Songpa Korean BBQ for a beef offal dinner: Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang

The gopchang spot that caught my eye in Bangi-dong’s food alley

I was deciding what to have for dinner in Bangi-dong’s food alley when Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Bangi Direct Branch caught my eye because it had especially many customers.

There was even a separate waiting list posted outside. It was around 6:10 p.m. Having eaten there myself, I could see why it suits the description of a Bangi-dong place that serves beef gopchang (beef small intestine) generously. Rather than bringing out just a few pieces of gopchang, it lets you enjoy several cuts at once—from gopchang to daechang (beef large intestine) and makchang (beef abomasum)—and the griddle arrives completely filled with bean sprouts, chives, potatoes, and kimchi too. The look alone was spot-on.

A hanwoo gopchang spread ordered like an assortment

Hanwoo gopchang and assorted gopchang are in the ₩20,000 range. There’s a reason busy places are busy, right?? Once inside, it was so crowded that it was almost hard to find an empty seat. It is not flashy or luxurious; instead, it has small round tables gathered close together, the sort of setting that is perfect for gopchang and a shot of soju. Personally, I think this kind of lively atmosphere suits food like this even better.

What stood out first when the griddle arrived was the quantity. Along with plump gopchang and daechang, there were different cuts including makchang, with a very generous ring of chives, potatoes, and kimchi around them. So if you are looking for a Bangi-dong beef gopchang place that does not skimp, this is a spread you may find very satisfying. We ordered one serving of each and ate it like an assortment.

Soju is a must, of course, and the three kinds of house-made kimchi were impressive too.

Dipping sauces and complimentary steamed egg

The basic dipping sauces come out individually for dipping. They are delicious. It seemed that one steamed egg was included as a complimentary side.

Gopchang and vegetables cooked to the timer

Once the gopchang arrives, the staff bring out five- and three-minute timers, cut it exactly when it is ready, and tell you when to eat, so it is easy to enjoy without any fuss. When you cut into the cooked gopchang, it is nicely full inside. The outside is golden and nutty, while the inside stays tender, and its rich, distinctive flavor builds as you chew. Dipping it in the seasoned sauce loaded with chives especially cuts through the richness, making it hard to stop reaching for more.

The daechang had a satisfyingly plump texture and a clear nutty flavor, and alternating it with cuts of different textures such as makchang was part of the fun of ordering an assortment. Once plenty of fat had rendered out, grilling the bean sprouts and chives alongside it was the key. The vegetables softened slightly while soaking up the savory gopchang fat, making them perfect to pick up together with the offal.

House-made kimchi that paired well with rich gopchang

Another thing that stayed with me was the kimchi. The restaurant information said they make their own green-onion kimchi, gat kimchi (mustard-leaf kimchi), and altari radish kimchi. Adding a piece of kimchi now and then while eating rich food like gopchang refreshes your palate. Gopchang topped with well-fermented kimchi was a great combination, and adding the chive sauce definitely made me want a drink. The fluffy steamed egg was also a nice breather between the spicy and rich flavors.

For days when you want a generous variety of cuts

Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Bangi Direct Branch is better suited to a day when you want to enjoy a generous griddle full of several cuts of beef offal than a neat tasting of just a few pieces. There is fun in grilling gopchang, daechang, makchang, beef heart, vegetables, and kimchi together, and the bustling dining room really captures the lively feel of Bangi-dong’s food alley. If you are looking among Bangi-dong restaurants for a place to have soju with friends, or for a generously portioned beef gopchang spot, it is worth stopping by.