Hanam Misa kodari-jjim with a private group room at noon: Appa Jjim

This was a great spot for a generous spread and a gathering with friends. I went for lunch to a Hanam spot famous for kodari (dried pollock), and after hearing the rumors, I made my way to Appa Jjim Main Branch — turns out I'm glad I did!

I arrived right at noon, lunchtime, and the place was already fully booked. I'd reserved ahead, so I was able to be seated right away.

Lunch special at Appa Jjim: braised pollock and pot rice for 15,000 won

Appa Jjim Main Branch's lunch special is braised pollock and pot rice for ₩15,000, served from 11am to 3pm. Really solid value for the price. No wonder it's packed at lunch.

One thing worth noting — no need to panic seeing it full. Turnover is fast, so staff seated us right away.

Hanam's go-to kodari (dried pollock) restaurant, Appa Jjim

Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch location, hours and free parking

It's located at 60 Wolho-ro, 1st floor, Hanam-si, open daily 11:00–21:50. Break time is 15:00–15:30, with last order at 20:50.

Parking is free. There's a large lot right in front of the restaurant, so parking is easy.

Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch specializes in jjim (steamed dishes) and braised dishes cooked over 180-degree maekbansuk (roasting stone) steam. Their standout lunch menu is the Sokcho-style braised pollock with freshly cooked pot rice — a Hanam favorite people line up for. The pot rice reportedly uses suhyangmi rice, prized for its gentle aroma and sticky texture, with real care put into it.

Inside Appa Jjim: the private group room and dining area

The lunch special — braised pollock and pot rice for ₩15,000 — draws a huge crowd for its value, and even the parking lot was already full when I arrived. There's clearly a reason so many people come here!

At the entrance, you can see traces of visits from well-known figures. One more thing — they've installed an ultrasonic bubble washer, so it felt clean and reassuring to eat there.

They say they were the first to use 180-degree maekbansuk cooking, making for even tastier braised dishes. The place was already full by then. I guess everyone shares the same desire to find delicious food at a good price.

They also run a separate, private room, great for group gatherings, work dinners, or family meals where you want a bit more privacy.

This looked like a note the owner had put up, and I liked it enough to snap a photo. It's even better when the same sentiment is expressed like this and actually put into practice, haha)

Appa Jjim menu and what we ordered

Appa Jjim Main Branch isn't just about braised pollock — true to a jjim specialty restaurant, there's a wide variety: steamed dishes, braised dishes, soups, lunch specials, and side dishes to suit any appetite. As the weather turns chilly, I hear the soup dishes are getting popular too.

We ordered siraegi kodari-jjim (braised dried pollock with radish greens) for ₩35,000, suhyangmi pot rice for two at ₩5,000, crispy seafood pancake for ₩16,000, and a drink for ₩2,000. I wanted to try the star dish, the braised pollock, and the crispy seafood pancake also looked incredibly good.

There's a fun little review-based perk system to enjoy too. Adds a nice bit of fun.

Banchan and the basic table setting

A sweet-and-sour cold seaweed soup comes out, which is a nice, clean way to finish the meal. The braised pollock is also great wrapped in a piece of dried seaweed for a whole different flavor.

The main spread: siraegi kodari-jjim and suhyangmi pot rice

The table was set with the siraegi-loaded braised pollock, crispy seafood pancake, and suhyangmi pot rice. Freshly cooked pot rice needs no introduction — the gentle rice aroma rising up made my mouth water instantly. First things first, dig into the rice~ haha

Pot rice is best the moment it arrives. I gently lifted the lid, scooped a spoonful, and couldn't resist the tempting smell — took a bite right away, and yep, delicious as expected.

A staff member trimmed the braised pollock into easy-to-eat pieces for us — quick hands, really. They cut the radish greens into nice bite-sized pieces too.

Taking a bite of pot rice topped with the braised radish greens, I thought — ah, this is exactly the flavor that keeps people coming back.

The braised radish inside the siraegi kodari-jjim needs no explanation, haha) There's tofu too, so it's fun picking what to eat, plus chewy rice cakes rounded things out perfectly.

On a sheet of dried seaweed, layer on clean bean sprouts, then the braised pollock — and the radish greens are essential too. Add those in and it's straight to the mouth~ instant thumbs-up flavor. That's probably exactly why so many people keep coming back.

I piled it on rice, then tried it again on the savory scorched rice at the end of the meal with the radish greens on top — and the conclusion was, no matter how you eat it, it's delicious.

Crispy seafood pancake with an almost deep-fried texture

Appa Jjim Main Branch's crispy seafood pancake really came out crispy. It looked less like a typical Korean pancake (jeon) and more like a deep-fried dish, and the crunchy texture kept my hand reaching back for more.

I dipped a piece into the sauce served alongside the seafood pancake and took a bite — the sauce made it even more delicious.

Free ice cream and snacks after the meal

There was ice cream after the meal, along with twisted doughnuts, sweet potato chips, and scorched-rice crackers. The ice cream especially caught my eye as the perfect cool bite to finish things off. Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch, a favorite kodari (dried pollock) spot in Hanam and a great place for a Misa lunch gathering — definitely somewhere I want to come back to.