Hanam pollock restaurant: reunion lunch with blanched squid, Appa Jjim

Is Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch easy to reach from Pungsan Station?

Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch (아빠찜 하남본점) is close to Pungsan Station, so access is great, and the parking lot is really spacious. On Monday, July 13, before an afternoon appointment, I met an old friend from the same industry, a guy I hadn't seen in a whole year, and we had lunch here. The lot is big enough that drivers needn't worry, and that made a very convenient first impression.

Inside the entrance, a coffee vending machine greeted us, handy for a light drink after the meal,

and the walls were covered in signatures from lots of celebrities. "Ah, this really is the right place, a proper Pungsan Station restaurant," I thought, and my expectations shot up.

Atmosphere and restroom at Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch

On a Monday lunch, Appa Jjim was almost completely full. Clearly a place with a reputation. The restroom is inside the restaurant and neatly kept, so it was easy to use. Overall the mood was pleasant and lively, just right for a relaxed meal.

What two people ordered at Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch

We chose Appa Jjim's signature kodari jorim (braised half-dried pollock), specifically the small (小) siraegi (dried radish greens) size, good for two people, with extra radish added for a sweet touch.

On top of that, we added squid sashimi (o징어숙회, blanched squid) as a side specialty, freshly cooked pot rice to bring out the best in the rice, and cheese fried rice to finish. A really full order.

What side dishes come with the meal at Appa Jjim?

Once you order, neat basic side dishes are set out one after another: cucumber seaweed cold soup, salad, bean sprouts, bok choy, stir-fried fish cake, peanuts and seaweed snack (gim). We started with the cold, tangy cucumber seaweed soup, a perfect match for spicy dishes,

then fresh salad, crunchy bean sprouts, bok choy,

stir-fried fish cake, nutty peanuts,

and finally the seaweed snack. Our chopsticks were busy before the main dish even arrived.

How was the blanched squid at Appa Jjim?

The first dish to hit the table was the squid sashimi, blanched just right, not tough but wonderfully chewy. I also liked that crunchy cucumber and carrot came on the side of the plate. A piece of squid dipped in gochujang vinegar sauce (chogochujang) with fresh vegetables spread a cool, clean flavor through my mouth and really got my appetite going.

Is a small siraegi braised pollock enough for two people?

The small siraegi pollock came on a huge plate piled full, and I was surprised at how much food it was for two people. I definitely ordered the small! Pulling off a piece of thick pollock, the outside was coated in rich seasoning while the flesh inside was mild and nutty the more I chewed. Wrapping it with the soft, well-cooked siraegi was a fantastic combination.

By the way, siraegi is said to be rich in calcium, good for high blood pressure, gut health and preventing anemia. Pollock itself is a high-protein, low-fat food rich in amino acids like taurine and alanine, and it contains tryptophan, which is said to help sleep, so it felt like the perfect health food.

Finishing with pot rice and scorched rice tea at Appa Jjim

The pot rice at Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch comes freshly cooked and piping hot, and after scooping out the rice you can pour water into the pot to make sungnyung (scorched rice tea) to finish.

I poured water into the emptied pot to make the toasty sungnyung and used it to cleanse my palate. It settled my stomach wonderfully.

Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch in one line

I was totally satisfied with a day of good food and a precious old friend I hadn't seen in ages. If you're looking for a family dining spot near Pungsan Station, I strongly recommend giving Appa Jjim Hanam Main Branch a visit.