Mapo Pocha

What is Mapo Pocha? Located at 680 Bloor Street West where The Annex transitions into Koreatown, Mapo Pocha delivers the electric buzz of Seoul's late-night pojangmacha tent culture. Founded by restaurateur Becky Zheng in honour of her grandmother's roots in Seoul's Mapo district, the dining room pairs floral-canopied ceilings with glowing neon accents and retro market murals. Wooden booths and communal tables fill up quickly under upbeat K-pop beats, catering to lively night owls and social drinking circles.

Mapo Pocha Menu & What to Order Designed around anju (drinking food), the menu spans sizzling cast-iron comfort snacks, spicy soups, and multi-tier steamed platters. Essential table orders include the indulgent bubbling corn cheese blanketed in melted mozzarella, fresh yuk hoe (seasoned beef tartare), and hinoki wood-steamed beef brisket layered over greens. Cool down the spice with signature carafes of house-infused pineapple or yogurt soju, served in specialty iced bottles that stay frosty while you feast.

Know Before You Go The room operates primarily on walk-ins and hits maximum capacity after 9:00 p.m., especially on Friday and Saturday nights when service runs until 3:00 a.m. Seating is best suited for parties of two to four, so larger groups should plan to arrive close to doors opening. Transit is effortless with Christie subway station just a short stroll away along Bloor.