Lakeside Korean Feast in Pokhara |

San Chon’s Braised Meat Pot—So Good, We Could Drink the Sauce with Rice 🥘 The lake breeze had just cooled the sweat on my forehead when I turned to spot San Chon’s wooden sign. I’d come to stroll by Phewa Lake, but the scent of gochujang drifting through the door pulled me in. The second I stepped inside, the bubbling of braised meat pots, the staff’s warm Korean greetings, and the vibrant banchan spread across tables made me think: on Pokhara’s lakeside street, there’s a little piece of Seoul’s warmth hidden away. ✨ Love at First Sight: The Steam from the Braised Pot Holds Korean Soul I was immediately drawn to the table next to ours—their braised meat pot glistened with amber sauce, fatty and lean meat chunks half-submerged, steam carrying a sweet-spicy aroma straight to my nose. When our pot arrived, I stirred it first: beef tender but not mushy, falling apart with a gentle prod, even the tendons stewed soft. Potatoes, soaked in sauce, stretched like strings when lifted with chopsticks, mixing with onion sweetness and cheongyang chili heat—each bite felt like “bursting with happiness.” I surrendered completely when pairing it with rice: spooning sauce over grains, mixing in mashed potatoes, the slow burn of sweet-spicy heat creeping up, forehead beading with sweat, yet unable to stop. No wonder the Korean couple at the next table kept saying “집 같아” (like home)—the care in this pot really tasted like “mom’s cooking.” ❤️ Step into a Seoul Alley: Wooden Tables, Lake Views, Total Relaxation The space was bigger than expected, dark wooden tables and chairs polished to a shine, Seoul Tower posters and traditional Korean screens on the walls, glass makgeolli jars (Korean rice wine) on a corner shelf—just like something out of a K-drama. Sunlight filtered through (venetian blinds), casting grid patterns on tablecloths, with occasional lake breezes slipping through the open door, mixing with grilled meat scents, slowing even my breath. Best spot? The window seat: look up to see Phewa Lake tourists, colorful sailboats drifting; look down to a bubbling braised pot and spread of banchan. This mix of “Nepali lake views + Korean warmth” was surprisingly harmonious—like stumbling on familiar comfort in a foreign street. 🍲 Must-Order List: Surprises from Braised Meat to Sips Korean Braised Meat Pot: The star! Beef or pork—both work. The sauce is key: sweet-spicy with garlic, so good you’ll hate to waste a drop. Mix with rice, dip banchan—endless ways to enjoy. Banchan Platter: Free refills—yes! Kimchi tangy and crisp, “crunch” when bitten; bean sprouts tossed in sesame oil, refreshing; spicy radish sweet, balancing the braised meat’s richness. Staff refills until you wave them off. Makgeolli & Soju: For a light buzz, try green-bottle soju—icy, smooth with a grainy hint. Prefer sweet? Go for makgeolli in traditional clay pots, sipping like “sweet porridge with a kick,” cutting grease and warming the stomach. 🔍 Practical Tips: Beat the Rush, Savor the Warmth Name: San Chon Korean Food (also Sanchon Korean Restaurant) Address: Lakeside 16, Pokhara—follow GPS, look for the Korean “Korean Cuisine” sign Hours: 12:00-21:30. Busiest 6-8pm; aim for before 5pm or after 9pm to skip lines Bonus: 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor isn’t a fluke—staff speak basic Chinese, easy to communicate As I left, the braised pot’s warmth still lingered in my stomach. Glancing back at the warmly lit shop, I got why people “can’t help but order another pot”—on a Pokhara journey, a hot, hearty meal like this melts weariness, lightening even your steps. Next time by the lake, I’m sitting by that window, and we’re braising another pot. #PokharaNepal #Pokhara #PokharaFood #LoveInEveryFrame #Foodie #LivingInPokhara #PokharaGuide