Once in a while, you find one of those places you really enjoy--not just because the food is amazing, but because of the atmosphere and the genuinely friendly, happy people who make you feel so welcome. POCHA by Kye-Won in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania was definitely one of those places! This little Korean restaurant may seem unassuming at first, but somehow, the minute we walked in, I just knew we were in for a treat. And it did not disappoint! The food was amazing, the appetizers were out of this world, and the wonderful service made the whole experience even better. My only regret is that I didn't take pictures of the food! I always seem to think of that AFTER I've already scarfed it down. If you're ever in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, POCHA by Kye-Won is a must! Great food, a wonderful atmosphere, and the kind of warm, friendly service that makes you want to come back again and again. read more

Real Korean food in Saxonburg - yes believe it! We went here on a lark one Friday evening looking for something different from our typical routine of pizza or pasta. We took a nice ride from the North Hills and ended up in a very small restaurant (read: reservations are highly encouraged). We ate outside and had Korean BBQ. The side dishes were authentic, the staff was warm. You didn't feel like a customer - it felt like you were visiting your aunt's house (if your aunt was born and raised in Korea :) We absolutely loved our evening and we will be coming back. read more

Both the food and beer deserves more than a 3, but hear me out. I love Korean food. I have actually made my own authentic Kimchi (with the fermented shrimp!) and we love places like this, ie Nakwon Garden, Golden Pig, etc. Beer: It's all pretty much the same when it comes to NeIPA and IPA and Hazy etc. Slightly different flavor profiles and viscosities. I enjoyed the HazyWumpus because it had a cleaner finish than the Space Cactus. My wife got the sours. I don't like sours but tasted them and they tasted as expected. Bartender served us. She spent most of her time behind the bar but did pay attention to our needs just fine. Food: I had the "Korean KFC" wings ($13 for 6 deep fried wings), they were crunchy. In fact, the chef's husband/owner came to our table (without really introducing himself, we had to ask) while we were ordering to "tell us what he tells everybody" that the first bite should be without the sauces to experience just the crunch. Yes, it was crunchy. Thanks for the tip. Not sure it was necessary. Write it on the menu. I can be sociable but it felt so random. Again, I think it's because where they seated us, we're a focal point. I preferred the gochujang sauce my wife liked the other garlic sesame. I felt like the garlic sesame had a very bitter after flavor. My wife had BiBimBap (chose beef) with Dolsot ($17+$2) it was good I had two bites. I got the K-SMASH Burger. It was good, but admittedly the patties were dry. I suspect maybe they don't smash it with onions? Not sure. They used a white cheese. The pickles and kimchi on it tasted good. Overall not a bad burger, but it was vertically large and very narrow horizontally if that makes sense. I believe I counted 20ish fresh cut fries, it was not that much. I would have expected something more akin to what you would get at one of many places around this part of the state that serve you such things. They were good though, don't get me wrong. The burger's kimchi dripped out all over them and that only enhanced them further, and I dipped them in my retained gochujang sauce from the wings and they went well together. They should offer that as an option, I never touched the vinegar or ketchup I was offered. If they had doubled up on the fries, it would have been much better in my mind. Don't skimp on those! For $16 I deserve too many. Everything was served on metal plates with metal chopsticks and we were given forks and napkins. Service: Did not have a reservation. Apparently to have KBBQ you need a reservation most of the time. KBBQ starts at $29. These prices may change in the future I'm sure. Upon arriving at the place, things were very confusing. You must park in Sprankles and there is no way to enter the parking lot near the eatery. We had to turn around and won't make the mistake in the future, but that's the brakes. Anyway, once we arrived there was an outdoor area in a heated tent, and an indoor area with an open window. We went to the indoor area and the food service was in the back near the kitchen inside of a window with its own register. We were asked several times if we had a reservation, it was jumbled but there were three empty tables. We were given the one in the center of the room near the bar. I didn't love it, but we took it. Look, the place is very small. I get that for some legal reason you have to keep your food separate to your beer because its two distinct businesses I assume. Grist House is a well known brand and we're giving it a chance etc. The chef did come out and say "Everything tasting good?" and then left us alone. She spoke with someone nearby for quite a while, probably her personal friend. That's fine. We, again, felt overwhelmed where we were sitting. For example, I was telling a story after our meal had finished and I was still finishing my second beer, when I was immediately interrupted during the first sentence about the bill. I just don't think that person needed to do that. It was not our original server, but someone we had never interacted with prior. I felt like a good waiter/waitress would simply hang back and wait for the right time, this was not it. It was nowhere near closing time, with no one coming in, so what is the rush? We were happy to get the bill but I mean right at that moment ??? Then we were derailed again by the bar bill showing up, and yada ya. I really believe the staff needs to go a little lighter on that central table. The following morning I am for an unknown reason nauseated. I had a headache when I woke up, I am not 100% sure it's their fault but it's been some hours and I've had a small bland breakfast, yet I'm still feeling sick. Their food is in my fridge and has a strange odor. A lot of Korean sides are fermented, perhaps there's something going on with that, or maybe I'm just crazy. Anyway, given the ambiance, limited seating availability, that it is 30 minutes away from us, we might be back, but not sure read more

