Gangnam Pocha

Taking over the Bourke Street front where Alexander’s Grill once sat, Gangnam Pocha serves up Korean “street food” — served in somewhat more comfortable surrounds than the side of the road.

They’re certainly capitalising on the Psy phenomenon here; from plasma screens playing a constant stream of K-pop, to the fact that the singer’s image has been used in the logo (whether this convenes any licensing regulations is another matter). In any case, they’re going gangbusters on Urbanspoon right now.

Novelty aside, Gangnam Pocha actually serves up some pretty fantastic Korean food. I started with the beef bulgogi dup bab (medium $7.8/large $9), which came with a heap of moorish, thinly-sliced fried beef on a bed of greens, sticky white rice and a side of fried tofu with kimchi. It was so hot and full flavoured I immediately wanted to order more (but resisted on account of trying to remain ladylike). Impressed.

Other highlights include the hot-stone bibimbap ($13.8) and the Gangnam baguette — a bread roll crammed with bulgogi marinated meat or spicy pork ($7.8/$9 with chips). Restaurant manager Kevin informed me it’s “very popular with Western tastes.”

Despite the music playing in the background, nobody expects you to dance Gangnam Style here, so fortunately I was saved from being mistaken for an awkward gazelle experiencing an epileptic fit.

GANGNAM POCHA
141 Bourke Street, Melbourne
9078 8882
Mon – Thu: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri 11:30 am – 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Sat 5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Sun 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
facebook.com/Gangnampocha.mel