The pojang macha is practically an institution—nearly every Korean has fond memories of sitting on rickety plastic chairs and throwing back soju and street food at these ubiquitous stalls. Hanshin Pocha (short for pojang macha) recreates the nostalgic nights when college students in the 80s would hang out at the pojang macha tent city near Hanshin Apartments in Jamwon-dong. Hanshin Pocha’s owner is a minor celebrity in his own right, as the successful food industry CEO and newly-wed husband to a Korean actress, and the crowds are his pocha are a testament to both his popularity and the restaurant’s quality.
Once you get your seats, settle in with a group of friends to order plates of fried seafood and ddeokbokki and, if you like your food with a kick, get the spicy chicken feet. There’s plenty of space for large groups (unlike the old pojang macha, this indoors spot has high ceilings, large tables and an open kitchen). The vibe at Hanshin Pocha is young and full of energy—we even hear it turns into a bit of a mingling hot spot on the weekends, earning the nickname “Hunting Pocha.”