Pune on My Plate: here are 3 city spots that bring the Korean hype to the table

Indian Express

11-07-2025

Whether you are a K-pop fan, a K-drama binge-watcher, or just someone who loves good food, Pune's newest Korean cafés and restaurants are serving up everything from spicy tteokbokki to Instagram-worthy Dalgona coffee. Think croffles, Soju cocktails, bubble teas, and Seoul-style street food, all in vibrant, feel-good spaces. Here are three Korean spots in Pune that are bringing the K-hype to the table:
If you have ever dreamed of wandering through Seoul's neon-lit streets with bubble tea in one hand and fried chicken in the other, Ba Da Bom in Pune might be your new favourite hangout. Opened in November 2024, this all-day café and bar blends bold Korean flavours with a playful, social vibe.
'We wanted to bring something truly Korean to Pune, beyond just traditional food,' says Siri Marella, restaurant manager at Ba Da Bom.
The menu features Korean favourites like kimchi mandu, dak-galbi, hotteok, silken steamed tofu, and menbosha. Rice bowls such as bibimbap, bulgogi deopbap, kimchi rice, and shroom rice add to the comfort food appeal. Their fried chicken comes in flavour-packed options like bburinkle and yangnyeom.
The name Ba Da Bom, Marella says, reflects the spirit of the place. 'It roughly translates to excess and abundance.' She adds, 'Our goal was to recreate the lively energy of Korea's streets where people unwind after work over food, drinks, and maybe even a game of Tekken.'
By day, the café serves up specialty coffee, flavoured milks, and popular treats like croffles (croissant-waffles) and mascarpone toast. At night, it transforms into a buzzing bar offering Korean-inspired cocktails and Soju.
Marella says, 'Our space changes with the time of day. In the morning, it is calm and cosy with coffee and bakes, but by evening, it transforms into a vibrant bar. That rhythm keeps things exciting.'
She continues, 'Our Soju menu and signature cocktails are inspired by Korean flavours, but designed for the Pune crowd. It is where authenticity meets experimentation.'
Customer favourites include crispy Korean fried chicken, Bibimbap, kimchi rice and a variety of matcha and bubble teas. While not strictly traditional, the food is rooted in authentic recipes with thoughtful local touches.
Speaking about the response of the Pune crowd, Marella says, 'It has been amazing. We have become a neighbourhood spot for those who love Korean culture or are simply curious.'
The food here is priced between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
Started by Indraja and Srihari Khaladkar as a cloud kitchen amid the pandemic in 2020, Iya's Korean Kitchen became a full-time restaurant in 2022. Indraja, whose pet name is Iya, says the place is now known for its authentic flavours, creative fusion, and homestyle Korean meals. 'About 25 to 30 per cent of our ingredients are directly sourced from Korea, but staples like kimchi and tteokbokki are made in-house,' she says.
The menu reflects a balance between authenticity and innovation, from Korean ketchup-style gochujang blended with Indian hot and sweet sauces to vegetarian, Jain, and even vegan versions of classic Korean meals.
Iya's Korean Kitchen serves Korean favourites like dolsot bibimbap, kimchi fried rice, tteokbokki, rabokki, japchae, shin ramyun, and jjajangmyeon. Set meals like hanjeongsik come with soup, sticky rice, and classic banchan such as egg rolls, pickled radish, and soy-braised eggs, staples of Korean dining.
'We do not copy blindly. We tweak thoughtfully. Customer curiosity has also helped shape the menu. Adaptability is our strength,' Indraja adds, summing up the kitchen's spirit of evolving without losing its essence.
'The price range is very affordable at around Rs 500 per person,' she says.
Café Dalgona, launched in July 2023, has become a favourite among those craving authentic Korean flavours in a calm, cosy setting. With nearly a decade of experience in Korean cuisine, founder Joseph Chhetry set out to create a casual dining space where guests could enjoy both coffee and hearty meals.
'We wanted a place where people could relax with a pastry or have a full dinner, all under one roof. Authenticity and quality at affordable prices are what we stand for,' says Benjamin, the manager at Café Dalgona. 'The focus has always been on serving authentic food made with premium ingredients at affordable prices.'
Menu highlights at Café Dalgona include tteokbokki, kimchi jjigae, bulgogi, Korean soy sauce soup, pork deopbap, Korean fried chicken, Dalgona coffee, iced teas, and twisted donuts.
The name Dalgona was chosen for its familiarity and charm, inspired by the popular coffee and its playful sound. Customer favourites include tteokbokki, kimchi jjigae, Korean fried chicken, and the signature Dalgona coffee.
Benjamin says, 'We do not change our recipes to suit local tastes. Many of our guests are native Koreans, and staying true to the food matters.'
As Korean culture gains popularity in India, Café Dalgona offers comfort, flavour, and community all within an affordable range of Rs 500-900.
Kivi Lydia Vito is an intern with The Indian Express.