Annyeong! 88 Pocha is a Pojangmacha 포장마차 (Pocha 포차) that opened at Holland Village at the Lor Mambong stretch.
There is another outlet at Kovan.
Modern Pojangmacha (which translates to “covered wagon”) seems to be quite trending of late in Singapore, for K-food lovers to grab hearty Korean specialities, street food style items, and a drink or two.
By the way, 88 Pocha is opened in collaboration with Mago Korean Beauty Salon upstairs, so you can always check out their hair and beauty treatments at the same time.
In case you get some “Reply 1988” vibes here, that is because 88 Pocha takes inspiration from the 1988 Seoul Olympics Games in terms of its design.
The décor is straightforward yet eye-catching, featuring bright red and green signboards with the café’s name and images of the Olympic mascot, Hodori, the tiger.
(Remember to take a selfie with Hodori.)
Embracing the essence of a Pojangmacha, 88 Pocha is a laidback 50-seater space with indoor and covered outdoor seating.
In quintessential blue and red plastic tables, chairs, and stools help maintain the authenticity of the eatery, this can be the ideal spot for a casual meal or a drink with friends and work colleagues.
88 Pocha’s Korean chef, a long-time resident of Singapore, understands the country’s liking for Korean street food and thus aims to introduce and popularise the concept of Pojangmacha among local gourmands.
As such, the menu covers a limited yet eclectic selection of South Korean style street food.
Interesting, the food menu at 88 Pocha is priced by 5 alphabetical tiers, mainly A ($8.88), B ($11.88), C ($15.88), D ($18.88), and E ($28.88).
You can find a range from Pork Kimchi Stew, Korean Fried Chicken, Corn Cheese Spicy Ramyeon, Spicy Tofu Ramyeon to Tteokkochi to enjoy throughout the day.
Look out for popular Korean favourites such as Kimchi Pancake, Tonkatsu with Rice & Salad, Mackerel Kimchi Stew; as well as 88 Pocha’s speciality highball cocktail concoctions on tap.
Check out the following 10 recommendations at 88 Pocha, for the best of Korean Street Food with a twist:
Army Stew ($28.88)
The Army Stew or Budae Jjigae is an all-encompassing Korean hot pot dish with a few American elements that originated during the Korean War.
The filling and loaded spicy concoction consists of hot dogs, spam, instant noodles, tofu, kimchi, baked beans, and other such elements.
The broth, made using gochujang (Korean chilli paste), soy sauce, and various condiments, is slow-cooked over the flame, allowing the flavours of each individual component to amalgamate thoroughly.
While robust in its taste, the Army Stew also had a spicy buzz that would wake up and invigorate the taste buds.
Oden Soup ($18.88)
Oden Soup is a hearty and often underrated soup, and is not that common to find in Singapore.
The dish’s full-bodied flavour results from simmering the broth (made with bonito flakes and kelp) for a lengthy period and adding ingredients such as fish cakes and daikon radish.
A comforting dish, Oden Soup, comes on the table in a kettle and is placed on a flame, so it stays warm until you finish the last spoonful.
Korean Fried Chicken ($15.88 for half, $28.88 for whole)
These crunchy chicken pieces, slathered with a sticky and spicy yangnyeom chilli sauce with a hint of sweetness, were succulently juicy.
Tteokbokki ($11.88)
The dish to order for spicy food lovers, Tteokbokki consists of garae-tteok, small and white cylindrical-shaped rice cakes alongside Korean fish cakes.
Served fresh in a fiery sauce with an ever-so-slight sweetness and garlicky undertones, the rice cakes had a chewy and soft texture.
Sausage Gimbap ($11.88)
The Sausage Gimbap is a large-sized rice roll with sliced sausages in the middle, rolled with seaweed.
The taste was a delicious mix of the sesame oil’s nuttiness, saltiness from the seaweed, and the sausage’s savoury meatiness.
Truffle Jjajang Ramyeon ($11.88)
Among the favourites of many is Jjajangmyeon, a dry Korean-Chinese noodle dish flavoured with thick black bean sauce.
88 Pocha gives the famous recipe its own twist in the Truffle Jjajang Ramyeon.
This rendition adds earthiness to the noodles through truffle oil and pairs them with a sunny-side-up and pickled cucumber for an earthy and savoury taste.
Tuna Cheese King Egg Roll ($15.88)
The Korean-style Egg Roll Gyeran Mari tends to be on the savoury side compared to the mildly sweet Japanese tamagoyaki.
This had a soft texture and a moderately crispy exterior, along with tuna and cheese fillings. I did wish for the egg to have more flavours.
The melted cheese was component that gives the roll a delectable creamy character.
LA Galbi ($28.88 for 14 pcs)
The thinly cut grilled beef short ribs differ from standard galbi in how they are cut through the bone and not alongside it.
The meat is thus quicker to grill and showcases its boldness on the palate, achieved mainly by the sweet and savoury sauce used to marinate it.
Once barbequed, the ribs were finger-licking succulent.
Red Bean Bingsu ($12.88)
Pandering to those with a sweet tooth, 88 Pocha also offers summer treats of Korean Bingsu, such as Red Bean Bingsu ($12.88) and Sweet Tomato Bingsu ($12.88).
The Red Bean Bingsu is the ever-so-popular Korean-style shaved ice dessert topped with sweetened red beans, condensed milk, and other tasty embellishments like fruit, nuts, and mochi.
While the ice gave the dessert a refreshing character, the condensed milk made it sweet and creamy.
To help wash down the food, 88 Pocha offers cocktails like Earl Grey and Blue Lemonade Highball, bottled beers, canned non-alcoholic drinks, and makgeolli (Korean rice liquor).
This ensures every beverage preference is catered for, whether day or night. Daebak!
88 Pocha
26A Lor Mambong Singapore 277685 (Holland Village)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 12am (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 11pm (Sat – Sun)
957 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534717
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 12am (Mon – Sun)
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with 88 Pocha.
admin
See Full Bio