Named after “pocha” – the small, brightly coloured street food stalls found across Korea – Hongdae Pocha dishes up all the delicious, snacky things you might eat on a night out in Seoul.
Think wagyu short rib tucked into crunchy lettuce cups, crispy Korean fried chicken doused in spicy-sweet sauce and ramen fried rice tossed with springy noodles and served upside-down in a Shin Ramyun cup.
Groups gather around the communal BBQ tables, searing pork jowl and soy-braised brisket, while stacking up emerald-green soju bottles – always a sign of a good night out.
Set inside a heritage-listed warehouse in Chippendale, the 170-seat venue still manages to capture the energy of the streets, thanks to neon signage, round grill tables and a lively K-pop soundtrack.
Hongdae Pocha is the latest opening from Vuza Hospitality, the hospo group behind two-hatted Allta and Korean bakery, Buttered.
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Erina Starkey – Erina is the Good Food App Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Previously, Erina held a number of editing roles at delicious.com.au and writing roles at Broadsheet and Concrete Playground.
