BBQ intestines 곱창 [read: gop-chang] in Korea are getting popular with foreigners nowadays. I get some suggestions for writing an intestines place that I recommend. I used to think eating BBQ intestines sound ridiculous. It just doesn’t look as appetising compared to the usual Korean BBQs. (Well, the intestines above may still look edible to some of you. That explains why am I writing about it. Of course lah, if not why bother to write about it! )
Several disappointing gop-chang visits in the previous times almost made me ban myself from visiting any gop-chang restaurant. Until my committed gop-chang lover friends brought me to this restaurant below at Sinchon, then I became addicted. (If you are wondering where to try out BBQ intestines in Seoul, read on!)
Located at Sinchon with 60 years of know-how in the industry, this place is pretty famous. We were there on a Saturday early evening (about 630pm), and their level 1 air-conditioned area was already full. They got us a table in the basement. Surprisingly it was pretty spacious down there in the basement.
Basic settings and condiments are similar to a normal Korean BBQ. However, the price for beef intestines per person is a whopping 12,000 won, twice the price of a normal Samgyeopsal (Korean Pork Belly) meal per person.
Some rather dubious items on the table as the side dish. The red colour, jelly textured one is called Saeng-gan 생간, raw cow liver. It is considered a delicacy served only in a beef specialist restaurant. It just tasted like blood to me. The grey one by its side is called cheon-yeop 천엽, the cow’s 3rd stomach. It is served raw. I didn’t dare to try it but was told it is just like chewing a rubber band. lol Now then when I write about it I regret not trying it. Has anyone tried the raw and rough-textured cow stomach before?
The special dipping sauce is made of soy sauce, sesame sauce and pickled chilli. Great to go with the intestines.
We ordered beef intestines for 3 with garlic chives (+KRW 2,000) and mushrooms (+KRW 2,000). This restaurant is the only one in South Korea that marinates their intestines for 4 hours before serving. The process of marinating gives the intestines a nutty flavour, softer texture and therefore tastier.
Here at the restaurant the ajummas or ajussis will help with the grilling. All we need to do is just sit and wait, and take pictures. kkkk
Look at the thick layer of slime in the intestines. It is the amount of collagen we are taking in! MASSIVE collagen load tonight!!!! This is probably one of the reasons why Korean girls love beef intestines. It is said to have more slime compared to lamb or pork intestines. Good for complexion and digestion!
Intestines are cut into bite-size pieces and tossed with sesame powder and pepper flakes. When it is almost done, the ajumma will then fry the garlic chives with the oil that came from the intestines themselves.
And so our intestines is all ready to be eaten! You got to agree with me it is actually quite visually appealing, no?
The intestines actually taste like meat (YEAH! you didn’t get me wrong), it tastes like meat with an utterly soft and buttered filling. Look at the fat/ collagen, it was so fluffy!
Their special sesame sauce with pickled chilli did its magic in livening up the taste of the intestines. If you haven’t tried beef intestines before, this place is a good start. No bad smell from the intestines and the soft, nutty taste of the collagen is probably easier for a novice to appreciate better. If the intestines are too greasy for you, try to grab some chives to go with your intestines.
Tips for Visiting: Usually in a typical Korean BBQ place, upon finishing your meal you’ll be prompted to order cold noodles or fried rice to complete your meal. This particular place, however, does not serve a meal (식사, meaning rice/noodles to complete your meal.) on a weekend. = ( So if you are a rice person and if you have a problem calling whatever you ate a “meal” just because there’s no rice (gimme 5!) , it is either you pay big bucks for the expensive beef intestines to fill your stomach, or just visit the place on a weekday. I recommend the latter as I heard their fried rice is extremely yummy!
Contact Details:
Sinchon Hwang So Gop-Chang 신촌 황소곱창 본점
Seoul, Seodaemun-gu, Sinchon-dong.
Operating Hours: 5pm-2am (weekdays) 5pm-4am (weekends)
Korean version of the address:서울 서대문구 신촌동
How to Get There: (click map to enlarge)
1. Coming out from Sinchon Station (line No.2) exit 2, walk straight.
2. You’ll pass by KB Kookmin Bank, Hyundai U+ , Pizza Hut, and until you reach McDonalds, turn into the street on you left-hand side. Go down the road until you see the 2nd junction, the restaurant with the big white signboard should be on your left-hand side.
