Pojangmacha (Korean: 포장마차; lit. covered wagon[1]), also abbreviated as pocha (포차), is a South Korean term for outdoor carts that sell street foods such as hotteok, gimbap, tteokbokki, sundae, dak-kkochi (Korean skewered chicken),[2] fish cake, mandu, and anju (foods accompanying drinks).[3] In the evening, many of these establishments serve alcoholic beverages such as soju.[4]
| Pojangmacha | |
 Customers seated at a pojangmacha in Gwangju (2006) | |
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 포장마차 |
| Hanja | 布帳馬車 |
| Revised Romanization | pojangmacha |
| McCune–Reischauer | p'ochangmach'a |
Pojangmacha is a popular place to have a snack or drink late into the night. The food sold in these places can usually be eaten quickly while standing or taken away. Some offer cheap chairs or benches for customers to sit, especially the ones serving late night customers who come to drink soju.[5]
As of 2012[update], there were approximately 3,100 pocha in Seoul.[6]
Jongno is the most famous area for Pojangmacha but you can still find some decent food in Gwangjang Market. Some pojangmacha in Jongno and other areas now offer set menus, with a combination of individual snacks put together in one plate.
History
editPojangmacha developed in the 1950s, after the end of Japanese rule in 1945. Vendors operated then much as they do today, although their equipment has changed. Mobile food carts were made stationary, wooden poles were erected around the cart, and cotton cloth would be hung around the cart to protect it and the customers from the elements. Over time, wood changed to metal, and cotton changed to tarpaulin. Carbide lamps were converted to incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, and then to LEDs.[7]
Popular foods in the 1950s included naengmyeon (cold noodles), sundae (sausages), bindae-tteok (mung bean pancakes), mandu (dumplings), and grilled seafood. During this period, pojangmacha served refugees during the Korean War. Stalls also served alcohol, including soju, makgeolli, and beer.[7]
Since the 1980s, pojangmacha staple foods have reportedly remained relatively consistent. Around that time, stalls in Seoul, particularly in the Gangnam area, began receiving water dedicated water and electricity.[7]
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In recent times, pocha has become an aesthetic in itself.[7] They feature prominently in South Korean dramas and films.[8] Some indoor restaurants and bars attempt to replicate the aesthetic, and are dubbed "indoor pojangmacha" (실내 포장마차).[7][8]
Menu
edit
Some stalls in Jongno, Seoul, and other places offer set menus. For example, Gimbap, tteokbokki, and sundae are served on one plate.[8]
Drinks
editFood
edit- Dakbal (닭발)
- Twigim (튀김)
- Hoe (회)
- Tteokbokki (떡볶이)
- Eomuk (어묵)
- Gyeranmari (계란말이)
- Jeyuk bokkeum (제육볶음)
- Kimchi dubu (김치두부)
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Elisa Ludwig (Mar 14, 2007). "Pojangmacha". citypaper.net. Archived from the original on 2007-03-22.
- ^ dakkochi
- ^ Yi, Jason (2017-08-15). "Place From A Confessional: Pojangmacha Street Food". The RushOrder Blog. Archived from the original on 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
- ^ Goldberg, Lina "Asia's 10 greatest street food cities" Archived 2012-03-25 at the Wayback Machine CNN Go. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-11
- ^ "Korean Food: Street Foods". Life in Korea.
- ^ Oh, Esther "Guide to pojangmacha: Why Koreans love drinking in tents" Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine CNN Go. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-13
- ^ a b c d e 김, 혜숙, "포장마차 (布帳馬車)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-06-14
- ^ a b c "Why Pojangmacha Street Food Is What You Need". 10 Magazine. October 26, 2016.
External links
edit- Why Pojangmacha Street Food Is What You Need 10 Magazine, Charles Montgomery, October 26, 2016