My mom loves Korean and it's oddly tough to find good Korean in Pittsburgh. When my husband found Pocha, we had to book Mother's Day' reservations for my mom. Since we were at Grist House, I wanted to have a drink. I absolutely loved my pineapple mojito with vodka. So sweet and delicious! We decided to try some apps because they all sounded really good and we read about how much people enjoyed the online. We started out with the Mandu (Pork Dumplings) / 만두 were so crunchy and the meat and sauce were really good too. The scallion pancake was so crispy and flavorful. We all loved it. My husband also loved his Korean Curry Rice / 카레라이스. He's a big curry fan. My mom and I love Korean beef. We both had the bulgogi with noodles. We found out the beef bulgogi is cooked in fire so it was a bit more burnt than we could eat. We let our nice waitress know who talked to the owner. The owner personally came out to find out more, explain and make it right. It meant a lot to us. She remade the food with less char and it was delicious. It also came out quickly. Then she also took them off the bill. I tried to at least pay for one. It was only fair. She appreciated the gesture but would not hear of it. What a wonderful person! We would love to come back and try the Korean fried wings. Others had them and they looked delicious. I also love Japchae and would like for try that with chicken. So many good things on the menu. read more

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Pocha by Kye Won was a 34 mile road trip from New Castle, PA, and worth it! (It was a nice weekend drive in the country with the wife though, so the drive was fun too) I got the dol-sut bibimbap, the wife got the spicy pork with sweet potato noodles (those are the translucent lightly brown stretch noodles you find in so many Korean dishes. GET THEM instead of rice, or with rice if you have to have rice, just get these tasty, stretchy, noodles!) Kye-Won is who did the actual service for the food, and she is terrific. I'm VERY familiar with Korean food, and she guided us through the smaller, but well curated menu. There is no jujube chicken, no squid on a stick or oyster pancake. What they DO have is a rotating menu of kimchi ban-chan sides, all EXCELLENT! If you are disappointed by the banchan and kimchi you've had elsewhere, because it wasn't "hearty" enough, this place will fix that. I loved the place! Without reservation and unequivocally. Oh, and there's an outside covered grilling tent for AUTHENTIC Korean table grilled meats! (The Korean bbq) I can't wait to go back for that! Check out the menu pics, all current as of March '26. read more

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Outstanding, outstanding, outstanding come relax and be treated right also along with the great food you have outstanding beer and do some shopping if you need to read more

Excellent! Bibimbap spicy pork. Haven't had this good since visiting South Korea and the Philippines. Place is small, only two tables of four. Service was good. read more

