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A simple yet unique culinary culture of Korea lies within the Pojangmacha tents - the epicenter of South Korea's street food culture.
Pojangmacha – Where Dining Culture Thrives
Stepping out onto any street in this country at night, you're bound to come across a Pojangmacha.
The sight of these tents at street corners has become familiar through Korean films, representing the essence of the country's street food culture. Known as Pojangmacha, these tarpaulin tents in vivid orange and green, waterproof and eye-catching, are more than meets the eye. Their simple exterior hides a culinary paradise within, offering a variety of delicious street food delights.
These makeshift tents can be seen as Korean-style fast-food stalls where customers can either stand and eat or take their orders away.
Pojangmacha is divided into various types. Some primarily sell snacks like spicy rice cakes tteokbokki, skewered fried fish odeng with warm broth, a plethora of tempura including potato, shrimp, pumpkin, and blood sausage soondae... While others serve as hangout spots for drinkers, offering signature beverages like soju or traditional rice wine. The latter seems more popular and favored in South Korea because what could be more delightful than sitting by hot food carts after work, in the chilly weather, enjoying some liquor, chatting with friends, colleagues.
No guest is turned away at Pojangmacha.
Discover Pojangmacha – Where Street Food Reigns Supreme
People often wonder what dishes are served at Pojangmacha. It's simple – they are the beloved traditional Korean dishes. They don't have to be expensive; each dish here is very affordable because they are meant to cater to various social classes, from ordinary workers to the wealthy, from schoolchildren to office workers. They all come to these tents to enjoy some favorite dishes or to socialize over some soju and a comforting bowl of noodles.
A portion of tteokbokki looks incredibly enticing with its vibrant colors, especially the fiery red of the chili sauce, which is the main highlight and characteristic of the dish.
If tteokbokki is about chewy white rice cakes, round and evenly cut, drenched in vibrant red chili sauce, sticky and spicy, accompanied by kimchi, half an egg, sausage, spring onions, and thinly sliced pork or beef... then skewered fried fish Odeng brings the distinctive salty taste of sea fish. You can't wait for the fish cake to cool completely before enjoying it because when it's cold, it's not as delicious; fish cakes must be eaten hot, while blowing on them, savoring them, taking a sip of the broth, a flavor that can't be compared to any other sauce.
The interior space of each Pojangmacha isn't overly large, just enough to accommodate a few tables and chairs for guests and carts for cooking.
As the evening sets in and the city lights up, it's also the time when Pojangmacha pubs eagerly open their doors to welcome guests. A common feature of Pojangmacha pubs is the sense of intimacy and warmth under the dim, magical lights. Stepping into a Pojangmacha on a cold winter day, travelers can distinctly feel the warmth emanating from hot food, the enticing aroma tantalizing their hungry stomachs.
For Koreans, dining at Pojangmacha has become a habit, an indispensable cultural trait.
The allure of these tented pubs also attracts foreign visitors. In your journey to explore South Korea, don't forget to wander one evening, stop by a roadside eatery, and indulge in some delicious commoner's dishes to feel closer to this place than ever before.
Right here in Hanoi, the first authentic Korean pub in Vietnam – bringing to life the Pojangmacha pub model from Korea. You and your drinking buddies can partake in lively gatherings with a diverse menu of beer, liquor, and snacks, partying it up with your comrades in a quintessential Korean drinking atmosphere. It's all at Buk Buk!
Buk Buk – reviving the authentic Korean Pojangmacha pub style
So what are you waiting for? It's time to grab your wallet and head out, Buk Buk is always ready to welcome you!
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