TV-featured gopchang grill in Guro, Seoul, 16 years running: Gimga-ne

The Guro gopchang spot from 'Dontjjul-naero Wasseumnida': Gimga-ne

Gimga-ne Gopchang Gui Daerim Station Main Branch (김가네곱창구이 대림역본점) is famous as a Daerim Station gopchang place. It has grilled nothing but gopchang on the same spot for 16 years and was also featured on the TV show 'Dontjjul-naero Wasseumnida'. It's been ages since I had gopchang~! I got curious when I saw it on TV and only now made it there, lol. After eating here I immediately understood why it's been loved on one spot for 16 years haha

How to get to Gimga-ne Daerim Station Main Branch, and parking

Gimga-ne Daerim Station Main Branch is at 1F, 93 Dorim-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul, about a 3-minute walk from Daerim Station Exit 1, so it's really easy to reach. As you head into the alley, the smell of savory grilling gopchang greets you first, and your feet just naturally head that way.

It's open until late at night, so it's great after work, and reservations and group seating are available, so I hear it's often used for company dinners too. Some parking is available in front of the restaurant!

Atmosphere and the grill-it-for-you service

The restaurant was bigger and cleaner than I expected. With cylindrical tables and flexible seating, it works for dates, family meals and company dinners alike! They said groups of 20 or more can be seated too.

Even though it's a gopchang place, the inside was pleasant and tidy, so the first impression was great, and above all the staff were really kind. And the best part was the grilling service! Timing is so important with gopchang, but the staff grill it all perfectly, so we could just chat and wait. They grill it nicely at another table and bring it over like this.

Gimga-ne menu

✔️Please see the photo below for the menu.

Mixed gopchang for 2: how did it taste?

At Gimga-ne we ordered mixed gopchang for 2 and kimchi fried rice. The liver and omasum (cow's stomach) were super fresh, and the sauce served with them was tangy and a little spicy, totally my style.

That day we felt like celebrating, so somaek (soju mixed with beer), go (not me, though). Just watching the gopchang turn golden brown on the grill made my mouth water.🥹

With the AC at full blast and the drinks flowing, he was all fired up (you know, the other personality that comes out whenever he drinks, lol)

Is there any gamey smell in Gimga-ne's gopchang?

Gimga-ne reportedly prepares the gopchang that arrives each day right away, with dedicated water pipes, a 3-step wash and natural tenderizing aging, and after eating it I could see why. The most important thing with gopchang is the gamey smell, and there was really none at all!

They gave us loads of chives too!!!! The beef heart melts in your mouth. It's packed with gopchang fat and the texture is springy! The more you chew, the more savory flavor spreads, and my chopsticks just kept going.

Eating it with the chives, garlic and onion served alongside cut the richness and tasted even better!!!

Finishing with kimchi fried rice, and self-serve Hangang ramyeon

Of course the finish at Gimga-ne is kimchi fried rice!

It's soaked in gopchang fat so it's savory, yet the kimchi's umami is still alive, and scraping up the slightly crispy bits of fried rice was the best part!😋

I ate until I was totally full, and as I was about to pay I spotted the self-serve Hangang ramyeon on one side! You boil it yourself, and I really wanted to try it, but that's for next time!

Who I'd recommend Gimga-ne to

• Anyone looking for a good place to eat in Guro
• Anyone looking for a good place to eat near Daerim Station
• Anyone looking for a great gopchang spot in Guro
• Anyone who likes gopchang with no gamey smell