Nampo-dong tripe grill, chili-spiced stone pan: Bupyeong Yang Gopchang

I've always believed that if you want seasoned yang gopchang (grilled beef tripe and intestine), you have to go to Nampo-dong! And the reason is simple — Bupyeong Yang Gopchang is there haha. It's the place I come back to whenever I'm craving seasoned gopchang.

Outdoor tent seats vs. indoor seats at Bupyeong Yang Gopchang

Bupyeong Yang Gopchang runs both outdoor tent-style seating and indoor seating. I used to always eat outside for that street-tent vibe, but today I tried sitting indoors for the first time. Both have their charm — the outdoor tent atmosphere is great, but eating comfortably inside is nice too, so it really comes down to preference.

We ordered the stone-pan seasoned gopchang.

There were so many signatures on the wall that I looked around — whoa, even a famous TV chef had visited haha.

Side dishes and the stone-pan seasoned gopchang

The side dishes at Bupyeong Yang Gopchang were tofu, geotjeori (fresh kimchi), onion, salad, and pickled radish. They came out one by one first — starting with the tofu, soft as pudding, followed by the fresh kimchi, onion, salad, and pickled radish, a nice variety of dishes that go well with meat.

And then, finally, the seasoned gopchang arrived! Even just looking at it, the plump, chunky pieces looked amazing. It was so thick and generous that you didn't even need to weigh it to know it was a big portion — the visuals alone got me excited.

A staff member cut everything into bite-sized pieces and grilled it for us, so all we had to do was sit back and wait haha.

The complimentary steamed egg

While it grilled, we also got a free steamed egg custard. I'd actually been debating whether to order one, so getting it as a service item — one that pairs so well with seasoned gopchang — was such a nice surprise. Eating the bubbling egg custard alongside the gopchang gave a soft, soothing contrast to the spicy seasoning.

Watching the seasoned gopchang bubble and cook on the stone pan was so satisfying. There was also a ton of gop (intestinal fat) inside, giving it that soft yet chewy texture.

Dipping the plump gopchang deep into the sauce, I understood exactly why people come all the way here to eat it.

Want it spicier? Cut fresh chili into the seasoning

The basic seasoning at Bupyeong Yang Gopchang wasn't super spicy. I hadn't asked whether there was a spicy version when ordering, and as I ate, I found myself wishing it had just a bit more heat. So I chopped up some chili and mixed it right into the sauce haha.

It looked prettier with the added color and tasted even better too. If you like spicy food, I'd definitely recommend adding chili.

Tofu siraegi soup, and the fried rice there was no room for

We also got tofu siraegi soup (dried radish green soup) as a service item. Sipping the hot broth in between bites of gopchang was a great way to cleanse the palate.

Bupyeong Yang Gopchang is also known for its fried rice, but we were already so full that day we couldn't manage it. Watching other tables — even just two people — polish off the fried rice too was honestly impressive and a little envious. Next time I'll bring more people and make sure to try the fried rice haha.

Lunchtime service at Bupyeong Yang Gopchang: patbingsu

Just as we were about to leave, completely full, they suddenly brought out patbingsu (red bean shaved ice)! Apparently it's a free service item if you visit during lunch hours. Topped with bean powder, cereal, and condensed milk, it looked amazing just from the visuals alone!

When I said I was way too full, the staff laughed and said, 'There's always room for dessert!' — so I ended up eating it with a smile. Dessert really does have its own stomach haha. The nutty bean powder, condensed milk, and red beans came together surprisingly well, and it went down easier than I expected.

Who should visit Bupyeong Yang Gopchang

If you're looking for seasoned yang gopchang in Nampo-dong, Bupyeong Yang Gopchang is the place that's stuck in my mind for years — give it a try. If you love that outdoor tent atmosphere, sit outside; if you'd rather eat more comfortably, go indoors. It was a day I left completely full, from the gopchang to the egg custard, the soup, and the patbingsu haha.

• Anyone looking for great seasoned yang gopchang in Nampo-dong
• Anyone who loves plump gopchang packed with gop (intestinal fat)
• Anyone who enjoys that outdoor tent-dining atmosphere
• Anyone who wants a variety of side dishes alongside their gopchang
• Anyone looking for a place hearty enough to also finish with fried rice
• Anyone who likes to top off a meal with dessert

Even after a while away, eating here again reminded me that this is still the place for seasoned gopchang. Next time I really want to try the fried rice too! If you're craving gopchang in Nampo-dong, give it a visit.