[ JKT to KOR / Pandemic][Restaurant] Jinseong Hanu Gopchang

*** Your memories make your destiny ***

 

[03.Dec.21~21.Dec.21] #Jinseong Hanu Gopchang 진성한우곱창

On this occasion, we would like to share our experience eating cattle intestine (Gopchang & Makchang) in Sindang, Seoul, South Korea!

We have harbored the desire to eat cattle intestine since watching a Youtube Mukbang Show by Tzuyang. Since then, Gopchang became our top wish list to try in Korea. We finally had an opportunity to visit "Jinseong Hanu Gopchang(진성한우곱창)"on one chilly day for lunch.

We had been fasting since the night before because we were scheduled for a thorough health check-up in the morning.

We were starving and set our expectation at the maximum!

 

1. Gopchang and Makchang with Steamed Egg  

To begin with, we ordered two portions of Gopchang (small intestine) and one portion of Makchang (the very last part of the intestine).

The aunties in the restaurant brought the raw intestine, along with assortment of side dishes (tteok, bean sprouts, potato wedges, and veggies) on top of a lightly greased pan. There was a timer beside the dish, and every 6 minutes, the aunties came and flipped over the intestine and cut it into smaller pieces. Our mouths watered like crazy. We also ordered Soju to be savored together, as they are known to be a match made in heaven. We chose "Jinro is back"brand, that has a light & refreshing flavor.

Jiro Soju "Jinro Is Back"

[Wait!!]

Why bottle of "Jinro Soju" is not green?

--> If you are interested in Korean culture, you can see green bottle in many drama.

 "Retro" and "Newtro(New + Retro)" have been popular until now. This word bring old memories to the old and give cool or nice image or feeling to the young. Light green bottle of soju is one of "Retro" marketing.

There were many kinds of Kimchi and other seasoned veggies served as side dishes.

But we were most delighted, when the aunties brough a piping hot Gyeran Jim or Steamed Egg. It looked fluffy, soft, in a pretty-pale yellow color, and most amazingly it tasted as amazing as it looks. Our picture does not do justice because the hot steam blurred the camera lens. We demolished the steamed egg without waiting for it to cool down a bit.

Gyeran Jim / Steamed Egg

It took approximately 15 minutes for the Gopchang to be ready for eating, while Makchang took a slightly longer time, even all intestine are pre-grilled in the kitchen. It looked like this when it was ready.

For us, it was perfect with a slight burnt here and there, adding a smokey taste to it.

Gopchang or small intestine is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, with a dominant-chewy texture. While Makchang is much more tender compare to Gopchang, almost creamy, due to its fatty texture. Both have their own charms, but equally delicious!

Foreigners didn’t have a slightest idea which part of the intestine Makchang is. Well, surprise, surprise!

Makchang is where the final form of feces is stored before expelled through the anus. However, all things considered, we have absolutely no doubt to eat Makchang again when opportunity allows.

 

2. Gopchang and Makchang with diced radish kimchi fried rice

While we surely loved the intestine, we equally loved the grilled kimchi and other side dishes, such as potato wedges and tteok. We think that they complement the fatty & savory flavor of the intestine perfectly. After every few bites of the meals, we took one shot of soju.

And by God, how thankful we are to be alive! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ…

After finishing the first order, we felt like ordering more. We decided to order one more portion of Gopchang and radish kimchi fried rice(kkakdugi bkkeumbao)(깍두기볶음밥).

We saw a poster on the wall that said the radish kimchi fried rice(kkakdugi bkkeumbao)(깍두기볶음밥) is a must-try. Even though we were already full when the next order was ready, we still finished everything in gusto. radish kimchi fried rice(kkakdugi bkkeumbao)(깍두기볶음밥) is simple and refreshing with big chunks of radish kimchi and corn. They also provide seaweed sheets to roll with the fried rice.

kimchi fried rice(kkakdugi bkkeumbao)(깍두기볶음밥)

 

In total, the two us ate for the amount of four adults – three servings of Gopchang, one serving of Makchang, a large portion of kimchi fried rice(kkakdugi bkkeumbao)(깍두기볶음밥), two bottles of Soju, and one bottle of beer.

In the past, Gopchang was a popular, nutritious, and cheap dish for Korean people.

However, as we were eating the Gopchang we can’t help but feeling guilty. People in the modern world are more on the over nutrition side, rather than lacking it. The price is also on the expensive side perhaps because per cow produces much more regular meat compare to intestine while Gopchang popularity continues to spike up.

Overall, we had had a wonderful experience and we would like to go back to the same restaurant someday, or else try to find another famous Gopchang-selling restaurant!