Pocapoca brings international inspiration – and pastries
A cafe is bringing new flavours to Christchurch’s brunch scene from Auckland and beyond — and it doesn’t include a big breakfast or bacon.
Pocapoca cafe in Hoon Hay is serving an Italian menu with an Asian twist, inspired by the Chinese owner’s time in North Island hospitality.
When Herman Fu operated an espresso bar in Auckland for several years, after managing Coffee Club Riccarton, he had plenty of patrons, but the cafe next door was doing a better trade with its food.
“That’s when I realised I wanted to be a chef,” Fu said. “I wanted to make [an eatery] as successful as the cafe next door.”
He chased his dream and went on to work at several top restaurants in the city of sails, including Amano where he discovered the recipe for one of his favourite dishes: scampi pasta.
“I’ve brought lots of popular dishes from Auckland to Christchurch.”
But he also likes to combine them with an Asian twist, a nod to his Chinese heritage, and his wife who is from Japan. It was his wife who also influenced the name Pocapoca, which means cosy in Japanese.
Among the menu items are spiced pork mince noodles and miso dressing salad.
The cabinet food is limited — there’s no sausage rolls or slices, he said — but what is on offer has been tried and tested by Fu, including a hybrid of a waffle and a croissant, a croffle. Many of the pastries are imported from France frozen and baked every morning.
“I’ve been to so many bakeries and tried pain au raisin, but the one in our shop, I like it the most.”
Pocapoca has a “modern brunch style” that’s “different from a classic cafe.
“We don’t have English big breakfast, no sausage, tomato, mushrooms or bacon; everything is a little bit of a new style for Christchurch.”
Fu said he liked to share some of his favourite foods with customers. “All these things on the menu, and the pastry, it’s because I love these things, that’s why I put them on the menu. I think other people will also like them.”
With his background in coffee, he also ensures he uses one of the best local beans: Supreme Coffee. “I focus on good quality coffee and good quality food.”
Pocapoca is at 144 Cashmere Rd, Hoon Hay, Christchurch.