Hanam Misa braised pollock lunch with roadside parking: Appa Jjim

A review of Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch, a spot known for braised pollock and seafood pancake. I'd just finished a short diet haha and was trying to decide on my first real meal back — braised pollock! I'd eaten it here before and it was so good I couldn't stop thinking about it >_< hahahaha. Appa Jjim is already well known around Hanam Misa and Starfield for its monkfish and braised pollock, and since they use a patented cooking method for that sweet-and-spicy braise, I went in with high expectations again^^

Where is Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch, and where do you park?

Appa Jjim is over in the Deokpung-dong/Pungsan-dong area, close enough by car to Misa Gyeongjeong Park and Starfield Hanam that it fits perfectly into a weekend outing or dinner plan~

There's a spacious dedicated parking lot right in front, so even during weekend peak hours or group gatherings — family meals, work dinners — you can visit without worrying about parking! The photo of the lot here was taken after we finished eating, when spots had opened up, but there were none available when we first arrived. The parking attendant directed us to the roadside instead, and it turns out roadside parking is allowed during lunch hours, from 11:30am to 2pm. Good to know they allow that!ㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎ

Inside Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch on a weekday at 1:30pm

We came on a weekday at 1:30pm, and the place was packed — every table full except two, including the group seating in the back! The atmosphere was cozy but the tables were still spaced comfortably, making it a relaxed spot to bring parents or dine with young kids~

While waiting, I glanced toward the kitchen and saw a sign that read, "With care and effort, so our guests' wait is never wasted!" That line really stuck with me. And honestly, the food and the service backed it up completely^^

With care and effort, so our guests' wait is never wasted!

Appa Jjim menu, the 11am–3pm lunch set and current events

Appa Jjim's menu covers braised dishes like braised pollock, braised roe and milt, monkfish jjim, and seafood jjim, plus soups like seafood stew, roe soup, and monkfish hangover soup — just reading the menu felt refreshing. During lunch hours (11am–3pm) there's a braised pollock + hyangmi pot rice set, so you can eat well without breaking the bank!

There's also a Naver receipt review event running — leave a review and get shrimp tempura or a drink~

You can also collect a coupon stamp for meals over ₩30,000~

What we ordered: braised pollock with dried radish greens for two, plus sides

We ordered the small braised pollock with dried radish greens for two, hyangmi pot rice, cheese fried rice, and crispy seafood pancake!

First up, the braised pollock with dried radish greens~ Appa Jjim says they cook it with high-temperature steam at 180°C over maban stone, keeping the seafood's springy texture while bringing out deep, natural umami without it being overly sharp — I was curious just how good that would taste!

Maybe because of the high-heat steaming, the pollock flesh wasn't dry at all — it was tender, moist, and springy!

The thick-cut radish was also beautifully soft, cooked through with the sauce soaked all the way in — really delicious~

Piling on the deeply seasoned dried radish greens with the pollock flesh, the sweet-spicy umami just exploded! The greens were so soft they practically melted in my mouth^^

How were the cheese fried rice and hyangmi pot rice?

The cheese fried rice came out stir-fried in a sauce similar to the braised pollock, piled high with savory melted cheese that made it look amazing on its own~ The stretchy cheese paired with the spicy fried rice made it impossible to put the spoon down, even when I was already full~

The pot rice, freshly cooked with suhyangmi rice, released a nutty rice aroma the moment I opened the lid! I mixed the chewy rice with the seasoned dried radish greens and pollock, and finished with the scorched rice crust soup at the end — it was the perfect meal~

Crispy seafood pancake, the side that tames the spice

The crispy seafood pancake lived up to its name — crunchy like a cracker on the outside, and moist and packed with seafood on the inside~ It nicely mellowed out the spiciness of the braised pollock with its savory flavor — glad we ordered it, best side dish of the meal!^^ So crispy~

Who should eat at Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch?

Appa Jjim was so delicious! And the staff were kind, every single one of them! I wanted to linger a bit longer, so they even brought out mix coffee — which I don't usually drink — and even that was tasty!ㅎㅎㅎㅎ

If you're near Deokpung-dong, Misa, or Starfield in Hanam and looking for a family dinner spot or a proper monkfish/braised pollock restaurant, I'd strongly recommend visiting without hesitation~