TREASURE & INSPIRE: Poké Box and Phansi Museum fuse heritage in Durban
Culinary roots and traditions preserved, cultivated, created as Hawaii meets Vietnam meets Korea meets Zulu customs and culture in the cool café Thomas Wright has created at the Phansi Museum. Two ‘hidden’ suburban Glenwood gems, one address.
Durban's Phansi Museum has become a fusion of culinary heritage and African art with the establishment of Thomas Wright's Poké Box, located within the museum's premises. Wright's Poké Box is a hidden gem in Glenwood, South Africa, where his menu fuses Asian, Vietnamese, Korean, and Zulu customs with local ingredients. As a cultural conservationist and architect, Paul Mikula, a 2023 UKZN honorary doctorate recipient, runs Phansi Museum and its trove of African art and artefacts, with the motto: "We exist to treasure, share and inspire."
Mikula's Poké Box story began with a converted garage, which later expanded into a bustling eatery in Glenwood. It has since become a hub for movie nights, dance club nights, music nights, and art exhibitions. His menu features deconstructed sushi-style poke bowls, Asian street food, ramen, Korean-style toasted sarmies, and a range of signature poké options, including free-range smoked chicken box, sesame-marinated tofu, and trout ceviche. Additionally, new additions include a short menu of pasta classics.
Local legend Gloria Hoff, a former KZNSA gallery worker who was involuntarily retired after 45 years, led the charge to bring Wright's Poké Box to Phansi Museum. She supported the move after the café had no indoor or outdoor space in Phansi. To dine in, customers can order through a hatch in the wall or press a buzzer. The museum's security gate is often closed, but inside, guests can enjoy a unique and lively atmosphere.
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