OCKHEE

Seoul soul floods Ponsonby Road with the arrival of Ockhee, a Korean charmer with a heartwarming personality and obsession with soulful grub.

Decked out with vintage, turquoise diner chairs and vinyl playing sweet 70s soul, you’ll have to remind yourself Ockhee didn’t just roll straight in from the States. Not a hipster or an Instagram filter in sight, just a cool (but not trying to be) eatery that feels like it’s always been there.

Ockhee reads like an unconventional choose-your-own-adventure: snacks, tradition, Seoul food classics and party favours – make sure to soak in a few of the lighter bites before embarking on a tour of their larger dishes, each crafted in-house with largely vegan, dairy free ingredients.

The charming menu offers up all sorts of delights, first and foremost starting with those trusty "mandu" dumplings. Dip them into a citrus soy dipping sauce or relish in the fact you’re getting authentic Korean grub. For the bolder, the spicy pork and kimchi hot plate is a welcome challenge. Escape the winter chills with one of their hearty warm stews, along with the glazed Korean fried chicken. Or for something lighter, an order of their famous Chun Sa Chae noodle salad promises to be a refreshing accompaniment for your table.

The venue's simple charms, with a little mix of soulful aesthetics and engaging pastel details of turquoise and that special 70s wallpaper make it an outstanding and vibrant location for lunch or dinner, with refreshing drinks and good banter. So hop along. Just wait ‘til you meet Ockhee. No one can resist.