NISKAYUNA — Briana Lin made the journey from Nanping, China to Latham, New York in 2009, seeking employment as a waitress and bartender at her uncle’s restaurant. Eventually, she took over the business after his retirement.
“When I arrived in the United States, it seemed like everyone around me was working in restaurants. I wasn’t sure what other options I had,” recalled Lin.
Last month, after 14 years in Latham, Lin opened her sixth restaurant in the Capital region. Volcano Asian BBQ and Hot Pot offers customers a unique dining experience with a single table equipped with both a grill and a hot pot. The menu features thinly sliced steak, lamb, and pork belly for the hot pot, as well as Angus ribeye, Korean beef bulgogi, and Chinese chili char siu pork for the grill. Seafood options include clams for the hot pot, chili salmon and oyster for the grill, and shrimp, calamari, and snapper for both. In addition, a variety of vegetables are available to enhance the flavors of the hot pot and complement the grilled meats.
For those who are new to the Asian BBQ experience, Volcano provides recommended cooking times for each side of the meat on their menu. The hot pot meal begins with customers choosing from seven soup options, such as Sichuan Spicy, Japanese miso, and Thai Tom Yum. Noodles and rice can also be enjoyed with the hot pot. Ready-to-eat options, including edamame, sweet potato tempura, and vegetable spring rolls, are also available.
The restaurant that Lin took over in the early 2000s was Yang’s Asian Bistro in Latham, which offers a diverse menu of Chinese, Thai, and Japanese dishes. Since then, Lin has opened several Japanese-focused establishments, including Kobe Hibachi Japanese Cuisine in 2016, T-Swirl Japanese Crepe in 2018, and Azuma Sushi Bistro in 2019.
During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lin faced staffing challenges as some employees were hesitant to work. However, being able to offer takeout service with Asian cuisine helped mitigate the impact.
In 2021, Lin expanded her Malta-based Azuma Sushi Bistro to include a hibachi section and an outdoor patio. Additionally, she opened SAWA Sushi Bistro in Glenmont.
At all of Lin’s establishments, her husband, a sushi chef, works alongside her, while her son assists during the summer months. The name “Volcano” was inspired by their favorite restaurant in Orlando, Florida, called Volcano Hot Pot & BBQ, which they have visited multiple times. Lin cherishes the connection between the names and the fond memories it brings.
With the opening of Volcano, Lin aims to introduce and share China’s beloved hot pot culture, which dates back thousands of years and remains popular today.
“Hot pot is my absolute favorite food,” Lin enthusiastically shared.
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