POCHA By Kye Won - Bibimbap-spicy pork. - Korean Near Me - Saxonburg, Pennsylvania

We just moved from the Bay Area California and this is BY FAR the best Korean food and experience we've ever had. The service is astounding, the ambiance is like you went to Seoul and were eating a local mom and pop shop. And to top it off, the food is extraordinary. I almost didn't want to write this review lol and give this hidden gem away. Tucked on the side of a grocery store, you'll find it. Enjoy-get everything from the fried chicken, scallion pancake, and pork belly with all the banchan side dishes. We shall be back read more

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If you're looking for delicious Korean food in the Pittsburgh area then you have to check out POCHA Korean by Kye-Won! It's definitely a hike from the city but I promise it's worth the drive. The building is attached to a grocery store and the inside is small and has a Grist House taproom as well. There's some bar seating, a couple of smaller tables inside, and outdoor seating with an outdoor tent. The food and the hospitality were both excellent! We had a feast and tried well over half the menu so it's hard to pick a favorite but I absolutely adored the delightfully crispy Korean fried chicken wings, the Korean BBQ, the ramen, and the airy and lightly sweet bingsu desserts. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Our only regret is not having room for more but we will definitely be back! read more

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POCHA by Kye-Won is a casual Korean restaurant that sort of shares space with Grist House Beer Market and Sprankle's Neighborhood Market. (The word "pocha" means a Korean street vendor or food stall.) Its menu lists appetizers such as Korean fried chicken wings and Pajeon scallion pancake; their signature Pocha meal of rice, glass noodles, and choice of protein; warm bowls such as ramen and curry rice; burgers and hotdogs; Korean BBQ (in an outside tent); sides such as kimchi and banchan; and dessert of bingsu. Dining in and takeout are available. My husband and I ate one lunch here. An employee promptly greeted us. We sat at a spacious and clean table. Our waiter spoke very nicely with us throughout our service. (We learned that many of the employees here are graduates of Penn State.) Our appetizer was Mandu, six pan-fried pork dumplings with tofu, sprouts, scallions, onions, and soy dipping sauce. My main course was Bibimbap, a bowl that contained rice, pickled vegetables, gochujang chili paste, dippy egg, and my choice of protein of chicken. My husband's main course was the signature pocha meal of rice, glass noodles, and his choice of protein of bulgogi beef. Unfortunately, when I ordered the bingsu, the employees told me that they were not set up to make it. Last year my husband and I vacationed in South Korea and ate authentic Korean foods, and we think that Pocha's foods were comparably very good. read more

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This is one of those places you want to keep to yourself...but I must share the amazing food, welcoming atmosphere and personable staff. Kye-Won welcomes you into her "home" and makes you feel like you are long time friends. No doubt, the best Wings in Butler County, Maybe all of Pittsburgh and surrounding. You must get the Sweet Gochujang Sauce (Spicy)​ on the side. Flavor Explosions from the BiBimBap. Pair that with a @gristhouse brew read more

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Service was disorganized, slow, and not very attentive. It took 20 mins before we got an appetizer order in, then another 25 mins for the main course. We had to ask a server each time. Seating indoors on a sunny day is rough when the windows of the garage door has zero blinds. Food was decent. The wings were nice and crisp but could use salt. I had the chicken stew. Flavor was good, portion was decent. We also had to ask for the bill as well and seats indoor were full, so it would have helped them to free up 4 seats, but no one was paying attention. ‍ read more

Pocha by Kyewon is one of the most special dining experiences I've had in Pittsburgh. From the moment you walk in, you feel it's more than just a place to eat, it feels like being welcomed into someone's home. The owner greets everyone like family, checking in, chatting, and making sure you're taken care of in a way that's so genuine and rare to find. The food is incredible. You can taste the heart and intention behind every dish, this is Korean comfort food made with love. It's clear that her goal isn't just to make money, but to feed people well and share true Korean hospitality. The menu beautifully balances traditional Korean flavors with thoughtful nods to Pittsburgh, including fun items like burgers and a hot dog named after her husband, which perfectly reflects the blend of cultures here. If you're looking for amazing food, great beer, warmth, and a place that truly cares about its community, Pocha by Kyewon is a must-visit. Pittsburgh is lucky to have this gem. My favorites are Pocha Nachos KFC Wings K-Smash Korean bbq w pork belly read more

