Good gopchang is harder to find than it looks, and Hwangso Gopchang (황소곱창), an old-school grill house near Seoul National University Station, is one of the most consistent places we know for grilled beef intestines in Seoul. This review covers a dinner there in September 2026, plus what to order and how a Korean intestine grill works if you have never tried one.
This review is adapted from a visit by Revitguide reviewer 호미식 (Homisik), who rated it 4 out of 5. Read the original Korean review on Revitguide.
Hwangso Gopchang at a Glance
| Name | Hwangso Gopchang (황소곱창), sign reads 황소곱창전문 |
| Address | 39 Gwanak-ro 15-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (서울 관악구 관악로15길 39) |
| Station | Seoul National University Station (Line 2), about a 4-minute walk from Exit 4 |
| Hours | Dinner only, from about 17:00 (16:00 on Sundays). Visitors report closing around 22:00 (21:00 on Sundays). |
| Price | Grill dishes come in 2-person portions, about ₩48,000 to ₩52,000 each. We paid ₩59,000 in total. |
| Booking | Treat it as a walk-in place. Listings disagree on reservations, so call 02-875-7622 if you need a table. |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
Also, do not mix it up with Singiru Hwangso Gopchang Gui (신기루황소곱창구이), a different and cheaper grill house two streets away at 25 Gwanak-ro 13-gil. Both are near the same station, and both also have “Hwangso” in the name.
What Is Gopchang? A Quick Guide for First-Timers
Gopchang (곱창) is Korean for small intestine, and in a grill house it usually means beef small intestine. Inside the tube sits the “gop,” a creamy, fatty layer, which melts and turns nutty as it cooks. “Hwangso” means bull, and many gopchang houses use the word to tell you the intestines come from Korean cattle.
For example, most places sell a few cuts, either alone or as an assorted platter (모둠, modum):
- Gopchang (곱창): small intestine, chewy outside and rich inside.
- Daechang (대창): large intestine, thicker and much fattier.
- Makchang (막창): for beef, the fourth stomach. It is firmer and has a deeper flavor.
- Yang (양): the first stomach, also called tripe, with a clean, springy bite.
- Yeomtong (염통): heart. It is lean and tender and tastes more like steak than offal.
At the table, the staff or you grill everything on a hot pan over a gas burner, usually with onion and potato that soak up the beef fat. First, eat the heart, since it cooks fastest. Then move on to the intestines once they turn golden on the outside. Finally, many grill houses finish the meal by frying rice in the leftover fat. Past visitors mention fried rice at Hwangso Gopchang too, so ask for it near the end.
In fact, gopchang is classic drinking food in Korea, and soju is the usual match. However, a single portion is rarely enough for one person, so menus here use two-person portions.
Our Dinner at Hwangso Gopchang
Consistency is the whole point
If you eat at enough gopchang places, you learn that more gop does not always mean better. For instance, gopchang can be too greasy or too tough. Even at the same restaurant, the quality can change a lot from day to day.
What stands out at Hwangso Gopchang is how small that swing is. The gop fills the intestine right to the center, but it never feels too greasy. The outside turns golden while the nutty richness inside stays intact. As you chew, the creamy gop and the springy bite of the intestine come through together, and the balance is very good. After a few pieces, you naturally start wanting a drink.
The ingredient does the work
Above all, the gopchang itself is in such good condition that you do not need anything else with it. It felt like the nutty, rich flavor you hope for from gopchang, taken to a very high level.
That also matches what others say about the kitchen. A 2026 feature in the Korean food magazine Metizen describes Hwangso Gopchang as a simple, pub-style place that uses 100% Korean bull and serves intestines that have never been frozen. The assorted platter, with yang, gopchang, daechang, makchang and heart, is the most popular order.
Old, plain and not very chatty
On the other hand, the room shows its age and is fairly rough around the edges. It is not the kind of modern restaurant where someone kindly explains everything to you.
Still, if gopchang is a dish that comes down to the ingredient and the grilling, this place makes it very clear why it is worth seeking out an old house that does it well.
Menu and Prices
Siksin listed these grill prices for Hwangso Gopchang in October 2026. Each order is for two people.
| Dish | Korean | Price (2 people) |
|---|---|---|
| Gopchang only | 곱창만구이 | ₩52,000 |
| Assorted gopchang platter | 곱창모듬구이 | ₩50,000 |
| Makchang | 막창구이 | ₩50,000 |
| Daechang | 대창구이 | ₩48,000 |
| Heart | 염통구이 | ₩35,000 |
Because prices are higher than at budget gopchang chains, expect to pay roughly ₩25,000 to ₩35,000 per person with a drink.
Tips for Visiting
- Go early. Since it opens at dinner time and seats are limited, arriving close to opening is the easiest way to get a table.
- On a first visit, order the assorted platter (곱창모듬구이), so you can try several cuts at once.
- Expect a no-frills room and short explanations. Simply point at the menu, and the staff will help with the grill.
- Pay attention to the address. The similarly named Singiru Hwangso Gopchang Gui is a separate business.
- Also, listings show no parking, so take the subway.
Verdict
Hwangso Gopchang is not about the room or the service. Instead, it is about well-handled gopchang with a rich, nutty center and very little variation from visit to visit. For anyone who wants to taste why Koreans love grilled intestines, it is a strong choice. Our rating: 4 out of 5.
Planning more grill nights? See our guide to the best Korean BBQ in Seoul, our picks for the best Korean restaurants in Seoul, and more Seoul food guides. For other classic Seoul comfort food, try our dakhanmari guide.
FAQ
What is gopchang made of?
Gopchang is beef small intestine, grilled until the outside is golden and the fatty “gop” inside turns creamy. Daechang (large intestine), makchang (fourth stomach) and yang (tripe) often appear on the same menu.
Where is Hwangso Gopchang in Seoul?
It is at 39 Gwanak-ro 15-gil in Gwanak-gu, about a 4-minute walk from Exit 4 of Seoul National University Station on Line 2.
How much does gopchang cost at Hwangso Gopchang?
As of October 2026, the grill dishes cost about ₩48,000 to ₩52,000 for two people, and the heart costs ₩35,000. Our dinner came to ₩59,000.
Do I need a reservation?
It works mostly as a walk-in restaurant. Sources disagree on whether it takes bookings, so call 02-875-7622 or arrive near opening time.
We checked prices and hours in November 2026, and they can change. Check Naver Map before you go.