Mokpo City Prepares to Open Hanggu Pocha... Expecting the Taste and Romance of the Harbor

Creation of 'Mokpo Hanggu Pocha' at Samhakdo Former Coast Guard Pier, 15 Stores Selected
Final Preparations Underway with Courtesy and Hygiene Training Ahead of Opening on the 12th

Harbor Pocha Bird's-eye View (Photo by Mokpo City)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Ki-dong] On the 12th, ‘Mokpo Hanggu Pocha,’ where visitors can feel the romance and atmosphere of a beautiful harbor, will open on Samhakdo Island in Mokpo.

Mokpo City announced on the 2nd that the harbor pocha, being created at the former Coast Guard pier on Samhakdo Island to allow tourists visiting Mokpo to fully enjoy special flavors and memories befitting the city of taste, is in the final stages of preparation ahead of its opening on the 12th.

‘Mokpo Hanggu Pocha,’ which started from citizens’ demand for a tourist pocha street where they can reminisce about the past and taste the flavors of the harbor, is especially meaningful as it is a project jointly promoted by the public and private sectors, gathering opinions and working together in all aspects including location, store type selection, operation, and management plans.

The city paid particular attention to reflecting citizens’ opinions from the naming stage of the pocha. Through a preference survey, the name ‘Mokpo Hanggu Pocha’ was chosen as it best encapsulates Mokpo’s identity.

The selection of operators was also completed through a strict and fair process. Since March, participants were accepted through a public contest, and after the first document evaluation and the second food tasting event, 15 private operators were finally selected.

Currently, pocha operators are undergoing consulting on pocha operation, including customer service training, hygiene education, and menu development, and are reported to be highly motivated.

They are determined to make the harbor pocha the best famous pocha in Korea by providing affordable and delicious food along with friendly and clean service, fitting for the city of taste, Mokpo.

The food to be sold at the pocha includes about 60 diverse menu items that anyone from family tourists to office workers, men and women of all ages can enjoy without burden, such as representative local dishes like nakji (octopus), min-eo (croaker fish), and hong-eo (fermented skate) samhap (three delicacies), as well as water parsley samgyeopsal (pork belly) barbecue, chicken feet seafood samhap, and nakji ramen.

Preparations for the business space are also being finalized. Considering aesthetics and safety, the business space was decided to be container booths with unified colors and shapes. The city provides infrastructure such as water supply and drainage, electricity, and restrooms, while private pocha operators bear the costs of containers and equipment necessary for pocha operation.

The city proposed the specifications and design of the containers to best reflect the identity of the romantic harbor Mokpo, and operators are selecting manufacturing companies and carrying out interior construction through the operators’ council accordingly.

The city and operators are putting as much effort into preparing entertainment as they do into the food. Inspired by the analysis of other local governments showing that providing various attractions like performances targeting young people was a key success factor, ‘Mokpo Hanggu Busking’ performances will be held twice every Friday and Saturday, along with various event programs.

Mokpo Hanggu Pocha will operate year-round without holidays, from 19:00 to 02:00 the next day during the summer season from March to October, and from 17:00 to 24:00 during the winter season from November to February.

A Mokpo city official said, “With the opening of the harbor pocha, there is one more way to taste the delicacies of the city of taste, Mokpo. We hope you experience Mokpo’s flavors and romance with Yudalsan Mountain and the harbor as the backdrop at the harbor pocha.” He added, “In particular, Mokpo is a great place for non-face-to-face and contactless travel with attractions like Gohado Island, Yudalsan Mountain, and the Modern History and Culture Street, and we recommend healing your weary heart from COVID-19 in Mokpo.”