Maguro Group to open BBQ restaurant in Chinatown

Set to open later this year on Wardour Street, Maguro Group’s latest restaurant is inspired by Pocha, a shortened version of the word Pojangmacha, which refers to a Korean street food stall or restaurant on wheels. 

As such the 1,670 sq ft site will be focused on street food dishes, including tofu kimchi and a ramen-tteokbokki hybrid called rabokki, and a spicy squid and pork stir-fry called osam-bulgogi. 

Exclusively importing Korean spirit, soju, the restaurant’s drinks menu will feature traditional East Asian drinks and a casual cocktail menu. 

Inspired by Korean pubs, the dining room will seat 50 and is billed as a ‘K-culture playground’. 

Founded in 2009, Maguro Group's portfolio includes Bullgogi in Notting Hill, Gogi in Marylebone, Bunsik by Leicester Square and Maida Vale restaurants Maguro and Itaewon. 

“Pochawa Grill is something we have been extremely excited about for a while now, and we are delighted to be announcing the next step in Maguro Group’s culinary journey,” says Maguro Group director Jae Cho. 

“Chinatown London is one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting dining scenes, and a must have location for East Asian concepts, so it feels only natural to launch our first K-culture inspired restaurant here.”

“Chinatown London continues to attract debut concepts, from proven operators in the UK and across the ESEA region,” says Julia Wilkinson restaurant director for the enclave’s key landlord Shaftesbury. 

“Maguro Group’s Pochawa Grill will be a great addition to the bustling Wardour Street, further reflecting the trends and traditions our community love, and have come to expect from Chinatown London.”

Other new restaurant concepts set for Chinatown London include hand-pulled noodle concept Kung Fu Noodle, Sichuan soup restaurant Zhang Liang Malatang and Hong Kong café and restaurant The Eight.