Hanam seafood braise restaurant, 60,000 won lunch for two: Appa Jjim

Today I'm bringing you an honest review of Appa Jjim Main Branch, already a word-of-mouth favorite in Hanam and a place to enjoy properly done seafood dishes and braises. From 180-degree high-temperature steamed ocean stone monkfish stew to fiery braised pollock, this is the spot for hearty, well-made Korean food near Hanam Pungsan Station and the Misa motorboat racing park.

I love seafood stews, monkfish stew, and braised pollock in general, so I always make a point of visiting places with a reputation. This time I went with family for lunch, and from the sheer scale of the place to the neat side dishes and the umami-packed main dishes, I really understood why people keep coming back.

For anyone planning a family meal, a company dinner, or just looking for a solid Misa lunch option, let me walk you through the exterior, the interior amenities, the menu, and the food we actually ordered and tasted!

Where is Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch, and is parking easy?

Appa Jjim Main Branch is a large standalone building on Wolho-ro, near Hanam Pungsan Station and the Misa motorboat racing park. There's a spacious private parking lot in front of and beside the restaurant, so even inexperienced drivers can park without any worry.

The clean, trustworthy large signboard proudly declares itself "the world's first ocean stone monkfish stew," building up your anticipation for the food before you even step inside.

Inside Appa Jjim: sign zone, coffee machine and marinated crab for sale

Walking into Appa Jjim Main Branch, you're greeted by a wide, open dining hall, and the clean, hygienic management is obvious at a glance.

1. The celebrity autograph wall at the entrance

Near the entrance counter, there's a neat display of framed autographs from numerous celebrities and public figures! Seeing signatures and messages from names you'd instantly recognize made me think, "yep, this really is a recognized Hanam seafood restaurant."

2. Brewed coffee machine and ice cream corner (1,000 won)

On the way out after your meal, there's a well-equipped dessert corner for customers. There's a Venusta premium coffee vending machine for a clean finish after eating, and right next to it a freezer stocked with nostalgic bar ice cream (like the corn-shaped kind) for just ₩1,000 cash, a hit with kids or anyone craving something sweet.

3. 'Minam Gejang' marinated crab meal kits in the display case

Beside the counter, there's a dedicated refrigerated case selling neatly packaged soy sauce marinated crab and spicy marinated crab from the 'Minam Gejang' brand. Signs promising the crab is made from female blue crabs from Yeonpyeong Island, not fishy or salty, plus "only the finest blue crab — refund if it's not delicious, guaranteed" show how strictly even the sauce is managed. Plenty of people were buying some as gifts or to take home as a side dish.

Appa Jjim menu: elvan-stone steamed seafood and lunch sets

According to the wall description, Appa Jjim has used know-how passed down since 1973, using 180°C high-temperature steamed ocean stone to lock in the juices and nutrients of the seafood. The ocean stone, containing 45 types of minerals, apparently keeps the monkfish's natural sweetness and nutrition intact while also being good for your health!

Each table has a tablet POS system as well as a paper menu, so you can easily check the options.

• Braised/steamed dishes: ocean stone monkfish stew, ocean stone salmani monkfish stew, 180-steam seafood stew, chewy egg roe stew, cuttlefish and pollock braise, radish greens and pollock braise, Sokcho-style pollock braise, and more
• Soups: ocean seafood soup, chewy pollock roe soup, monkfish hangover soup
• Lunch set menus (11am–3pm): radish greens pollock + fragrant pot rice, pollock + fragrant pot rice, braised hairtail + fragrant pot rice (minimum 2 people)
• Sides and single dishes: crispy seafood pancake, cuttlefish sashimi, nourishing kalguksu (noodle soup), pork loin cutlet, kids' shrimp fried rice, flying fish roe/cheese/plain fried rice, and more

The menu was so varied it felt like the perfect lineup for the whole family — from elders craving a spicy Hanam pollock dish to kids wanting cutlet or fried rice.

What two people ordered for lunch, and the 60,000 won bill

Our total bill at Appa Jjim Main Branch that day was ₩60,000. We ordered carefully after checking everything on the tablet screen.

• Radish greens and braised pollock (small/2 people): ₩35,000
• Spice level: original flavor (recommended)
• Rice choice: fragrant pot rice x2 (+₩5,000)
• Topping option: extra radish greens x1 (+₩5,000)
• Cuttlefish sashimi: ₩15,000

1. Braised half-dried pollock (small) with extra radish greens and pot rice

A perfect match of braising sauce and radish greens: it really lived up to its reputation as a Hanam pollock restaurant! The radish greens were boiled until tender and soaked in a spicy-sweet, deep braising sauce. We love radish greens so much that we paid the extra ₩5,000 for a topping, and the portion was so generous it was clearly the right call.

Plump, chewy pollock flesh: the pollock meat was so thick and springy that pulling off a big chunk with chopsticks and dipping it in the concentrated braising sauce practically made you eat an extra bowl of rice. We chose the original flavor, and it was just the right amount of spicy — never tiring, kept us reaching for more.

Savory fragrant pot rice: the pot rice came out freshly steamed and steaming hot, with plump, glossy grains. We spooned some onto the plate, topped it with the spicy pollock and radish greens, mixed it all together, then poured hot water into the pot for a scorched-rice tea finish that left us fully satisfied and comfortable. As a Misa lunch option, it delivers on both value and satisfaction!

2. The side dish to add: blanched cuttlefish, 15,000 won

Chewy, tender texture: as a side to go with the spicy braise, we ordered cuttlefish sashimi (₩15,000), and it arrived showing off its white, thick pieces right away.

A refreshing appeal: nowhere near chewy or tough, it had a springy bite that released the cuttlefish's characteristic sweetness the more you chewed. Whether dipped lightly in vinegared gochujang or dunked in the spicy braising sauce from the radish greens pollock, it made for an excellent combination.

Verdict: who should eat at Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch

If you're looking for properly made seafood dishes or Korean-style braises near Hanam Pungsan Station, Appa Jjim Main Branch is a foolproof choice.

• Taste & quality: the distinctive seafood dishes made with 180-degree ocean stone steaming, fresh ingredients, and an addictively spicy-sweet sauce combination are excellent.
• Service & convenience: a spacious private parking lot, a tidy celebrity sign zone, a dessert coffee vending machine and ice cream, packaged crab for sale — thoughtful touches for guests stood out.
• Who it's for: anyone looking for a solid Misa lunch set, or groups and diners searching for a hearty Hanam seafood stew restaurant or Hanam braised pollock restaurant — highly recommended!

Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch: address, hours and contact

• Name: Appa Jjim Main Branch
• Address: 60 Wolho-ro, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (near Hanam Pungsan Station Exit 1)
• Hours: Daily 11:00–21:50 (last order 20:50 / lunch special 11:00–15:00)
• Key amenities: dedicated parking lot, takeout/delivery available, group seating, tablet POS ordering, coffee vending machine