Montreal's biggest Korean food fest is returning with 20+ restos and K-pop dance parties

One of Montreal's most hyped food festivals is coming back this summer, and you'll want to bring more than just your appetite.

POCHA MTL, the Korean street food and K-pop celebration, is returning to Peel Basin in Griffintown from July 24 to 27, and it's shaping up to be one of the liveliest weekends of the season.

If you've never been, here's the vibe: sizzling Korean BBQ, deep-fried kogos, dumplings, noodles, drinks, dance circles, music, and a ton of K-pop energy. It's part night market, part street party, and part fan fest, with a merchant zone and food stalls bringing a taste of Seoul to Montreal.

As for the food, POCHA MTL will feature over 20 vendors serving up all kinds of Korean street eats, from fried chicken and tteokbokki to croffles and yakult drinks. You’ll be able to grab bites from spots like Ganadara Verdun, Katsuya, Cloud 8, Dano, and The Crazy Chickens — with plenty more to discover.

This year's cultural programming spans all four days and includes everything from freestyle battles and martial arts demos to vocal performances, open mic stages, and multiple K-pop Random Play Dances.

Thursday night opens with a full lineup of dance workshops and performances, while Saturday features a full K-pop dance competition followed by taekwondo and open mic sessions into the night. Sunday closes out with live sets from 2KSQUAD and one last crowd-powered dance session.

The festival is also very pet-friendly. And if you're the proud owner of a Pomeranian, Poodle, or Bichon, you get in for free. Same deal if you show up wearing a traditional Korean hanbok. Kids under 12 and seniors 65+ also don't pay admission.

Last year's edition drew over 25,000 visitors, and organizers say they're expecting even more this time around. Entry is $4 if you buy online ahead of time or $5 at the gate.

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