MELBOURNE | Jinro is a staple on bar and restaurant menus throughout Korea. It’s not surprising, given that it’s the best-selling soju brand not just in Korea, but in the world. As Korean food and culture have become more popular in Australia, HiteJinro have been trying to promote their soju in Australia. Their boldest move came late last year, when they opened their own late night bar and restaurant, Jinro Pocha. I was invited in to take a look.
Hidden down a basement on Lonsdale Street, Jinro Pocha, reimagines the traditional Korean pocha into something more modern, featuring murals and artworks by Korean artists, and K-pop hits playing on the big screen and over the speakers. It’s a casual, lively, approachable space. Being a HiteJinro concept, there’s no shortage of Jinro merch and branding, featuring Jinro’s iconic toad (dukkeob). This leans into Korea’s “newtro” trend, which blends modern tastes with retro branding.
The menu is all about drinks featuring Jinro, and food that goes well with it. There’s the full range of plain and flavoured Jinro soju, including limited flavours from Korea that you won’t find elsewhere in town. The injeolmi milk highball is well worth a try. There’s also Terra beer, and non-alcoholic options.
For food, there’s classic options and playful options aimed at offering something a bit different than other pochas in town. Korean fried chicken, and cheesy corn steamed egg souffle, are tasty versions of the classics. A must try classic is the yukhoe (beef tartare) with crisps. Two of the more unique options worth trying are the Shin Ramyun blended fried rice with waterfall cheese, and the spicy pork bulgogi served atop a bed of Cheese Supreme Doritos. It’s exactly the kind of food that you want to eat while drinking. For something sweet, the dense, rich, injeolmi tiramisu is a good option.
Jinro Pocha
B/388 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: 0406 554 388
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Sun – Thu: 5:00pm to 12:00am
Fri – Sat: 5:00pm to 2:00am