Kangnam Pocha is a Korean restaurant at 176 Drury Lane near Covent Garden, inspired by the informal drinking and dining culture of a Korean pocha. The compact room is known for a lively atmosphere, generous portions and late evening service, with lunch offered before an afternoon break. Tables are suited to sharing, especially when food is ordered alongside Korean beer or soju.
Fried chicken is a popular place to begin, with crisp pieces available in original, sweet and spicy or soy based sauces. Kimchi pancake and seafood pancake provide savoury dishes for the centre of the table, while tteokbokki brings chewy rice cakes together with a hot red pepper sauce. Dumplings, noodles and smaller snacks make it easy to add contrasting textures to a larger group order.
Warming stews form another important part of the menu. Gamjatang combines pork bone, potato and deeply seasoned broth, while soft tofu stew offers a gentler texture with a spicy base. Kimchi stew, army stew and bubbling hot pots are especially well suited to colder evenings and communal dining, with rice available to absorb the broth and balance the more intense flavours.
Bibimbap mixes rice with vegetables, sauce and a choice of toppings, while a hot stone bowl adds a crisp layer at the base. Bulgogi, spicy chicken and other grilled meat dishes broaden the selection for diners seeking a substantial main course. Korean beer, soju and soft drinks match the salty, spicy cooking, and the restaurant’s energetic service gives the meal the sociable character suggested by its pocha name.
Address: 176 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5QF, United Kingdom