If you weren’t already inspired by Chef Mike Lee’s accolades at M Sushi and M Tempura, try M Pocha for Korean street food or M Kokko as a tiny chicken-focused comfort food spot. Pocha is short for Pojanmacha in Korea, translated to a "Tented Cart on Wheels," that serves street food with drinks. Over the years, Pojanmacha has developed more into a brick-and-mortar style with a similar feel to that of a Japanese-style izakaya. Quite simply, it is a place that serves food and dishes to enjoy while drinking, mostly served tapas-style as dishes that are meant to be shared with others.
M Pocha is a vibrant celebration of Asian-inspired street foods that will transport your taste buds straight to the bustling night markets of Asia. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere of the place hits you—the sleek, modern decor combined with the inviting warmth of the staff with aroma of flavorful dishes.
What makes M Pocha truly special is its focus on the best of Asian street food with a contemporary twist. The menu is an exciting array of small, shareable plates, allowing you to dive into a variety of street food favorites, each with its own unique spin. The Korean fried chicken is a standout—crispy, juicy, and coated in a perfect balance of sweet and spicy sauce that will have you reaching for more with every bite.
My ultimate favorite was the bao buns are another must-try, featuring soft steamed buns filled with flavorful fillings like crispy pork. Each bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors, with the richness of the meat balanced by the bright freshness of the pickled vegetables.
The drink menu at M Pocha is just as exciting, with a mix of craft cocktails.
M Pocha truly captures the essence of Asian street food, blending the energy and creativity of street vendors with the quality and care of fine dining. The dishes are bold, exciting, and bursting with flavor, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the vibrant tastes of Asia right here in Durham.
NSA
Oct 24, 2024
4
4.5 really.
food was quite tasty, I recommend the octopus karaage
place is tight, recommend a reservation
negative 0.5 since some of our food took a while to come, and cause it was so loud in there it was hard to hear each other.
parking is street parking no private lot.
Daniel Perry
Aug 4, 2024
5
M Pocha is amazing. Every dish was super creative and flawlessly executed. We just kept ordering more and more small plates because everything we got was better than the last dish. They even made me a birthday plate!
I recommend booking a reservation for the counter. The Main Street people watching is fun while drinking sake and knocking out small plates with friends.
chanmyae hanthar
Jul 10, 2024
5
It was really good we got army stew, papya salad, chicken karaage, and shrimp burgers. really fancy dinner the server was so nice. Please make sure to have reservations if you are doing out unless you have to wait like 30/40mins when it’s really busy
ska
Jun 25, 2024
5
M Pocha was a fun, tasty experience.
The space is quite quaint. There is a long, central, picnic style table in the middle, then the windows are lined with bar like seating, and, I believe, there is some outdoor seating. It's not too loud, but it is a cozy fit.
The food was such a delight. I came with a party of 5 and tried:
1. Brussel Sprouts
2. Gai Lan (chinese broccoli)
3. Chicken Karaage
4. Spicy Por Buns
5. Nasi Goreng
6. Budae Jigae
Don't sleep on the Gai Lan. All the food was scrumptious; but the Gai Lan stole the show. It had no business being that good!
Tip: After you finish the broccoli, order a side of rice and mix it in with the left over sauce. It becomes a dish on its own.
The service was great!
Puja
Dec 21, 2023
5
The drinks and food were great! Spice level and seasoning was perfect for us. Wish there was more tofu in the drunken noodles but the flavor was great! They were able to accommodate for a nut allergy. They had enough vegetarian options but one more veg entree would be nice for variety! We will def be coming back and are excited to try other m restaurants.
