Hong Kong Burger Explosion
Well it used to be hamburger desert in Hong Kong but over the past 10 years or so we have seen a deluge of Hamburger chains appearing - and in some cases disappearing - in every nook and cranny of the territory. All good news for those in the need of a burger fix - the past 3 years - has resulted in an atomic explosion of burger joints opening.
Triple O’s doing it wok ‘n woll style in China
Leading the pack, Canada’s famed Triple O’s - at least for West coast habitants - made a grand entrance via there 50’s retro themed inpired 70-odd seat outlet in Pacific Place mall in 2003. Since that auspicious opening - by we presume a homesick Canuck - they have branched out with another outlet at IFC Mall/ The Forum at Exchange Square in Central, Harbour City in TST, Kowloon and City Super at Times Square in Causeway Bay. They have just opened a Shatin branch.
For a pure Australian chuck pattie with lettuce, tomato and Triple O’s special sauce, you will dish-out HK$51. Extras will cost more.
Down in Star Street, Wanchai, burger lovers have been celebrating Shake-’em Buns, which opened in August last year. Since its humble beginings, two more outlets have been added to the artillery; in Causeway Bay (5 Hoi Ping Rd) and Central (76 Wellington St) like a bolt of lighting from the blue.
Shake-’em Buns main-dude styling behind the grill
Whilst any New-Yorker worth his pound of pure chuck beef would know; the word ‘Shake’ should be used with extreme caution (think Shake Shack). Whilst small, this burger joint has a 1930’s esq, New York Diner look and feel. The burgers are your traditional ’sloppy Joe’ - a 160 gram juicy pattie, resplendent with fresh leaf of lettuce, with lashings of mayo, sandwiched in a fresh sesame-seed bun. Prices for the Missionary are HK$48, Red on the Neck (chilli and coleslaw) HK$60, Gang Bang (double patty with cheese, bacon and fried egg) HK$98. Whilst this joint has nothing on the doyen of hamburger places: Shake Shack, it certainly does hold its own.
The real deal - no Holyfield
Ever wondered what a McDonald’s store in China looks like?
Wendy’s came and went. Good old born-in-the-USA - McDonald’s just keeps on pumping out their run-of-the-mill product via their ever-expanding (currently 200+ outlests) distribution chain and still going strong.
How cool is this fella?
Having said all that, we now have a new invasion from Japan…In the form of the MOS burger and Freshness burger chains. MOS Burger, now has five outlets since its opening last year. The name stands for Mountain, Ocean and Sun, has almost 1600 outlets in Japan. Walking into one of their branches one has the feeling of heading back to the school canteen. Bright colors (orange, green and light wood) and staff that look like school children in their neat lime and moss green outfits.
The most popular choices at MOS include the seafood rice burger, for which scallops, shrimp and assorted vegetables are fried into a tempura-like cake and served with sweet (of course) Japanese sauce. If you think using rice to replace flour is scary, go for the MOS cheeseburger, where the steak is generally thicker and much juicier than in other fast-food restaurants. And don’t miss the meat sauce, which is a little bit spicy to stimulate your appetite. The burger itself is tiny (about three sliders), fits in the palm of your hand, comes with a greasy burger (yippee), mayo, and options of lettuce or tomato.
