Today, I want to share with you the real pocha experiences I enjoyed in Korea. This isn’t just about learning recipes of anju(Korean bar food), it’s about bringing Korean bar culture into your home and experiencing it together.
Table of Contents
What is Pocha?
In Korea, a pocha is short for “pojangmacha 포장마차”, which originally referred to small street stalls where people enjoyed drinks and foods. Nowadays, you can also find indoor Korean bars featuring retro-style plastic chairs and tables and soft lighting that makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a nostalgic alleyway.
Here, drinks and snacks come together in a casual, affordable, free-spirited atmosphere where you can laugh, chat, and relax with friends. A pocha is more than just a bar, it’s a place filled with the small joys of everyday Korean life and the warmth of people. Tonight, bring the cozy, nostalgic vibe of a Korean bar into your home with your friends.
What is Anju?
In Korea, drinking always comes with foods, the dishes served alongside alcohol. Anju(Korean bar food) isn’t just a side dish. It plays an essential role in the drinking experience. In fact, what you drink with is just as important as the alcohol itself.
Different Korean drinks pair well with different Korean anju(bar food) and part of the fun is choosing the right combination based on your mood and the weather. Soju goes well with Korean barbecue or a hot stew, makgeolli pairs perfectly with jeon on a rainy day, and beer is best enjoyed with crispy Korean fried chicken. Tonight, gather your friends and enjoy the perfect harmony of anju and Korean drinks at home.
Pocha Night at Home
Bring the lively atmosphere of a Korean pocha (bar) straight to your home. With tasty anju recipes, entertaining drinking games, and Korean bar playlists, you’re guaranteed a good time. Dim the lights, play the K-pop playlist, pour each other soju, and dive into endless games. Experience how Korean drinking etiquette brings everyone closer.
In Korea, conversations bloom over drinks. Tonight, you’ll open up, laugh harder, and grow closer with friends. It’s a night of memories you’ll never forget.
What’s in the ‘Korean Pocha Night’ Set
3 Trendy Korean Anju Recipes
This set includes three delicious and trendy Korean anju recipes, perfectly portioned for a group of four. With these dishes, your drinking night will be full of flavor and fun.
Fried Bossam & Lettuce Geotjeori (보쌈 튀김 & 상추 겉절이)
To make bossam, pork is simmered until it is juicy and tender. Then, it is transformed into crispy fried bossam with an amazingly crunchy coating. It’s paired with lettuce geotjeori, a fresh Korean-style salad tossed in a spicy and tangy dressing. The combination of savory fried pork and refreshing salad makes it an ideal bar food.
The recommended Korean drink pairing is cold beer or somaek (a cocktail of soju and beer). In this Korean bar night set, you’ll also learn how to make the perfect somaek—the ultimate Korean cocktail!
After dozens of tests, this recipe was perfected to create the crispiest texture without using tempura flour, so it’s easy to recreate anywhere in the world. You can also use the same frying method to make Korean fried chicken, which makes this a versatile recipe you’ll love.
Shrimp Pajeon 새우 파전
This is a crispy Korean green onion pancake packed with juicy shrimp. With secret ingredients that maximizes crunch, this Korean pancake recipe delivers an unbeatable texture. The fragrant flavor and crisp bite of green onions pair perfectly with the springy texture of shrimp, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The crispy pancake batter can also be used with different fillings to make other kinds of savory pancakes.
The recommended Korean drink pairing is makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine. In Korea, there’s a long-standing tradition of enjoying pajeon with makgeolli. The subtle fizz and tangy flavor of makgeolli balance beautifully with the richness of the pancake.
Cheese Jeyuk Bokkeum 치즈 제육볶음
This dish features spicy stir-fried pork in gochujang sauce, enjoyed by dipping it into melted cheese like a fondue. The spicy-sweet seasoning is perfectly balanced by the rich, creamy cheese, creating an irresistible pairing.
The recommended drink is soju. The strong yet slightly sweet flavor of soju balances and softens the heat of the dish, bringing everything into harmony.
Ingredient Substitutions for Worldwide Availability
To make these recipes easy to follow anywhere in the world, we’ve included alternative ingredients you can use outside of Korea. No matter where you are, delicious food is something you should be able to enjoy.
4 Fun Korean Drinking Games
Have you heard “APT” by Rosé of BLACKPINK? It’s actually based on a famous Korean drinking game. Korea has countless games that make drinking gatherings even more fun.
With this Korean bar night set, you can learn four easy-to-play Korean drinking games. No props are needed—just you and your friends! With these games, any gathering can instantly turn into a party!
16 Question Starters for Heart-to-Heart Conversations
The true heart of a Korean drinking night is deep conversation.
In Korea, this moment is called “Jindae Time,” short for “Jinjihan Daehwa Time” (serious conversation time). During Jindae Time, people speak honestly, connect on a deeper level, and strengthen their relationships.
I’ve gathered 16 conversation starters inspired by the topics Koreans often discuss over drinks. Tonight, let’s open our hearts and create moments that bring us closer together.
Korean Drinking Etiquette
In Korea, drinking etiquette is more formal than in many other countries. People often judge someone’s character based on how they behave during their first drinking session, whether with coworkers or friends.
This Korean Pocha Night Set will guide you through essential Korean drinking etiquette so you won’t make any missteps. When enjoying Korean alcohol, be sure to experience it alongside Korea’s unique drinking culture and manners.
Common Korean Phrases Used During Drinking Nights
Here are some phrases that Koreans often use during drinking nights at Korean bars. Learn some Korean in a fun way while enjoying a memorable and meaningful time!
K-pop Playlist Like You’re in a Pocha
At Korean Korean bars, K-pop always plays loudly in the background. This Korean Pocha Night Set includes a K-pop playlist that I made. It makes you feel like you’re actually at a Korean bar. Play to recreate the authentic atmosphere! Updated regularly!
Grocery List to Easily Check Your Ingredients
On the last page, you’ll find a handy grocery list so you can easily check off items while shopping. Enjoy the excitement of preparing delicious anju as you tick off each ingredient!
Another Cookbook by Blonde Kimchi
A Korean dosirak recipe book that shares my know-how on how I lost 20kg. Get healthier every day with just one lunchbox meal!