Retro Korean pub in Gwang-an, Busan: coin snacks at Maenggu Pocha
In short
Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch is a retro-style Korean pub (pocha) on Namcheonbada-ro in the Gwangalli area of Suyeong, Busan. On a repeat Friday night visit with my partner, I looked over the fish tank out front, the interior strung with colored bulbs, the entry coins you swap for old-school snacks, and the chalkboard wall covered in customer graffiti. Maenggu Pocha is neither a predictable sashimi restaurant nor a bar with weak food, so I would go back 100%.
Good to know
- First order minimum
- 20,000 won or more on the first order
- Time limit
- 2 hours 30 minutes when there is a wait
- Ordering
- Tablet ordering device on every table
- Reservations
- CatchTable reservation kiosk on site
- Events
- Swap the coin given at entry for a snack; review event running
- Price reference
- ₩20,000 ≈ $15 (2026-09-15)
as written by the visitor on Sep 13, 2026
These days the sea breeze in the evenings has gotten nice and cool, which makes Gwang-an the perfect spot for an outing. Fellow neighbors, are you all making the most of this lovely season with the people you love?
I'm here to introduce a spot I visited multiple times with my partner for a Friday night out. It's known as a Gwang-an go-to bar: Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch. Cutting to the conclusion — it's not a generic raw fish restaurant, nor a regular bar with weak side dishes. 100% return visit for me!
What Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch looks like outside, fish tank included
Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch is a retro-vibe pocha (Korean street-style pub) on Namcheonbada-ro 33beon-gil, in the Gwang-an area of Suyeong-gu, Busan. The retro feel hits you right from the exterior, doesn't it?!
The aquarium out front caught my eye with fresh seafood and live fish swimming around. You could really tell the owner is serious about aquarium upkeep and personally selects everything — it showed.
Next to the entrance there's a menu screen that draws you in. They also have a CatchTable reservation kiosk set up, so reservation guests are well taken care of.
Inside Maenggu Pocha: retro bulbs and a Friday night with my partner
The inside of Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch is old-school indoor pocha style, through and through. Colorful string lights run along the ceiling in a row, and underneath sit round stainless steel tables with black plastic chairs.
Each table has a tablet ordering device decorated with a dinosaur character, so even amid all the retro atmosphere, ordering is still convenient.
How the entry coin works: old-school snacks you swap it for
Next to the counter, they display nostalgic snacks like Chupa Chups lollipops and sour jellies, and the fun part is you get coins upon entry that you can trade in for these snacks.
They're also running a review event, so make sure to join in and get the perk!
The graffiti chalkboard wall and what to know before you go
Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch has a chalkboard wall covered in graffiti left by guests, and it was genuinely fun to browse — almost like reading a guestbook.
There's also info written up noting a ₩20,000 minimum for the first order and a 2-hour-30-minute time limit if there's a waitlist, so knowing that ahead of time makes for a smoother visit. The Jjanggu and Maenggu drawings are so cute~
Where it is
72 Namcheonbada-ro 33beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea부산광역시 수영구 남천바다로33번길 72 1층
