Garak-dong gopchang restaurant with kkakdugi fried rice: Jinseong

Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang is my go-to whenever I'm craving beef gopchang (grilled beef intestine). The Garak branch isn't far from our newlywed home, so I went to check it out — and maybe because it's been featured on shows like Live Today and Vivid Information Center, the wait was no joke. I've been to several branches, and Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship was the most satisfying by far. If you're looking for a good spot in Garak-dong, the gopchang here is delicious and the place is clean — I'd definitely recommend it.

Where is Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship, and where do you park?

The exact address of this Garak-dong favorite is 27 Songpadae-ro 28-gil, Songpa-gu. It's open daily from 12:00 to 23:00, with last order at 22:00.

It's been featured on multiple TV programs like Live Today and Vivid Information Center, so it's genuinely one of Garak-dong's popular gopchang spots — the wait is always long.

Free 2-hour parking is available inside the building, and it looked like some people also park in front of the store. I'd recommend using the building parking for safety.

Getting the last table at 6 PM on a weekday

I arrived just before 6 PM on a weekday. I wondered if I'd actually have to wait — and I remember barely catching the last train, so to speak. I grabbed the very last table. Meanwhile, groups of three and five were already gathered around, happily enjoying their gopchang on a weekday evening.

There looked to be around 15 four-person tables, so I imagine waiting is basically guaranteed if you come during peak mealtimes.

I've been to several other Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang branches in Songpa-gu, but the Garak Flagship seems to be the most popular. There's clearly a reason it keeps getting featured on TV. If you'd rather skip the in-person wait, I'd recommend avoiding peak mealtimes.

Menu and prices at Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship

Here's how the menu at this Garak-dong favorite is laid out:

• Hanwoo gopchang 220g — ₩19,000
• Hanwoo daechang 220g — ₩19,000
• Hanwoo makchang 220g — ₩20,000
• Kkakdugi-yangbap (fried rice) — ₩9,000
• Anchovy noodles — ₩6,000

I ordered one serving each of daechang, makchang, and gopchang, but I noticed other tables ordering just one type across the whole group. Feels like you can order however suits your taste!

Gopchang, daechang and makchang with minari-pickled-garlic sauce

As soon as we sat down, they brought out the minari-garlic sauce, one per person.

The minari-garlic sauce is made with pickled minari (water dropwort) and garlic, and they recommend dipping literally everything in it — gopchang, daechang, makchang, all the vegetables, even the kimchi! And honestly, it's really, really, really good. Most people go through two or three refills, no question. I think it's Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship's own secret weapon for making beef gopchang taste this good.

Next they bring out house-made mustard leaf kimchi, green onion kimchi, and chonggak kimchi. Once your gopchang order arrives, they grill it right there for you. Eaten with the minari-garlic sauce, it's a work of art.

I ordered one each of gopchang, makchang, and daechang, and they piled the pan sky-high with rice cakes, potatoes, chives, bean sprouts, kimchi, and cabbage — enough for two people to eat until they burst.

One reason I'd recommend Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship is that there are plenty of staff on hand. They keep checking on your gopchang and timing it with a timer, grilling it perfectly so all you have to do is sit back and eat.

The gopchang, daechang, and makchang were seriously, seriously good. They were tasty and savory on their own, but the minari-garlic sauce really made it. I dipped every bite of daechang, gopchang, and makchang into that sauce.

They kept the potatoes and rice cakes coming nonstop. There were plenty of extra sides too, so it was fun picking and choosing. They also gave us a complimentary steamed egg.

Finishing with kkakdugi-yangbap fried rice

I noticed the next table order kkakdugi-yangbap (kkakdugi fried rice, ₩9,000), so I got some too. It comes already cooked, so all you do is warm it up over medium heat. If you like kkakdugi fried rice, you'll definitely love this — not too spicy, and loaded with vegetables.

I always wondered why Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship is so packed every time, but after experiencing it myself, I get it: friendly staff, great-tasting food, generous portions, and easy parking on top of it all. If you're looking for a good restaurant in Garak-dong, I'd recommend giving Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship a try.