Famous Woodlands Restaurant Brings Fried Chicken to Midtown Houston

Members of the Kahani social group. Courtesy photo.

Kahani Social Groupcomposed of brothers Surprising And Preet Paul Singh and executive chef Jassi Bindraenjoyed success at The Woodlands with its upscale Indian restaurant, Amrina. Now, it’s looking to also charm residents and visitors to downtown Houston with a more casual concept. Pok Pok Poa “fried chicken lounge”, takes over the former Artisans space in The mix in Midtown at 3201 Louisiana. The center also houses other restaurants such as JINYA Ramen Bar, Gen Korean BBQ, Cloud 10 Creamery And at Piola.

Since Amrina opened in 2022, Bindra’s fine Indian cuisine has been widely praised both inside and outside the restaurant. In August 2023, it won an episode of “Chopped” on the Food Network. Closer to home, he won first place in a caviar competition organized by DR Delicacy (the same company that hosts the annual conference The Truffle Masters event) for its Crispy caviar with yellowfin tuna, avocado, Granny Smith apple and sesame. Amrina was also nominated by Southern Living as one of the 20 must-see restaurants on a Houston food tour.

Pok Pok Po promises “designed by experts fried chicken, complemented by a selection of inventive sides and house-made condiments and sauces.” The style of fried chicken that Bindra prepares is breaded with a mixture of herbs and spices and fried twice.

“The inspiration for Pok Pok Po came from the overwhelming success of our fried chicken brunches at Amrina,” Singh said via press release. “We knew there was something truly special about our fried chicken, and we’re excited to bring that magic to Pok Pok Po.”

While there are few details available at this time about the space, the atmosphere is intended to be casual, inviting and a place where people can socialize and even hang out and work if they wish.

Pok Pok Po is expected to open in late summer.

Phaedra Cook has been writing about the Houston restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She has been a regular contributor to My table magazine (now closed) and was the chief food critic of the Houston Press for two years, before finally being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has served as its editor and publisher ever since.

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