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Pocha Korean Restaurant: Seoul Street Food in Johannesburg
A taste of Seoul in Parkhurst
On 4th Avenue in Parkhurst, Pocha Korean Restaurant captures the magic of a night out in Seoul. The name Pocha comes from Pojangmacha, the casual, tent-style eateries that dot Korea’s streets. These spots are loved for their late-night energy, affordable food, and easy company. They are where friends wind down after work and strangers become drinking buddies over shared plates and cold beer.
In Johannesburg, that same spirit comes alive at Pocha. The restaurant has become a go-to for those who crave comfort food with flavour, fun, and a side of nightlife. It’s not a stiff dining experience; it’s the kind of place where laughter bounces off the walls and tables are quickly filled with plates of sizzling chicken, steaming bowls, and chopsticks clicking away.
Fried chicken at the heart of it all
The signature dish here is, without doubt, the Korean fried chicken. Double-fried for an unbeatable crunch and coated in sauces that range from sweet garlic to tongue-tingling chilli, it has built its own fan base in Joburg. Diners often say the portions are generous enough to share, although many prefer not to.
Social media has played its part in spreading the word. Local foodies often post glossy shots of golden chicken wings, sometimes paired with soju or beer, which is the classic Korean way to enjoy them. These posts have positioned Pocha as more than just a restaurant but as a social trend in Parkhurst.
Beyond chicken: the street food feast
The menu reads like a tour through Korea’s street markets. Starters such as potato pancakes and tofu kimchi bring comfort with every bite. Honey butter garlic chips take something as simple as fries and give them a sweet-savoury spin, while the sotteok sotteok of sausage and chewy rice cakes is playful and satisfying.
For those after something heartier, Pocha doesn’t hold back. Rice dishes range from vegetarian fried rice to kimchi fried rice, packed with tangy flavour. Soups like the spicy chicken broth, loaded with gochugaru chilli flakes, have earned fans during Joburg’s colder months. And then there are the noodles: from the dark, savoury jjajangmyeon to the fiery buldak noodles, each one delivers the depth of flavour Korean cuisine is known for.
Image 1: pochajhb.co.za
Why Joburgers are hooked
Johannesburg has always had an appetite for global flavours, and the rise of Korean culture worldwide has only deepened that interest. From K-pop concerts filling arenas to K-dramas trending on streaming platforms, South Africans have embraced the Korean wave. Pocha is part of that story, bringing something tangible and delicious to the mix.
What makes it stand out locally is not just the food but the way it blends seamlessly with Joburg culture. Parkhurst is already a hotspot for nightlife, and Pocha gives the area something fresh: a place that is casual enough for snacks after a night out but exciting enough for a full dinner with friends. It offers a piece of cultural exchange, one plate at a time.
The takeaway
Pocha is more than a restaurant. It’s a piece of Seoul’s streetside soul brought into the heart of Johannesburg. With every crunchy wing, steaming bowl, or shared plate of noodles, it recreates the joy of gathering and eating together. Whether you’re chasing a late-night snack or sitting down for a spread that could feed a table, Pocha guarantees you’ll leave with a story to tell and a craving to return.
Also read: Slurping Through Midrand: A Deep Dive Into Noodle Nerdz’s Asian Eats
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Source: pochajhb.co.za
Featured Image: Instagram/@pochajhb
