fishing

The Juicy Seafood, 501 Garden of the Gods Road, brings a taste of the coast to landlocked Colorado Springs. The Savannah, Ga.–based restaurant chain is best known for its Cajun-style seafood boils, but it also serves up satisfying fried seafood baskets and po’ boy sandwiches. Judging by the crowds, locals are more than happy to dive in.

From the life-size Captain Hook–style statue guarding the entrance to the blow-up fish, oversized crabs, hanging life preservers and flashing neon signs, the décor is pure nautical kitsch — a lot of it and a lot of fun. There’s plenty to look at while you wait for your pager to buzz.

When your table’s ready, you’ll be greeted with a bucket lined in plastic and stocked with napkins, gloves and bibs — all essential gear for tackling one of the restaurant’s messy (and delicious) seafood boils. Diners can choose from several combinations of shrimp, crab, crawfish, and mussels simmered in rich, spicy broth.

Prices are surprisingly reasonable. Seafood specials start at $27.99 (serves one to two) for a half pound each of black mussels, crawfish and shrimp plus two potatoes and an ear of corn. The largest feast — $85.99 for four or more — includes a pound each of snow crab and shrimp, a half-pound each of Dungeness crab and sausage, and enough sides to share. Fried baskets with fries range from $13 to $16, and there are plenty of appetizers, soups, salads, sides and desserts to round out the meal. Cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks are also available.

Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Details: 719-985-8872 or 719-368-7900; thejuicyseafoodcs.co.

Beer dinner

Bristol Brewing Co. will host a Rare Barrel Community Focused Dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 23) in the brewery’s Barrel Room, 1604 S. Cascade Ave.

For $120 per person, guests will enjoy a four-course dinner crafted by the culinary team from The Carter Payne event center, led by executive chef Brent Beavers. The menu will feature meats from Ranch Foods Direct and a dessert showcasing Josh & John’s first-ever Venetucci Pumpkin Ale ice cream.

Dinner highlights include:

— An exclusive behind-the-scenes brewery tour with Mike Bristol.

— A sneak peek and tasting of the first-ever barrel-aged Imperial Warlock, ahead of its public release.

— Rare pours from the Bristol archives, including Belgian Saison and Old No. 23 Barley Wine.

— Samplings of all three Benefit Beers, featured in dinner sauces and paired with select courses.

Proceeds from Bristol Beer Co.’s Give Back Mix Pack of Benefit Beers support local nonprofits, including Friends of Cheyenne Cañon. The 12-pack features the once-a-year releases of Venetucci Pumpkin Ale, Piñon Nut Brown and Smokebrush Porter, available at local liquor stores and at the brewery.

Tickets: tinyurl.com/hxnbmb3t.

French Kitchen spicing it up

The French Kitchen, 4771 N. Academy Blvd., is collaborating with Savory Spice Shop to offer Let’s Get Spicy 1-4 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 25). Four of the French Kitchen chef instructors will be there cooking and offering samples of their creations using Savory Spice signature blends. The event is free, but registration is required at tinyurl.com/xbw5jk.

Candy Crawl

Get in shape for Halloween Trick or Treating at the Downtown Candy Crawl 2-5 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 25).

For $7 you can visit more than two dozen downtown businesses that will fright and delight with candy samples and other treats like butterbeer and mini perfume. This Downtown trick-or-treating event is open to all ages (kids are welcome but not required). Plus, show up in your best costume for a chance to win a $50 Downtown gift card. Purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/2rtscyhf.

Wine dinner

Joseph’s Restaurant & Bar, 1603 S. Eighth St., is having a wine dinner 7 p.m. Oct. 29. For $120 you get four-courses paired with wines from Greece, France, Austria, and Spain. Call 719-630-3631 for reservations. Visit josephsdining.com.