Korean Grilled Beef Intestine
Quick answer
Gopchang-gui is Korean grilled beef small intestine, prized for its crackling exterior and springy interior that develop simultaneously on a high-heat pan.
What makes this special
- Gopchang-gui features salt-rubbed beef small intestine with a crackling exterior and springy center.
- Coarse salt rub and 5-minute blanching are two-stage odor removal
- Draining off rendered fat mid-cook keeps the texture crisp not greasy
Key ingredients
Core cooking flow
- 1 Rub 600 g beef intestine with 1 tbsp coarse salt and 2 tbsp flour for about 5 minutes.
- 2 Rinse several times under running water until no floury coating remains.
- 3 Press the blanched intestine dry with paper towels, then cut it into bite-size pieces.
Gopchang-gui is Korean grilled beef small intestine, prized for its crackling exterior and springy interior that develop simultaneously on a high-heat pan. The preparation begins by kneading the raw intestine with coarse salt and flour to scrub away impurities and draw out off-flavors, then par-boiling for five minutes to strip away residual organ smell before any seasoning is applied. Once patted dry and seasoned with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and sesame oil, the intestine hits a very hot pan where its internal fat renders out rapidly. As the fat releases, it essentially fries the outer surface from the inside, producing a deeply golden crust while the inner walls stay bouncy and chewy. Blotting the accumulated rendered fat from the pan at intervals with paper towels prevents the gopchang from stewing in grease and keeps the crust sharply crisp rather than slick. Served immediately off the heat with a heap of fresh garlic chives alongside, the pungent, vegetal bite of the chives cuts cleanly through the richness of the intestine and refreshes the palate for the next piece.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Season
Rub 600 g beef intestine with 1 tbsp coarse salt and 2 tbsp flour for about 5 minutes.
Work the mixture into the inner folds so the flour loosens mucus and helps pull away odor-causing residue.
- 2Heat
Rinse several times under running water until no floury coating remains.
Drop the intestine into boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain it in a colander and let the surface moisture run off thoroughly.
- 3Season
Press the blanched intestine dry with paper towels, then cut it into bite-size pieces.
Toss with 1 tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 tsp salt, 0.5 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp sesame oil so the seasoning coats every piece.
- 4Control
Heat a dry pan well over medium-high heat.
Arrange the intestine in a single layer without crowding, and leave it untouched for the first 2 minutes so its own fat starts rendering instead of steaming.
- 5Heat
When rendered fat pools in the pan, carefully blot it with paper towels.
Once the underside turns golden and the edges look crisp, flip the pieces and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
- 6Finish
Turn off the heat when the outside is crisp and the center still feels springy rather than dry.
Cut 60 g garlic chives into 4 cm lengths, serve them alongside the hot gopchang-gui, and eat immediately.
After the steps
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