Ruwon City pollock restaurant, mild meal after moving: Hangsangcharim

It's a Saturday, the weather is gorgeous, and I moved yesterday, so I can't be bothered to do anything today. A day like this calls for eating out!!! Let's gooo~ Moving day is supposed to be jajangmyeon (black bean noodles), but I'm skipping the Chinese restaurant for next time. Here's the kodari (semi-dried pollock) spot I went to for an early Saturday dinner in Ruwon City, Seohae, Incheon: Hangsangcharim Kodari Myeongga (한상차림코다리명가) Ruwon City Branch.

What did we eat at Hangsangcharim Kodari Myeongga, and how much was it?

At Hangsangcharim Kodari Myeongga Ruwon City Branch, we ordered braised pollock for two (₩37,000), nutritious stone-pot rice (₩3,000) and a bowl of steamed rice (₩1,000). I asked for the braised pollock at mild, and they said that's about Shin Ramyun-level heat.

• Braised pollock ₩37,000
• Nutritious stone-pot rice ₩3,000
• Steamed rice ₩1,000

This is the braised pollock for two. It came with about 3 pollock. I chose mild for the spice level, which they said is Shin Ramyun-level heat.

Lots of banchan (side dishes) were laid out, and even the bean sprout soup that cools down the spice had a great savory depth.

Do you have to debone the braised pollock yourself?

At Hangsangcharim, after the braised pollock was served, a staff member picked out every bone for us, which was wonderful. So easy, so nice. I love it, love it~ Good good!!!

Is the nutritious stone-pot rice worth adding?

Another highlight at Hangsangcharim is the nutritious stone-pot rice!!! A pot rice lover can't skip it!! The rice is sticky and plump, and the scorched rice with nurungji tea (sungnyung) makes it the best pot rice!! Fried rice or scorched-rice tea is a Korean's dessert, right? The rice has to be good first for it to go down so easily.

A piece of pollock wrapped in gim (dried seaweed) is a treat too. Even the chilies in the braised pollock aren't spicy. We each ate a reasonable bowl of rice, but this is truly a braised kodari place that makes you want two bowls.

Banchan self-serve bar and unlimited japchae

Hangsangcharim Ruwon City Branch has a banchan self-serve bar, so you can help yourself to side dishes without worry. Every single one was delicious. The japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) is unlimited too.

Hangsangcharim Kodari Myeongga menu and spice levels

Besides the spicy braised pollock, the menu at Hangsangcharim Ruwon City Branch has plenty of variety: braised pollock with siraegi (dried radish greens), sweet pumpkin pollock ribs, braised pollock with octopus and more. There's also grilled fish, seasoned raw pollock salad, and even stir-fried pork ribs.

We had the spicy braised pollock for two. The sauce is exactly the flavor Koreans love, so it can't possibly be bad. You can adjust the spice level, choosing from the four levels below.

• Spicy
• Regular
• Mild
• Not spicy

We asked for mild, which they said is Shin Ramyun-level heat.

Are the puffed rice snacks at Hangsangcharim really free?

Hangsangcharim has free puffed rice snacks (ppeongtwigi). Oh no, if I'd seen them on the way in I'd have grabbed some, but I only spotted them on the way out, haha. Free puffed rice, how nice is that? I was full, so I only took four pieces, haha. That counts as full, right?

Opening hours and weekday lunch special

Hangsangcharim Ruwon City Branch is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The lunch special at ₩13,000 is a good value. It's available on weekdays until 3 p.m.

Where is it near Gajeong Station, and is there parking?

Hangsangcharim Ruwon City Branch is near Gajeong Station, and it's about 10 minutes by car from Cheongna New Town. Parking is available above ground at the building; just register your car when you leave. The building is fairly big, so there was plenty of room to sit.

Whether you come with family or a date, you can adjust the spice level, so give it a try. Sweet and spicy, it's just right when you have no appetite.