Fans of K-drama will be familiar with Korean school food trays where the dishes are served in a metal tray with compartments.
School kids grow up in South Korea having these at school, but these Korean school lunches have gone viral thanks to Hallyu or the global Korean wave.
Pocha Albany, known for its late-night offerings, have recently just opened up for lunch serving some mouthwatering meals - including these popular school lunches.
Similar to a Japanese bento, these lunch trays have all sorts of side dishes and come with rice or noodles and the main protein.
Jamie Yang, who runs Pocha Albany, said the school canteen lunches had a strong cultural significance and reflects the country’s culinary tradition.
“They are designed to be delicious, nutritious but also educational in the sense that it introduces students to a variety of distinctive Korean flavours and ingredients,” Yang said.
“In that same way, our school lunch trays aim to introduce the variety of flavours to those who are new to Korean cuisine, and for others, a sense of nostalgia.”
Pocha school food menu, priced from $24, features a selection of nine food tray options, including bulgogi, spicy fried pork, spicy squid, seafood and tofu soup to kimchi soup and shrimp fried rice.
“Like the school lunches in Korea, the components on our lunch trays are carefully selected to provide a balanced meal,” Yang said.
“Ask any Korean and they will tell you their school lunches are the most memorable part of their school day, and we hope these will be the most memorable lunches people will have at Pocha Albany too.”
For those keen for a Korean lunch that’s “more sophisticated” than the school lunch trays, there are options like the King Katsu (breadcrumb fried chicken cutlet with house-made sauce, served with rice and salad).
The chicken cutlet 치킨까스 is also a favourite among students in Korea. This is actually an adaptation of the Japanese chicken katsu, but what sets it apart is the tasty Korean sauce.
Then there’s also the King Beef Rib Soup (giant beef rib in a rich beef broth served with rice and kimchi) and the Spicy Rice Cake Hotpot (rice cakes, fishcakes, dumplings, ramen noodles and vegetables in a spicy soup) and a la carte items including bibimbap, fish roe mixed rice, Pocha udon and a selection of cold noodles.
No Korean meal is complete without a sweet K-dessert, and the best way to finish your Pocha lunch in this summer heat is to have a bingsu.
These come in massive sharing bowls (with a choice toppings that include mango and strawberry) or in a cup, that comes with oreo and red bean.
POCHA ALBANY
1/329 Albany Highway, Rosedale
Ph 09 393 8080
Menu pocha.co.nz
