Makchang-gui — Large Intestine Grilling (막창구이)

Daegu city, North Gyeongsang province; a post-war street food culture that elevated butchery offcuts (what couldn't be sold) into a fierce regional identity dish

Makchang (막창) is the fourth stomach (abomasum) or large intestine of pork or beef, grilled over charcoal in a practice that is simultaneously confrontational and deeply beloved in Korean grill culture. Makchang has assertive chew, fat-mineral depth, and a bold smell that is polarising — and its cleaning technique is exhaustive. Multiple stages of salt-scrubbing, vinegar rinsing, and flour-tumbling are required to remove the mucous lining and reduce the smell before blanching and grilling. The Daegu region of North Gyeongsang province is the cultural heartland, with specific dipping sauce conventions (doenjang-sesame, not ssamjang) that differ from the rest of Korea.

Doenjang-sesame dipping sauce is the Daegu tradition. A cold draft beer or straight soju is the pairing — both cut fat. Perilla leaf wraps with fresh garlic and green chilli are the standard accompaniment.