We stumbled upon Pocha 32 for a late night 4th meal following a night of karaoke and it hit the spot! The restaurant has a large open seating which is great for groups. We had a group of 6 and they had no problem accommodating us for a late meal. We ordered the kimchi fried rice, loaded French fries, soy garlic wings and spicy wings and everything was so good! They had good vibes too with good music playing in the background. Pocha 32 has us rethinking our usual Korean fried chicken spot so that's a good sign! We'll definitely be back!

Very busy (took a while to get in despite the reservations)... but once we got in it was worth it. Went for late night food after a broadway show. Got the Watermelon and pineapple soju based on a big recommendation from a friend (yum) and also Korean bbq beef and Pork stir fry.

The ambience reminds you of a fisherman's shop. Getting seated was very quick and the staff is very attentive. I would have appreciated some banchan (side dishes) to build up an appetite before deciding what to order but there wasn't any that was complimentary. I had the chance to order the squid soondae, seafood pancake and melon soju. Seafood pancake had a generous amount of shrimp and squid. Squid soondae was offered as a whole squid and our waiter gave us a complimentally rice ball which was nice. Overall, it was a positive experience and I would suggest bringing a sharpie to leave small memories in their walls.

Come for the netted ceiling, flashing lights for your birthday and fun fruit drinks. The Soju is probably the most eye catching in the different fruit serving vessels. They give bowls to ladle it into. The green honeydew is served with a creamy melon ice pop that intensifies the flavor. These are sweet and delicious. The bulgogi is served with a generous portion for sharing. Staff is always very friendly. The location is small and they now take reservations. We walked in and were immediately seated on a Tuesday night. I'd call ahead for a weekend spot!

This spot is definitely one of the most happening. The stairwell was packed when we arrived for 6:15 and left at 8:30p on a Friday. We got a reservation for three people about five days before. Mostly young women in the restaurant, interestingly, and definitely a spot for groups. It's quite loud, but the mood is chipper and fun. The menu is pretty straightforward - you can't go wrong. (Though our waiter dissuaded us from getting the wings. He said they would be too hot for us. I guess we'll never know.) We loved the seafood jungol and jeon. Portions are generous. Obviously, you should get the watermelon soju drink, if anything for the pictures. Sometimes the line for the bathroom starts extending into the main space, which is awkward. If you wish, walk to the back for the second bathroom, which is designated as a women's bathroom. That will keep the line moving! Fun time.

I enjoy going to pocha because they stay open late. They're famous for their fruit soju, with flavors like watermelon, pineapple, and honeydew, which I find quite good. After a late night, I often come here for their seafood stew, which includes ramen, mushrooms, spam, and kimchi--it's really comforting. The eel and pig's trotter are also excellent, while the seafood pancake, though tasty, can be a bit too oily for my liking. It can get busy during peak dinner hours, so there might be a wait. The prices are reasonable, and a fun touch is that you can grab a marker to write or draw on the walls to leave a memory.

Like many neighborhoods in NYC, the stretch of 32nd St in Manhattan's KTown (#1) has changed so much over the years that it's morphed from a nightlife haven to a bonafide tourist hub. However, it's places like Pocha 32 that represent a different time and is a keen reminder that maybe some things remain the same. This place is a source of nostalgia for yours truly, a place I've spent many lunches and late nights, feasting and drinking with the best. The iconic orange hanging banner, the narrow walk up to the 2nd floor still thrilled me today. It's not everyone's cup of tea: it's dingy, cramped, and the bathrooms are unsightly. The interior is intimate and dimly lit, with polaroid photo walls and net draped ceilings filled with soju caps. There is usually some kind of Korean music playing in the background and groups of folks sitting down and enjoying drinks and food all in harmony. Their most famous dish here is probably budaejigae (#2) and Pocha 32 was my first foray into what has become of my favorite dishes in the cuisine. I've sampled so many, but their version is one I think about all the time. The hot pot (jungol) version was the perfect meal during the cold winter nights and the culmination of hot dogs, cheese, instant noodles, rice cakes, spam, with a helping of cabbage, zucchini topped off with spinach was a satisfying, hearty meal and the one of the best hangover cures. The additional helpings of fried mandoo dumplings, cheese griddled corn, and their haemool pajun seafood pancake made our meals extra filling. I never completely understood why their pancake was loaded with mushrooms and bell peppers, which was really a tad too extra. I never felt strongly enough about the wings or the tableside grilled meats, but they were always a fun addition. Watermelon soju also was a big part of their fame. The novelty of a carved out watermelon filled with ice and soju made drunken nights that much more intoxicating. I thought the gimmick was a good one, even if I've never really felt much from it. Nowadays, melon soju as well as pineapple have become a heavy part of their drinking rotation. Service here was always a crapshoot since pub culture in NY is so intense, I felt the staff was never able to relax. Whether it was waiting to be seated or simply waiting for the food, it was always going to be an interesting experience. Generally speaking, the larger the group, the longer the wait. In many ways, I feel like I grew up here. I really hope it sticks around longer, so that a new generation of K-Town fiends can also make it their home. Perhaps in due time, I'll be able to return with an army of friends, indulging over a large cauldron of budaejigae before finishing it all off with a ripe, sweet watermelon soju as we fade into the night. __________ (#1) "Korea Way?" Maybe for tourists. (#2) Army stew. You want this.