Fred (right) & Barney doing their old Bedrock thing in Shake-’em Buns
The price of a burger set meal (burger, fries, drink) is an affordable HK$35 - 45). MOS burger is in: Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Rd, Kwun Tong; G/F, 2-4 Hong On St, Quarry Bay; Level 4A, Langham Place, 8 Argyle St, Mng Kok; MegaBox, Wang Chiu Rd, Kowloon Bay; Level 3, Seiyu, New Town Plaza Phase 111, 2-8 Sha Tin Centre St, Sha Tin
Party like a rock-star; totally dude when it comes to MOS
Freshness Burger chain is a 250 outlet strong burger company in Korea and Japan. Their burger outlets have oak colored tables and neutral tones which exude a homey feel - think Starbucks of Burger Joints - and make you want to sit and chat, not scoff and off! They have a number of Japanese inspired burgers; teriyaki burger (HK$20) and menchi burger (minced Aussie beef, HK$22). Freshness burger is only HK$22 and is a burger with a real Japanese touch. A thin patty of quality Aussie beef, Japanese mayo, chopped onions, meaty bolongnese sauce (yummy), and a plump tomato slice in a soft pumpkin bun. They also have American classic burger range (HK$26 - 42) with hormone-free Australian patties, lettuce, tomoto and onion. Their outlets are in: Level 2 Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Canton Rd, TST; Shop 110, 1/F Windsor House, 31 Gloucester Rd, Causeway Bay; Dorsett Far East Hotel, 135-143 Castle Peak Rd, Tsuen Wan.
The battle-the-burgers is now taken on the form of global warfare. Whilst the Japanese burgers are rather small (2/3 of the size) in comparison to their Western competitors, they both seem to be doing brisk tre. And with the price of Hong Kong real estate some of the priciest in the world; they need to.
Fighting back on the Western front, Burger King is flourishing among Victoria Peak’s tourist trade and homesick expatriates. With a two branches at the airport, there is even time to pack on the pounds instead of subjecting yourself to mass-produced bland airplane foda. And we here word that next year, Queen’s Road, Wanchai will see the Californian based Fatburger chain enter the market. On the subject of new openings; Duke’s Burger is now open; their first store is in Staunton Street. Now these little babies are what I term ‘Fancy-pants’ burgers. All sorts of interesting combinations developed personally by the self proclaimed burger loving owner/ operator. Expect foie-gras, special imported beef, turkey burgers, fish burgers etc. And also expect a big bill.
The fat-man is on his way to Hong Kong
Atomic Patty - The Great Burger Shed, opened in party-land-mad Lan Kwai Fong (LKF for locals) Central a few months back. Since then, many alcohol-fuelled-revellers have sworn by a burger chaser after a harrowing night on the turps! It is predominantly a take-away place (they have room for about 12 in house diners) and burgers are priced from HK$56 for the “Cadillac of burgers” : a hand-pressed, black Angus beef pattie, hand-pressed on the day, in a baked on the day chewy bun, with lashings of lettuce, tomato, onion, dill pickles, homemade tomato relish and their Atomic sauce. The Atomic Betty (cheese, bacon, and mushroom) is HK$68 and well worth the price. Lashings of meat, piggy-strips and lots of melted cheese. Having witnessed their fresh veggies being delivered in the morning outside their steel roll-up door prior to opening, I can attest that all is good at Atomic.
Al’s Diner (G/F, Shop F 27-39 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 2521 8714) at the top of Lan Kwai Fong, has been an institution in LKF for well over 10 years. With a theme set in the ’50s and ’60s with its retro style décor and lighting, and Wurlitzer Jukebox. The menu, too, is classic. On this visit we tried the Wake Up Little Suzy ($115) (all their burgers are named after old songs) a pure beef patty topped by bacon, egg and mushroom between two light, and fluffy buns. The beef patty packs a punch, and the toppings well cooked and delicious. Burgers came with crisp fries and coleslaw, the latter was nicely garnished with loads of mayo. There of course is a reason ‘Al’s’ has stayed on the street that sees many other establishments change like soiled sheets. The reason Al’s stays a parched a clean sheet is: simple and high quality burgers.
In addition to the bigger chains and the gourmet burgers in HK, there is a few Mum and Pop shops that carve out an interesting niche. They are dotted all over the territory, thus ensuring that no matter what you’re looking for; you will not go without a wonderful burger.
WGH correspondent in Hong Kong welcomes your insight on burgers. Please drop us a line or send us your very own review (good or bad) on burger joints recently opened in HK.
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