Pocha & Grist House Beer Market 

Overview:

I have been wanting to try Pocha by Kye-Won for a long time. The restaurant serves Korean food in Saxonburg, PA. Grist House Beer Market also shares a space with Pocha, and both establishments complement each other well. Pocha offers traditional Korean fare and American food with a Korean twist. Some of the dishes you can find include bibimbap, curry, k-smash burger, and hot dogs. The restaurant offers dine-in and takeout online but does not have delivery. I have included the business hours below.

Location & Hours: ​ Wednesday – Saturday 11:00AM – 10:00PM Sunday (Brunch) 11:00AM –3:00PM (Korean Menu) 4:00-8:00PM

The Food & Drinks:

Grist House Beers

The food and drinks at Pocha were really good. First, we had a couple of Grist House beers. I got a Japanese rice beer, and we also tried one of the sour beers. Both beers were crisp and refreshing, like any of the beers I have tried from Grist House.

Mandu Korean Dumplings

When we first sat down, the owners of the place highly recommended the Mandu Korean dumplings. I was glad we decided to try them because they were amazing. The outside of the dumpling was pan-fried to crispy perfection. Inside the dumpling was a pork and vegetable mix, which was great, and the dipping sauce tasted like some kind of ponzu. 

BiBimBap w/ Korean Chicken

Korean Curry

For dinner, I decided to order the bibimbap. This included rice, beef, pickled veggies, and a fried egg. Some of the veggies included green beans, cucumbers, and kimchi (fermented cabbage). I have tried bibimbap before, but it has never tasted as good as here. I especially loved that it came with a side of gochujang (fermented chili paste). We also ordered the Korean curry. This included beef curry, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions served with rice. 

BiBimBap w/ Korean Beef

Service:

The dining experience at Pocha was really nice. The bartender behind the counter took our order in no time. We had drinks out quick, but our food took longer than we thought. It was worth the wait, however, because everything tasted great. The owners were talking at the bar, and we got to hear how the place came to be. 

Atmosphere:

 The inside of Pocha is small and cozy. You will find a few tables and an L-shaped bar that can seat about 7 people. The beer market and restaurant fit perfectly together, with some people just coming in for a drink. Others arrive looking for a full meal and drinks as well. I sat at the bar, so I was only able to get a shot of the wall from where I was sitting; the rest of the place was packed. 

Rating: Excellent |⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐|

I was very happy with our meal and drinks at Pocha. Everything tasted authentic, and the ingredients used were great. The seasoning and attention to detail were clear in all the dishes. Everything was plated beautifully and popped with contrasting colors and flavors. My bibimbap bowl was fantastic, and I would definitely get it again. We were told by the owners that the wings are award-winning, so that will be the next thing to try when we return. Our service was a little slow for the main dishes, but they were understandably busy. The combination of drinking Grist House beers and having Korean food complements each other well. Give Pocha a try if you love Korean food or are looking for something different to try!