Following the demise of Centre Point’s ‘Korea Town’ in the wake of the Crossrail development, some of its restaurants have relocated to the suburbs. Much-loved Pocha has resurfaced in the shell of an old curry house not far from Waterloo station – although the interior is still pretty basic (think bar wood-panelled walls, functional furniture etc).
Pocha’s original site was all about authentic food at knock-down prices and nothing seems to have changed – judging by the extensive laminated menu. Soups, salads, bibimbap hotpots, rice plates, noodles and BBQ specialities are the mainstays, all pungently pointed up by kimchi and other fiery accompaniments. Try the rice cakes with a couple of steamed eggs, the sticky fried chicken with a topping of grated cheese (a Korean favourite, we’re told) or fried squid with bulgogi beef in spicy sauce.
Apart from a couple of French wines, Coke and a few other soft options, the short drinks list is Korean to the core – so expect Hite beer, cucumber soju, plum wine and cold green tea, as well as ‘chung ha’ (Korea’s answer to saké).