Trust us, if you love hanging out with friends and telling stories, you’re gonna love a pocha. Sure, you don’t know what a pocha is now, but hopefully this post you will you past that and out into the streets.

About Pocha Culture

If you’ve been in Korea for a while and still haven’t gone to a pocha (포차), it’s time to change that. Like, tonight. Whether you’re new in town, a little shy about Korean nightlife, or just haven’t figured out what all those tent-looking places or small, indoor establishments are about, we’ve got you covered. It’s basically just a Korean pub!

Let’s break it down: What is a pocha? Why do Koreans love them? And what are you supposed to DO there (besides eat everything in sight)?

First of All: What Even Is a Pocha?

“Pocha” is short for pojangmacha (포장마차) which literally translates to “covered wagon,” but don’t expect horses. Back in the day, these were food stalls covered with tarps to block the wind and rain. Now, they’re more like Korea’s answer to the dive bar meets food truck meets neighborhood auntie’s kitchen.

They can be:

• A tent on the sidewalk with plastic chairs and beer crates.
• An indoor restaurant with neon lights and retro K-pop posters.
• A full-on themed experience with fairy lights, campy menus, and TikTok potential.

In Pyeongtaek, we don’t have many outdoor Pocha, thats ok. No matter what they look like, the vibe is the same: cheap drinks, greasy comfort food, and a whole lotta chill.

So… What Do You Do at a Pocha?

Honestly? You hang out. You eat. You drink. You laugh. You bond over soju and spicy food. Often times you even make new friends. It’s where coworkers blow off steam, friends celebrate getting paid, and people cry over breakups while dipping fishcakes in broth.

It’s not fancy. It’s not quiet. It’s definitely not health food.

And that’s exactly why people love it.

You don’t need to know Korean. You don’t need a reservation. You just need an appetite, a sense of humor, and maybe a friend to split the check with.

What’s on the Menu?

Glad you asked. Pocha food is all about anju (안주), which is basically Korean for “snacks designed to be amazing with alcohol.” Think bold flavors, spicy sauces, lots of carbs, and usually a soup bubbling somewhere nearby.

Here’s a crash course in what you might expect, but menus go far beyond this in Pyeongtaek-si:

Dish	Description
떡볶이 (tteokbokki)	Spicy rice cakes. Your gateway drug to Korean comfort food.
오뎅탕 (fishcake soup)	Warm, salty, and soul-hugging. Comes with broth refills.
김치전 / 해물파전	Savory pancakes with kimchi or seafood. Best enjoyed on a rainy day with makgeolli.
닭발 (spicy chicken feet)	For the brave. For the drunk. For the Instagram story.
골뱅이무침	Spicy sea snail salad. Way better than it sounds.
라면 (ramyeon)	Instant noodles, but somehow more magical after 10pm.
튀김	Korean fried snacks. Crispy, greasy, glorious.

And of course, don’t forget the booze:

• 소주 (Soju): Korea’s national spirit.
• 맥주 (Beer): Goes great with fried stuff.
• 소맥 (Somaek): Soju + beer = suddenly very good at karaoke.

Pro Tips for Your First Pocha Visit

Feeling nervous? Don’t worry about it too much, even if no other person there speaks your language, pochas are all about the vibe. Here’s how to look like you know what you’re doing:

• Seat yourself at street pochas. If you’re indoors, someone will likely wave you over.
• Use the call button (or say “저기요!”) when you’re ready to order.
• Point at the menu if you can’t read Hangul. Nobody will judge you.
• Eat family style. One or two big dishes for the table is standard.
• Don’t chug your soju. Sip it like the classy person you are. (Unless someone shouts “원샷!” Then… maybe go for it.)
• Pace yourself. Everything is salty on purpose. You will keep eating and drinking until you forget your Netflix password.

Remember, if restaurants are about food, and bars are about drinks, then pochas are about vibes. The perfect stop for:

• Late-night adventures with friends.
• First dates that don’t feel too serious.
• Solo eats when you just need spicy soup and background noise.
• Getting to know Korea the real Korea, that might be outside your comfort zone.

Typical, Basic Pocha Prices

Here is what to budget for you night out:

Food (Per Dish)

• ₩8,000 – ₩20,000
  Most dishes are meant to be shared. You’ll usually order 1–3 dishes for a group of 2–4 people.
  • Tteokbokki / Odeng-tang / Kimchi jeon: ₩8,000–₩12,000
  • Grilled meats / large stews / seafood dishes: ₩15,000–₩20,000

Alcohol

• Soju (소주): ₩4,000 – ₩6,000 per bottle
• Beer (맥주): ₩4,000 – ₩7,000 per bottle
• Makgeolli (막걸리): ₩5,000 – ₩8,000 per bottle
• Somaek (소맥): Mix your own with soju + beer — cost depends on both

Total Cost Estimate

Here’s a rough idea of what a night at a pocha might cost:

Group Size	Dishes	Drinks	Total Estimate
1 person (small bite + 1 drink)	1 dish	1 bottle	₩12,000 – ₩18,000
2 people	2–3 dishes	2–4 bottles	₩30,000 – ₩50,000
3–4 people	3–4 dishes	4–6 bottles	₩50,000 – ₩80,000

Tip: Street pochas tend to be a little cheaper than indoor ones. Trendy, themed pochas (감성 포차) may be slightly pricier for the ambiance and plating.

Hidden Culture About Ordering

In Korea, alcohol is meant to be enjoyed with food, not by itself. That means, at most pochas in Korea, you are required to order food if you’re drinking alcohol. This is deeply tied to cultural norms of:

• Hospitality
• Health (avoiding drinking on an empty stomach)
• Social harmony

It’s also how pochas make money. Their alcohol is usually cheap, and profits come from selling food, not just drinks.

What Happens If You Don’t Order Food?

• If you try to only order drinks, the server may politely say, “You need to order a dish first.”
• At some pochas, you can’t even order alcohol until you’ve chosen a food item.
• Some menus or walls will say things like: “음식 1개 이상 주문 시 주류 판매 가능”
  (“Alcohol only available with at least one food order”)

How Much Food Do You Need to Order?

• Usually just one dish per group is enough to start.
• Popular easy starters: odeng-tang (fishcake soup), kimchi jeon, or sausage stir-fry.
• You don’t need to order a feast — but don’t skip food entirely.

Reordering Drinks

Once you’ve ordered food, you can freely order more drinks without adding more food. But it’s also normal to order another small anju if you’re staying a long time.

Quick Tip for Newbies

When you sit down and order drinks:
🗣️ Try saying:
“이 집에서 뭐가 제일 맛있어요?”
(“What’s the most delicious dish here?”)

It’s an easy way to follow the rules and get a good recommendation from the staff.

Ready to Go?

To find one near you, open Naver Maps or Kakao Maps and search:

• 포차 추천 = “Pocha recommendations”
• 감성 포차 = Trendy, vibey pochas
• 실내 포차 = Indoor-style pochas (good for beginners)
• 노포 포차 = Old-school, classic joints

Pro tip: If you’re in Pyeongtaek, check near university areas, markets, or nightlife districts like AK Plaza or Seojeong-ri Station.

Pocha Recommendations in Pyeongtaek-si

Also, if you live in Pyeongtaek-si and you want to know where to get started, try one of these and then branch out. We hope you love these spots a much as I do.