Hanam stone-steamed pollock restaurant, lunch with a friend: Appa Jjim

Where is Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch, and why did we go?

Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch (아빠찜 하남본점) is a braised pollock and monkfish stew restaurant on Wolho-ro in Deokpung-dong, Hanam. I picked it for a lunch with a friend who lives in Misa. She told me the Appa Jjim in Deokpung-dong was great, so we agreed to meet there.

People say they do braised pollock properly, and that there's a line to get in, haha. They cook with Banseok (맥반석, a heated stone) steam, which sounded unusual, so I was curious and went, haha.

The restaurant is close to Pungsan and Deokpung-dong, and also near Misa Boat Race Park and Starfield Hanam. It's a place people come to when they're searching for good monkfish stew or braised pollock in Hanam.

Is parking easy at Appa Jjim Hanam?

The restaurant has a large private parking lot, so it seems convenient for family meals, company dinners and group gatherings. There was an attendant helping with parking, which made it even easier. They also hand you a free wet wipe on the way out, haha :)

Atmosphere and reservation tips

Appa Jjim is popular enough that lines form at lunchtime, so I recommend reserving ahead on Naver. I made a Naver reservation before visiting too.

The mood was warm and homey. Like the name "Appa Jjim" (Dad's Steamed Dish), it felt like a space filled with a family's warm heart. The restaurant was clean and spacious, with lots of families, so it felt lively and comfortable^^ The staff were all friendly too, which made the meal even nicer. Maybe because they insist on fresh ingredients and honest cooking, you can feel that sincerity in the space as well.

There are group rooms too, so it seems good for company dinners and group gatherings :)

What makes Appa Jjim's Banseok steam cooking different?

Appa Jjim says it cooks with 180-degree high-heat Banseok steam. The cooking method itself is different from ordinary braising or steaming, apparently! The far-infrared heat of the Banseok stone and the high-temperature steam cook the ingredients evenly to the core, so the seafood turns out tender and springy and the seasoning soaks all the way in.

They use only natural seasonings, so the flavor isn't harsh but still has a rich savory depth. It's a taste anyone, young or old, can enjoy without a problem^^ The rice is Suhyangmi (수향미) pot rice, made with a rice that has a faint sweet aroma and a nice stickiness, so the pot rice itself tastes wonderful.

Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch menu

Steamed and braised dishes

• Sokcho braised pollock (속초 코다리조림): the signature dish, braised with siraegi (dried radish greens) by Banseok steam
• Banseok monkfish stew (맥반석 아구찜): monkfish cooked with high-heat Banseok steam
• Seafood stew (해물찜): tender, springy seafood cooked with natural seasonings

Meals

• Fragrant pot rice (향미 솥밥): pot rice made with Suhyangmi rice
• Lunch set (점심 정식): braised pollock + pot rice (weekday lunch)

Sides

• Seafood pancake (해물파전)
• Blanched cuttlefish (갑오징어 숙회)
• Health kalguksu (보양 칼국수, noodle soup)
• Pork loin cutlet (등심 돈까스)
• Kids' shrimp fried rice (어린이새우 볶음밥)

We ordered the siraegi braised pollock (small), the seafood pancake, and added one extra pot rice.

How does the small siraegi braised pollock taste, and how big is it?

The siraegi braised pollock is Appa Jjim's signature dish, and even the small size was plenty for two. The pollock kept its shape without falling apart, yet the seasoning had soaked all the way in! Unlike ordinary braised fish, the Banseok steam left the flesh wonderfully tender.

The siraegi had gone soft and was packed with the braising sauce. Because they use natural seasonings, it wasn't harsh, and a gentle savory flavor came through.

There was plenty of pollock meat, and the sauce was rich and delicious. Spoon it over the pot rice and I bet a whole bowl would vanish in no time^^

How is the Suhyangmi pot rice served?

One serving of pot rice comes included with the braised pollock. We added one more, so two servings of rice came together in a single pot. The Suhyangmi pot rice had plump, glossy, sticky grains~

Is Appa Jjim's seafood pancake a must-order?

The seafood pancake at Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch was as good as the braised pollock! It was fried until crisp, totally my style, haha.

It was generously filled with seafood, the fragrance of the scallions came through, and the crunchy texture was a work of art.

It's also quite thick! My friend said the pancake was so good that she ate almost that whole big seafood pancake, haha. If you have leftovers you can take them home, so do try the seafood pancake^^

Overall verdict on Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch

I experienced firsthand that the Banseok steam method isn't just a gimmick, it really makes a difference in taste, haha. If you're looking for a family meal spot in Hanam, give Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch a visit!^^

• Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch: Deokpung-dong, Hanam, Gyeonggi
• Large private parking lot
• Naver reservation recommended
• 180-degree high-heat Banseok steam cooking
• Near Misa Boat Race Park and Starfield Hanam