POCHA By Kye Won - Pork Belly Korean BBQ - Korean Near Me - Saxonburg, Pennsylvania

Cute spot to enjoy the weather. Great food: wings, dumplings and plate. Sauces were very flavorful. My son said the wings were very crispy. Reminded me of my Korean aunt's cooking. read more

POCHA By Kye Won - Mandu (Pork Dumplings) / 만두 - Korean Near Me - Saxonburg, Pennsylvania

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Well Kye-Won definitely did her homework. Location ... middle of nowhere, why compete in. Pittsburgh with all the rest. Drop it in a beautiful little town of Saxonburg Pa. I'm so glad I drove over. Stick overnight in kittaning. This place shares a room with a micro brewery. Small but man was it busy ! Good for you Kye-Won! The food was absolutely fantastic authentic Korean! Friendly people crazy awesome food and a quiet town. How does it get any better than this ! God bless your business! read more

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Amazing! The food is absolutely delicious! Make sure you reserve a table to sit outside for the bbq which is cooked in front of you! We started with the chicken wings which were so crispy and yummy especially with the sauces! I heard the crab cakes are incredible too. Then we got to the reason that we made the beautiful drive to experience a truly authentic Korean experience ! We ordered all the proteins. I just had the beef and chicken. it was fantastic! All the entrees come with several sides that are replenished as often as you wish. Truly so fresh, homemade and wonderful ! Definitely fun to make lettuce wraps with these sides and to sit back on the patio while enjoying the beer on tap from their place next door! We just recently had Korean Bbq at a Michelin starred restaurant in NYC and this food was just as fresh and wonderful as that was! It's so worth the drive! The couple who run the restaurant are so friendly.. the wife is the chef and clearly enjoys what she does! read more

Don't judge the location by its appearance. The location is inside a beer garden which I did not expect. Everything was super clean. The staff was incredibly kind. I was able to get a beer that matched my food. The food was excellent and the takeout transported well. Ordered Korean Curry, Classic Korean Meal, and Mandu. read more

Food was amazing. Service was even better. Get the dumplings, wings and noodles. Next time we are in PA we will be back!

Heard such great things about this place, couldn't believe it was true. I'm a believer! Stopped for lunch on a Sunday, but they serve a brunch menu. That's ok, eggs with bulgogi turns out to be exactly the dish for a cold day. The kimchi, pickled cucumbers, scallion salad - all homemade. Kye Won even customized mine to make it gluten free. Incredibly welcoming service in a small location. Jump on this before they blow up and we won't be able to get in. Haven't had Korean food this good since I was in Seoul. read more

In town helping my Mom recover from Surgery. Had a sampling a few years ago at West Fest. Food is tremendous. BiBimBap was amazing. Great snap to the veggies. Very flavorful! read more

POCHA By Kye Won - BiBimBap - Korean Near Me - Saxonburg, Pennsylvania

The food was out of this world the service is amazing and the ambience is near. Perfect I recommend the chicken.

