Hanam braised pollock and seafood pancake on a weekday off: Appa Jjim

How do you get to Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch?

Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch (아빠찜 하남본점) is a braised pollock (kodari jorim) restaurant 574 m from Exit 1 of Pungsan Station, right in front of the Hanam Nanul Library. My husband and I took a day off work, and on a rare relaxed weekday I spent ages wondering what we should eat to really refresh ourselves. This is the place I found. I worked hard on this post, so I hope you'll come away knowing a good spot where you can escape the busy city and enjoy a perfect meal without parking stress.

It's easy to reach by public transport, and since it's on the way to Hanam Starfield, it's also very accessible by car. It's right in front of the Hanam Nanul Library and a 3-minute walk from the E-Mart in Deokpung-dong, so finding it was really easy.

After passing E-Mart, we turned at the Hanam Nonghyup intersection onto the street beside the Full Gospel church, and after a short walk a neat standalone building came into view straight ahead. When I came last time on a weekend it was packed, and those red chairs were full of waiting people. This time it was around 2pm on a weekday, so thankfully it was fairly quiet.

Is the inside of Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch good for get-togethers?

The hall is wide open with generously spaced tables, which suits family gatherings or a date. Isn't it so annoying when you go to a restaurant and it's so noisy you can hear every word from the next table, with tables crammed together? The inside here is so pleasant and spacious that it wiped those worries away completely.

With roomy spacing between tables, plus room-style seating and group tables, it was an ideal space for a private gathering or a quiet conversation over a meal. The whole hall was kept clean without a single sticky spot, so even my husband, who is sensitive about hygiene, sat down at ease. Good light came in through the windows and the staff were lively and friendly, so it felt good from the first impression.

What are the hours and parking at Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch?

Appa Jjim is open daily from 11:10 am to 9:50 pm, and there is a private parking area in the front yard of the building. With today's prices I wondered whether a hearty seafood dish was really possible at this price, but when I looked at the menu myself, the prices were reasonable for the ingredients and portions, and I could see why it has a reputation as a lunch spot in Misa.

• Hours: daily 11:10 am–9:50 pm
• Break time: 3:00–3:30 pm
• Last order: 8:50 pm
• Parking: private lot in the front yard, with parking attendants guiding you

The front yard has a big private parking lot, and we followed the attendant, parked comfortably and walked in. Looking at the menu, my husband and I chatted about value, wondering how they made the sauce to offer this much at this price.

How was the small siraegi braised pollock?

The two of us ordered the small siraegi (dried radish greens) braised pollock for ₩35,000, the seafood pancake for ₩16,000, and hyangmi pot rice for two.

First a staff member brought the pollock and deboned it right in front of us so it was easy to eat. As soon as it was set down, the overwhelming look of the siraegi braised pollock, soaked in deep red sauce, made us gasp with delight.

I took a bite of the plump pollock the staff had prepared, and right away I could feel a chewy yet tender texture with no dryness at all.

The sweet and spicy house sauce had soaked deep into the flesh, and the addictive savory depth that isn't harsh yet keeps your chopsticks moving was a work of art. It was fun to eat in different ways: dipping the accompanying bean sprouts in the sauce for a crunchy bite, or eating the siraegi together with the pollock.

How do the hyangmi pot rice and seafood pancake pair with the braised pollock?

The moment I lifted the lid of the hyangmi pot rice, a nutty rice aroma spread. I laid the soft siraegi on top of the rice and mixed it with the pollock, and it was truly a rice thief (a dish that makes you finish the rice).

The thick seafood pancake was crisp outside and packed with fresh seafood inside, and eating it alternately with the spicy pollock sauce made a great pairing.

Is Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch worth going back to?

My husband and I promised each other we'd come back with my parents next time. If you're tired of artificial seasoning flavors, I think you'll become a regular the moment you visit.

Even as we walked out the door, saying we'd taken a day off and had a successful lunch, the good afterglow didn't fade. My stomach wasn't bloated but comfortable, and I felt properly treated and full. If you want reliable flavor and generous hospitality near Hanam, Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch is the wisest choice.