Cocha Korean Restaurant at Go Shinjuku

Trendy Korean-Chinese restaurant in Hyakunincho serving kanjang gejang, UFO-style mala shabu and samgyeopsal tacos.

Cocha is one of the buzzier openings in the Hyakunincho and Shin-Okubo border, a Korean-Chinese restaurant that leans into the trendiest corners of Seoul current food scene. The signature is a fire-seared kanjang gejang, a soy-marinated raw crab that the kitchen hits with high heat at the table for an extra-umami hit.\n\nThe rest of the menu is built around a few viral Korean dishes, including the UFO-style mala shabu, a circular pot with a spicy centre and a ring of ingredients around the edge, plus samgyeopsal tacos that come hanging on a hook for a bit of theatre. The room is bright and modern, with a mix of booths, private rooms and a few high tables, and it is popular for groups, birthdays and the kind of long, drink-heavy dinner Seoul is famous for.\n\nFor a Shinjuku dinner that wants the most-talked-about Korean food of the moment in a buzzy, easy-to-book room, Cocha is a strong pick. Book ahead, especially for weekend evenings and groups of four or more.