ソウルゴップチャン
(Seoul Gopchang)
■Osaka / Korean Food / Price per Person: ¥4,000-¥5,000
※Prices are based on my visit and may vary by location or time.
Gopchang is a representative Korean offal dish made from the small intestines of cattle or pork, carefully cleaned and enjoyed either grilled or in hot pot. It is known for its rich, savory flavor and chewy texture. While it is high in protein, iron, and B vitamins, it also contains a significant amount of fat, so it is generally enjoyed in moderation. In Korea, it is typically grilled on a flat iron plate or over charcoal, and the meal is often finished with fried rice.
One place where you can enjoy this Korean-style gopchang in Osaka is Seoul Gopchang, located in Uehommachi. It is a specialty restaurant directly operated by a Korean owner from Seoul, and it is said to have been the first restaurant in Osaka to introduce iron-plate grilled gopchang. Even as a Korean myself, I can genuinely feel the authentic taste of Korea here, and since it is close to my home, I personally visit quite often.
Store Information
●Location
〒542-0072 大阪府大阪市中央区高津１丁目２−１９
(1-2-19 Kozu, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 542-0072)
About a 5-minute walk from Tanimachikyuchome Station.
●Phone
+81 80-2521-5774
●Business Hours
17:30～23:30
●Notes
As of the date of my visit, there were no regular closing days.
Seoul Gopchang Interior
The interior is a small and cozy space with around six tables. The table arrangement evokes a typical Korean street food tent atmosphere, and the black walls are filled with handwritten messages from past visitors in Korean, Japanese, English, and other languages, reflecting the affection people have for this place. The overall atmosphere is simple yet warm, and while dining, you may naturally feel as if you are in Korea.
Although the restaurant is small, there is a separate restroom available, making it convenient to use. As the space is limited, it can become crowded during dinner hours, so it is worth keeping that in mind before visiting.
Menu
The main menu at Seoul Gopchang consists of three options: salt-grilled gopchang, marinated gopchang, and samgyeopsal. Among them, the restaurant’s most recommended item is the salt-grilled gopchang. Please note that the main dishes can be ordered starting from a minimum of two servings. In addition, the staff grills the meat for you at the table, allowing you to enjoy your meal more comfortably.
If you choose a set menu, it includes one of the main dishes, two servings of fried rice, and either odeng soup or sundubu jjigae. Individual items can also be ordered separately, but choosing the set menu allows you to enjoy the meal at a slightly more reasonable price.
The drink menu is available either as nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) or as individual orders. The nomihodai option is available for about ¥2,000 for 120 minutes, with the last order taken 30 minutes before the end time. At a relatively reasonable price, you can try a wide variety of drinks, making it a good choice for those who would like to enjoy different kinds of alcohol.
In addition to commonly enjoyed drinks in Japan such as beer and highballs, a variety of Korean alcoholic beverages, including soju and makgeolli, are also available, making it a great pairing with gopchang for a more authentic Korean-style dining experience.
I ordered Korean soju and makgeolli as individual items. The soju is sold by the bottle, while the makgeolli is available either by the glass or by the bottle. What impressed me most was that the bottled makgeolli is served in a traditional Korean-style kettle.
Set Menu
When you place your order, a tray with seasoned tofu, potato salad, and dipping sauces for the gopchang is served first. Although they are simple side dishes, they are neatly presented and make a pleasant start to the meal.
The sundubu jjigae included in the set menu was flavorful enough to be enjoyed on its own as a full dish. However, as expected from a Korean-style sundubu jjigae, it is somewhat spicy, so those who are sensitive to spicy food may want to keep that in mind.
Main 1: Salt-Grilled Gopchang
Salt-grilled gopchang is a menu item that allows you to fully enjoy the natural flavor of the intestines without heavy seasoning. It mainly uses beef offal, which in Korea is often simply seasoned with salt and enjoyed in a more straightforward way.
There was no unpleasant smell at all, and the contrast between the crispy exterior and the chewy interior was especially impressive. Its rich, nutty flavor spreads in the mouth, making it an excellent dish to pair with alcohol.
Main 2: Marinated Gopchang
In Korea, marinated gopchang is often made using pork offal and is typically grilled after being coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. Various vegetables are cooked together with the meat, which adds extra depth of flavor. Personally, I found it to be especially satisfying when finishing the meal with fried rice.
The red sauce is flavorful and rich, but it is somewhat spicy. If you are not comfortable with spicy food, the salt-grilled option may be a safer choice.
Fried Rice
This is the fried rice enjoyed after finishing the marinated gopchang. Rather than finishing all of the marinated gopchang, it is better to leave a small portion and ask the staff to prepare the fried rice. The rice is stir-fried in the remaining sauce and oil, which gives it a deeper and richer flavor. In the end, Korean seaweed is added on top, making it even more savory and satisfying.
If you would like to experience authentic Korean gopchang in Osaka the same way it is enjoyed in Korea, I recommend visiting Seoul Gopchang, known as the first iron-plate grilled gopchang restaurant in Osaka.
■Seoul Gopchang
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