Jamie Lee first met her Korean-born husband James while celebrating her sister’s birthday at Miki Japanese Restaurant, where he was head sushi chef. Now the couple has bought Miki from his retired uncle, Kung Lee, and reopened as a Korean gastropub, HanJan Pocha House.
Founded in 1987 by Ann Lin (June 2024 Marketplace Changes, The Un-Retirement of Ann Linn), Miki was a sushi destination. But Jamie Lee, sensing market saturation, says they’re eager to start with something different here, though they’ll eventually offer some sushi and sashimi too.
Their new concept is inspired by the Korean street food-and-drink tents and carts called pochas. Dishes ranging from the $9 pan-fried mandu (veggie dumplings) to the $37 jokbal (braised pig feet) are meant to be shared over the course of hours.
“It’s different than the experience of going out to dinner,” she says. “It’s like you’re coming there to hang out, catch up, and, you know, maybe meet the table next to you.”
HanJan translates idiomatically as “one shot,” particularly of soju. The vodka-like spirit distilled from grains, traditionally rice, is central to their nearly all-Asian drink menu.
Miki’s booths are about all that remains of the remade interior, which includes low-set pocha tables made from oil drums to promote an atmosphere of casual sociability.
HanJan Pocha House, 106 S. First St. (734) 418–7594. Sun.–Wed. 5 p.m.–12:30 a.m., Thurs. 5 p.m.–1 a.m., Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m.–2 a.m.
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