What Is a Korean Pocha? Meaning, Food & Etiquette
What is a Korean pocha? A pocha is one of Korea’s most recognizable late-night food and drinking experiences — a casual place where people gather around the table, share food, drink soju or beer, and spend time together in a relaxed atmosphere.
The word pocha comes from pojangmacha (포장마차), the traditional covered street stalls that appear after dark and serve everything from spicy chicken feet and rolled omelets to noodles, seafood pancakes and other popular anju dishes.
Today, a Korean pocha does not always mean a literal tent on the street. You’ll also find modern indoor pochas that recreate the same casual, social atmosphere with shared food, soju, beer and late-night energy.
In this guide, you’ll learn what pocha means, the difference between pocha and pojangmacha, what you can expect to find on a typical pocha menu, what Koreans drink there, basic etiquette for first-time visitors, and where you can experience pocha culture in Seoul.