Kong Pocha — Restaurant in Columbia

When I saw that my favorite Korean restaurant was opening up a second location in Columbia, I knew I wanted to go on day one. I was also happy to see this location is closer to where I now live since my wife and I had moved away from Baltimore last year, which was close to Kong pocha's first location.

Sometimes when you go to a restaurant on opening day it's safe to assume the quality or service won't be at 100%, but that was absolutely not the case. Their food tastes as great as always, everything was delivered exactly as I expected with the same quality level as in Baltimore, and the customer service from their staff is friendly and helpful. Their staff always has a great attitude, which would make it easy to want to stay longer and keep buying drinks and more food.

As for their food, they always provide you with sides to start that you can eat while you wait for your food or to compliment your meal. For our appetizer, we ordered the super cheesy and creamy corn cheese and for the first time we had the rose sauce rice cakes (Tteokbokki), which was way better than I expected. For an entree, you can never go wrong with their fried chicken, which is honestly some of the best I've had anywhere. I also ordered the Kongbination meal, which is great if you're indecisive and want to try a bit of each of some of their most popular items. I added the curry sauce to the rice, which made it super delicious, especially with the egg on top that is nice and runny when you open it up.

I can also confidently recommend their omelette rice dishes and any of the soups, which I'll be sure to order next time.

It's also worth mentioning they have a great selection of Korean alcoholic drinks.

In summary, the new location lives up to all my expectations for my favorite Korean restaurant and I look forward to going again soon! Please go try their food and welcome them to the...

Our first time, very tasty food, indeed. I'd personally endorse the Kimchi Pancake for an appetizer. My plus 1, who is all about Korean Dramas and visiting Korea and learning the language and introducing me to Korean cuisine, well, she felt cheated out of rice cakes in the Rice Cake & Dumpling Soup. She's not a complainer, but after finding only three she said it should have been at least double that number. Upon further prying, she said it should have been an "equal amount" of rice cakes as the dumplings. (She was close to being a mathematician before becoming a scientist.) Residing in the Rice section, my dish was delish and the quantity was sufficient, eaten completely with chopsticks--which leads us to utensil/floor coverings.

Apparently, it is not out of the ordinary at some Korean restaurants to receive a covered spoon. Since their utensils are reusable, it has some hygienic purpose while it waits on the table. I don't quite understand it, logically, considering none of the cups had the wrappings, but I get the attempt. However, the spoon covering, while appreciated for hygienic purposes while on the table, when on the floor, it means something else--perhaps, a rush to seat patrons, but most assuredly it means neglecting a complete cleaning of the area from the previous guests. It's not a capital offense. I'm sure we've all been at places where the booth seats have not been completely cleaned, or the floor has remnants of the other humans who dined there not too long before you. Shoot, I've wiped down my own table/chair. Not at Kong Pocha prices, though. Hence, this mention. If the wrapper's at all symbolic, go...

A Lively Korean Bar That Gets It Right

If you’re looking for a night out that blends high-energy vibes with great Korean drinks and bar food, this Korean bar delivers a top-tier experience. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels alive — neon signs, K-pop or Korean R&B in the background, and a crowd that clearly knows this is the spot to unwind.

The drink selection is fantastic. Soju comes in a range of flavors (the peach and green grape are classics), and the cocktails are both playful and potent — think soju mojitos, honey Makgeolli, and even creative house infusions. For beer lovers, there's Korean lager and even some solid imported options.

The food is where the bar really stands out. While you won’t find tteokbokki here, the menu leans into anju — traditional Korean drinking snacks — and they’re perfect for sharing. The Korean fried chicken is a must: crispy, juicy, and coated in sauces ranging from sweet soy to fiery spicy. The kimchi pancake was golden and flavorful, and the corn cheese? Pure, melty indulgence.

Service was quick and upbeat, and the staff made great recommendations based on our drink choices. The place gets busy, especially on weekends, but it adds to the energy rather than feeling overwhelming.

Verdict: A fun, flavorful night out with no pretension — just good food, great drinks, and even better vibes. Perfect for groups, casual dates, or anyone looking to escape into a slice of...