I enjoyed our dinner at Hwangso Gopchang in Duluth. If you like gopchang, I think this place is worth visiting.
If you don't know what gopchang is, it's Korean grilled cow and pig intestines. It's similar to Korean barbecue, with grills at your table and banchan (side dishes) included. However, instead of beef brisket and pork belly, it's tripe and intestines. Hwangso Gopchang specializes in the cow variety, not pig (though they do serve other pig parts).
To get a good idea of what this place is like (food, service, atmosphere) in less than 60 seconds (tl;dr version), check out my Instagram Reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBuS722vKXj/
Many of you are probably thinking: "Stomach, tripe, and intestines? Yuck! No thanks." If you're open-minded and/or adventurous when it comes to food, I encourage you to try gopchang. I think it's delicious and I've yet to be disappointed.
If you've been turned off by tripe and intestines from other restaurants and cuisines (e.g., Chinese/Taiwanese, Latin American), throw those experiences out the window. The Korean version is different in almost every way -- taste, smell, and texture. Don't knock gopchang till you've tried it. To me, this is arguably the best version.
There are several gopchang restaurants in metro Atlanta, mostly in Gwinnett County (of course). Here's my running list:
* Gopchang on Fire 1 - Suwanee - opened 2015
https://bit.ly/2NlVHi1
* Gopchang on Fire 2 - Duluth - opened 2017
https://bit.ly/3P4igrp
* Gopchang on Fire 3 - Doraville - opened 2023
https://bit.ly/432q02R
* Hwangso Gopchang 1 - Duluth (this location) - opened 2018
https://bit.ly/3T0qbav
* Hwangso Gopchang 2 - Duluth - opened 2023
https://bit.ly/3V4oA5Z
* Gopchang Salon - Suwanee - opened 2021
https://bit.ly/432bsQS
Gopchang on Fire is the original gopchang brand/chain in Georgia. I removed 9292 Gopchang in Duluth, which opened in 2018, from the list because it changed to Ziggle Korean BBQ and then to 9292 Korean BBQ 2 (by 2022).
Hwangso Gopchang is located in the sprawling, two-story Duluth International Village (Spa Land shopping center). It replaced Korean restaurant Hong Dae Pocha. I know this center best for longtime tenants like traditional Korean restaurant Jang Won Jung, Bonjuk, and Wellbean Tofu. The latter two closed and were replaced by K-Mom's Kitchen and another location of So Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ, respectively. I'm happy to see this shopping center doing better, with a higher occupancy rate and more activity compared to 15-20 years ago, but I digress.
If you've been to Gopchang on Fire, Hwangso Gopchang's main menu is similar. For example, they both offer "A" and "B" sets of gopchang with the same parts at the same price: A is $59.99 for 2-3 people, B is $69.99 for 3-4 people. These sets are what these places are known for. If you order a set, you should order other dishes too or you might not get full.
Hwangso Gopchang differentiates itself by having a bigger menu. Items Hwangso has that Fire doesn't: more stir-fried entrees and soups/stews (including mala stews), multiple kinds of fried rice, cold noodles, pork jowl, mussel soup, and even silkworm pupae soup.
Here's what five of us ordered:
B Set ($69.99, 3-4 people)
* Gop Chang - small intestine of cow
* Dae Chang ("big innards") - large intestine of cow
* Mak Chang ("last tripe") - upper lining of last stomach of cow
* Tuek Yang - upper lining of first stomach of cow or "first intestine"
* Yeomtong - cow heart
* Pork Belly ($25.99)
* Fish Cake Soup ($24.99)
* Korean Potato Pancake ($19.99)
* Korean Rice Wine ($14.99) - Kook Soon Dang Makgeolli
* Cass Korean beer x2 ($5.99 each)
I thought everything was tasty. The biggest difference I noticed between Hwangso and Fire is Hwangso served their large intestine pre-stuffed with garlic and green onion whereas Fire served theirs plain and flat. I prefer the Hwangso way. The other parts were similar in terms of quality (good) and the way they were presented and served. For example, the small intestine was presented and grilled as a spiral before being cut, with scissors, into bite-sized pieces. No gamey or funky flavors here. I thought everything was savory with appetizing textures. The Pork Belly was thick-cut, relatively lean, and yummy.
Hwangso's banchan included steamed egg, pickled white onion, spicy pickled mung bean sprouts, daikon, and garlic chives. Condiments included misugaru (grain powder), sesame oil with salt, pepper, and minced garlic, and Korean soy sauce with bird's eye chili. There was also a spice shaker that was simply labeled "seasoning." I asked a server what it was. He said it was Hwangso's special seasoning mix and he wasn't able to tell us what was in it.
The Fish Cake Soup and Potato Pancake complemented the gopchang well. Gopchang also goes well with alcohol. I recommend beer and Korean rice wine.
Our server, Solmin, was wonderful. She was attentive and did a great job serving, cooking, and cutting our B Set and Pork Belly. read more