Amazing food and owner! Came here for a birthday meal and was very impressed. Best Korean food I've ever had and you can tell the love and care that's put into every aspect of your meal from start to finish. Lovely place to grab the best Korean food of your life! Will definitely be back. read more

I screwed up my first review should have been 5 stars. However as a rule something spectacular should happen for me to rate prefect for my first visit. And to be honest it was a top notch dinning experience from the get go. read more

This was our second time to this location, and it does not disappoint. The food is exceptional, very fresh, I suspect handmade, and very tasty. Service was good. Beer selection was over the top with a wide range of beers available from microbreweries. The only bad aspect to this restaurant is the horrific dining room. There are only three tables, plus high-stools at two counters. Very cramped and very uncomfortable. They were very busy on this visit, and we were inundated with people without reservations standing around the tables talking loudly and making the table diners (with reservations) very uncomfortable. read more

One of the best meals my family has had in a long time. All of the appetizers and meals we got were absolutely amazing!! Seriously the best chicken wings ever!!! Crab cakes were so good! read more

From the perfectly seasoned kimchi to the fiery gochujang-based dishes, everything tasted like it came straight from a Seoul street kitchen. The balance of heat and flavor was masterfully done -- not Americanized, not watered down, just honest, delicious spice that Korean cuisine is known for. Friendly service, cozy atmosphere, and top-notch food; Pocha is the real deal. If you're craving real Korean spice and soul, this will hit the spot. read more

Everything was delicious. The owner, Kyewon, came out to talk to us for a while, too. She is extremely passionate about her food, and it's easy to tell from a single bite. Highly recommend. read more

Run - don't walk- this place is amazing! It is worth the trip to this three generation family business who cooks everything from scratch!

Authentic, delicious and about to expand! They'll be adding a patio and pushing further into the grocery. Well worth a trip here for dinner. The owners mom was making dumplings when we walked in and they're phenomenal. They also have a Lego table for the littles! Oh, they teamed up with Grist House so you can get a brew with dinner! read more

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My friend and I visited yesterday for late lunch and spent a lot of time not only learning about the origin of POCHA but also about Korean cooking overall. Hospitality does not begin to describe our experience - we were graciously invited into a home. We tried five dishes overall, including dessert, and everything was delicious. Standout for me was the pickled vegetables - there's a magic happening there that I cannot get right in my home kitchen. Make sure you try them when you visit. I would enthusiastically recommend this spot to everyone and I will make a point to return. What a bright spot in Saxonburg! read more

For a person who absolutely LOVES food and literally eats all day everyday......Pocha is one of my favorite places to eat. Really not only eat but to sit and just chill out. The food is excellent and the people behind the "bar" and in the kitchen, they make you feel like family. NO MATTER what age.....this is the place to be for the best food in Saxonburg. PS....my grandfather who is VERY picky with what he eats stops almost every Sunday to just say hello or to eat....when I say let's go to Pocha, he's the first to the car I HIGHLY recommend this small little special place read more

This is a hidden gem of Saxonburg. You have to go! Fantastic, homemade, authentic food, the dumplings were off the charts. From the warm welcome to loving every bite. This is a must-visit for everyone who enjoys great food. Leigh Baxter read more

Kye Won is the BEST. The lady and I have eaten almost everything on the menu and it has all been 10/10. This is the best food in the area for sure and Kye's knowledge and personality really makes it all come together! If you are thinking about trying, just go! read more

I have always been pleased with my meal and the service I receive when eating at Pocha!! Kye-won and her family work as a well oiled machine running the kitchen! They strive for perfection and if anything is not to your or their satisfaction they make another! ( I was once late picking up my to go meal, kye-won decided she would not serve me a cold meal and made me another one, but never told me) I found out later from a friend about her kind gesture!! Just the kind of business owner she is!! I WILL ALWAYS HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ESTABLISHMENT TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!! read more

We are lucky to have such a phenomenal culinary experience north of Pittsburgh! if you're new to Korean food, ask Kye-Won, she won't steer you wrong. There is literally something for everyone here. The only thing that tops the food, is the service, these ladies love their customers! read more

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This place is so good and the owner is fantastic! It's been years since I had authentic Korean and my husband never has and it did not disappoint! Everything was delish and dumplings are a must try!! If you've never tried Korean, start with this place and bonus they partner with Grist House and it's in a grocery store so you can shop, eat and drink! read more