Kangnam Pocha

176 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5QF, United Kingdom
+44 20 3968 7046
$$$ Korean restaurant
(1006 Reviews)
Price Range £10–20

Kangnam Pocha is a lively Korean restaurant situated just off Drury Lane, offering a welcoming atmosphere that nods to the bustling street food bars (pochas) of Seoul. It’s the kind of spot where groups of friends gather for casual dinners but also works well for anyone craving authentic Korean comfort food in central London.

The interior has a warm, informal vibe that matches the hearty menu. Expect generous portions that satisfy whether you’re after a quick lunch or a long evening meal. The buzz inside speaks to its popularity, with queues common at peak times, especially in the evening. Arriving around midday can mean a quieter experience before the dinner crowd rolls in.

The menu focuses on robust, traditional Korean dishes that highlight bold flavors and variety. Standouts include the Korean Fried Chicken—offering a crispy, sweet-and-spicy balance—and the seafood pancake, a shared plate that reflects a popular Korean street food. For those seeking rice and soups, dishes like the spicy oxtail soup and the dolsot bibimbab make for nourishing options that conjure the feeling of home-cooked meals.

It’s a great choice for anyone who appreciates authentic, no-frills Korean food in sizable serves without London price tags. Lunch specials make it particularly approachable for diners working in the area or theatre-goers looking for a filling meal before a show.

  • Best for: Fans of Korean BBQ, fried chicken, and traditional stews wanting a satisfying meal in a convivial setting.
  • Who will enjoy it: Groups of friends, couples, or solo diners looking for authentic Korean fare with a social dining atmosphere.
  • Best time to visit: Early lunchtime to avoid queues, or early evening on weekdays. Weekends can get especially busy.
  • Atmosphere: Lively and casual with a friendly buzz reminiscent of Korean street-side eateries, complete with attentive staff.
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Has free water refills
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Tuesday

12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Wednesday

12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Thursday

12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Friday

12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Saturday

12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 09:30 PM

1006 Reviews
Sky Lam

09 Jan 2026

Definitely worth a visit! The food is very affordable in central London, especially the lunch special. Which I ordered a bulgogi bento. The kimchi pancake is also really good. Would definitely recommend that as well. My friend ordered pork belly and gave a good comment as well. Overall it is a great and filling meal. I arrvied at 12:00 therefore there isn't a queue. However the restaurant is already busy. But the service is still fast and good given that its busy. The staff is also very friendly and even complimented my friend's Beomgyu phonecase! If you have the time its definitely worth a visit! Plus the plates are super cute and I enjoyed the KPop music played.

Lingbo Xing

10 Dec 2025

Big portions! Best London meal I have . Great port back bone soup and spicy ox tail soup. I came twice during my stay in London, and best value. Only drawback is always a line

MEIHUI汪汪 SUMNER

19 Nov 2025

Found it accidentally,worth to queue up for the good food and one of the best is got discount if paying cash,oooohooo. Thanks for the good food and service. We ordered quite a portion for two, can't resist it. A spice Oxtails soup served with a bowl of purple cooked rice, KFC ( Korean sweet and chilly chicken nuggets), rice cake noodles,seafood pan cake and black beans noodles. Yum yum yum. Ps, we visited again today on 28th, the food are Great still. Thank you,Momo,the lady who service us,very friendly service and smile.

钟陆弘

31 Oct 2025

Kangnam Pocha is one of the best Korean restaurants I’ve tried in London! The food is authentic, flavourful, and served in generous portions – exactly what you’d hope for in proper Korean comfort food. The atmosphere feels lively and welcoming, with a warm pocha (street food bar) vibe that makes it perfect for both casual dinners and nights out with friends. The staff are friendly and attentive, always happy to recommend dishes if you’re unsure. I especially loved the tteokbokki – it was absolutely delicious and tasted just like in Korea. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food, and the overall dining experience is excellent. If you’re craving authentic Korean food in London, Kangnam Pocha is definitely a place you shouldn’t miss!

alex t

15 Oct 2025

Went back for the first time in a while the other day, great to see the standard is still the same. The galbi is amazing and comes out piping hot and has an amazing marinade and some amazing other sides as well.

Kim Aurine

27 Sep 2025

Kimchi pancake was too thick, heavy on the batter, very little kimchi. Soup ordered didn’t have a chilli sign on the menu so mistakenly ordered it so didn’t touch the soup. They were generous on the spare ribs though Bulgogi was flavourful, bibimbap was sizzling, jap chae was fragrant Expect small tight toilets but understandable for locations in London

Tanyong Pimolwatcharakit

21 Sep 2025

The food was really tasty. Prices were actually cheaper than most Korean places I’ve been to. The staff were super friendly and attentive. Just a heads up they only accept walk-in no reservations, so the line can get really long and the wait takes a while.

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