Are you looking for a great Korean restaurant in Barcelona? Try Pocha. It is number one on my list.
Barcelona’s diverse cuisine is a benefit of living here. Here, you can find some amazing restaurants to eat local and world food.
Pocha, located in Eixample, a cradle of fabulous eateries (like Thierry’s oyster bar or Ugot bruncherie), is one of them.
Although I have not gone to Korea, I imagine the food there to be fun, pretty and delicious. I have eaten Korean food in Barcelona in different restaurants. Pocha is the one I ever go back to.
I have been here a number of times, and each time was a fantastic experience.
Book your table and enjoy
You can eat inside or on the terrace
First and foremost, if you want to eat in Pocha, make a reservation because the place is small and popular. It is difficult to get a table when you walk in, especially in a group.
I once ate downstairs, where the decor was sober, with dark walls and a few tables. It was my first time here. An Asian girl was eating with chopsticks, enjoying her food on her own. Something about the scene made me feel transported somewhere in Asia.
The other times, I booked a table on the terrace, well, in the streets, but that was fine. It is usual in Barcelona.
Tip: In groups, you can try more dishes
Of course, you can come alone, I have. Or with another person only. I also have.
Most time though, I have come with a group of friends because, hey, the more, the merrier. But also because then you can share and try several dishes.
The dishes are generous. It is hard to get through some of them on your own.
Sampling the best Korean restaurant in Barcelona
When we sat down
The menu
The menu is colourful and displays pictures of each plate. It makes it easier to choose. The last time we came, the menu was slightly different, with new dishes. Better. We get to discover even more dishes.
Our drinks
We begin by ordering drinks: two Korean beers for the guys, one glass of red wine for my friend and a Korean cocktail, “So! Berry breeze”, for me.
I love its smoothness and the red fruit taste that comes with it.
Our order
Then we order one dish each to share, one plate of jumukbab (rice with seaweed – so simple and yet so tasty) and a bowl of white rice to accompany them.
A welcome salad
We first received a (small) welcome salad to share. It was a tasty teaser of what is to come with a crisp sweet and sour dressing.
Then, the dishes arrive one by one, beautifully presented. We devour them with our eyes before tucking in with our chopsticks.
Kalbi, fried chicken, rice pasta and beef
I don’t have a favourite dish here because everything is yummy. Really…
We had Kalbi (a pork dish), yum. Yangñum chicken (fried chicken with potato chips), yum yum. Rose Tokpokki (rice pasta with cream and spicy seafood) and bulgogi (beef served with a raw yolk) – a classic in Korean food – yum yum yum.
We experienced a variety of flavours: sweet, savoury, spicy and textures: soft, chewy, creamy, and crispy. The food is definitely not boring. We got greedy and ordered a second dish of Kalbi. It was not necessary. It was even kinda too much. But that was on us. One dish per person was more than fine to feel satisfied.
I would like to make a special mention of the “Anchoa”. It is made with anchovy, rice and seaweed. I tried to reproduce it at home. I could not quite obtain the subtle flavour coming from the anchovy (much less salty than the one you buy in markets) and rice combination you get in Pocha. But it left a memorable imprint in my memories.
A terrific food experience
The overall food experience was terrific. The owner, a very smiley lady offered us a shot of soju apologising profusely for not having been too present during the evening. No need.
The service was very nice as usual and we had nothing to complain about. The contrary. But the gesture was greatly appreciated and the shot too :).
Then the bill comes. We pay 13 euros on average for one dish. For us, it is more than ok.
Instagram Pocha: Pocha
Website: Pocha Asian dining & bar
C/ de Provença, 224, 08036 Barcelona