Cherry Chews: Reviewing Korean food — Mihyang Unnie Pojangmacha

If you want to experience the vibes of a pojangmacha, the infamous small tent or street stall seen in K-dramas, then this cosy bar restaurant in Hongdae may be for you.

Bars and restaurants line the streets of Hongdae, Seoul. Image: Daesun Kim on Unsplash.

The Mihyang Unnie Pojangmacha, located in South Korea’s capital city of Seoul, is the perfect stop for a late night bite, or a full meal of delicious Korean cuisine. Here are a handful of the dishes on the menu that you should try out if you’re visiting the city!

Stir-fried blood sausage — ‘Sundae’

Stir-fried blood sausage. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Traditionally filled with seonji (blood), minced meat, rice, and vegetables stuffed in pig intestines, Korean blood sausage known as sundae is now more commonly eaten with dangmyeon (glass noodles) instead of rice, and vegetables. This can be eaten steamed, stir fried, or deep fried. And don’t let the blood put you off! It’s a very enjoyable dish, and a snacking must-eat. There are even many different variety fillings depending on which region you go.

Korean potsticker salad — ‘Bibim Mandu’

Korean potsticker salad. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Think bibimbap, but rather than mixed rice, it’s mixed mandu (Korean dumplings). This dish from Mihyang Unnie Pojangmacha is the perfect snack or appetiser; it’s crunchy from the fresh salad and crispy pan-fried mandu, and is coated with a tangy, spicy sauce.

Kimchi Pancake

Kimchi pancake. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Who hasn’t heard of this classic Korean food? A savoury pancake that’s crispy on the outside, but chewy on the inside, with a spicy kick from the kimchi. There are so many different types of pancake, but let me tell you, pajeon (scallion pancake) paired with makgeolli (rice wine) on a rainy day is a truly Korean experience enjoyed by all generations.

Fries

Fries. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Fries are a universal go-to snack when drinking and in Korea it’s no different. And how could anyone say no to the way they are served at Mihyang Unnie Pojangmacha, hot and crisp with a Kakao Ryan dipping sauce — a combination of ketchup and mayonnaise?

Other items on the menu in the bar restaurant included ramyeon and stew, and it’s good to note that this place is open until 3am, so you can eat and drink the night away!

Address:

미향언니포장마차

서울특별시 마포구 와우산로29바길 18 (서교동지1층)

18 Wausan-ro 29ba-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Edited by Gabii Rayner.