This one came highly recommend when I announced the hunt. So when I found out I could conveniently fit it into my schedule, I tossed my diet and ran over Home(made) Burger. I use the parentheses since there seems to be some confusion from the name, and as you can see the sign does not help much.
As you may be able to tell it is a booth in the main food court section of COEX mall. I have never been a big fan of this place. It always feels like I am dinning in a goldfish bowl made for humans. This effect is further accentuated by the huge big screen showing random crap, which reminds me of the dining facility in the oil-derrick prison in the movie Face/Off. Unlike the prison though the staff of Home(made) Burger is friendly. English is spoken.
The menu covers the basics. Six sorts of burgers, a handful of chicken sandwiches, permutations of chili cheese fries, and some random other sandwiches and hot dogs. I order the “Original Home Burger”, which as you can see comes in a set with slaw, fries, and sweet pickles. Price for the set (includes drink), W5,950.
I want to talk about my buns. This no joke, I have always felt that the bread is something that can make or break a sandwich. Home(made) Burger nailed in this respect. Light enough not to take away from the meat and fixins, but not so light it as no character or turns to mush.
Of course one of the reasons it did not go to mush was the meat. It had a good patty, about 150g I estimate, but it was death valley dry. While this place wants to be in the “thick patty” category the lack of greasy juice is definite drawback. Also based on the fake food like grey throughout the patty, the lack of juice, and the fact I got it in about 2-3 minutes I seriously question commenters saying they are cooked to order.
Sides were quite good. Fries needed salt, but I have learned to live without in Korea. Slaw was excellent, but gets downgrade for the inclusion of corn.
However at this point I am quibbling. Especially considering the price point. Not a bad…not bad at all.
Home(made) burger: **** (out of five)
Home(made) burger
Main Food Court ,COEX Mall
Samseong Stn. (Line 2 green)
English Menus and Staff
42 Comments
The fries look great, like they just diced up the spuds fresh…the slaw, who cares? It’s just an excuse to tell mom you ate some vegetables.
The price is reasonable, except I’d expect a drink to be included.
I don’t understand the “cooked to order” here. Did you tell them how you wanted it?
Sounds like you caught them at an odd hour. I’ve never gotten the “Death Valley dry” burger. But it is not really a sloppy juicer either. That grey color makes me think they use an egg in the patty as a binding agent; I’m sure there’s something in there other than just meat.
The spud cutter is just to the left of the cash register. They do slice ‘em up right there. That’s also where the bread dough gets kneaded and portioned for the buns before it goes into the oven.
That cole slaw is an accommodation to the local market. Of course there should be little pieces of corn in there!
Never been there, but why the take down on corn? I’ve never understood why foreigners here get upset about corn. Personally I like corn and I like it on my pizza too.
The most important part of the burger is “death valley dry” and it gets 4 stars?! That must be one hell of a bun.
I’ve noticed this generosity of spirit in Dram Man myself! He thinks Kraze Burger is a ripoff W20,000 turd on a bun and it gets three out of five. I think Home Made Burger is so much better than Kraze, and such a better value, that to only have one star difference is quite shocking.
Back in the day, I went with a restaurant critic for the L.A. Times to review a restaurant, which entailed ordering most of the menu. Take a few friends with you next time and try it. You can sample a bunch of things that way and see how consistent the kitchen is. I’m sure Mr. Marmot will cover your bill
Cutting a burger in half? Sacrelige.
Forget these high-priced franchises. Stick with a Miss Lee’s or Miss Kim’s burger right outside the main gate of Osan Air Base. If you’re totally sloshed, there’s not a better burger in the world.
Soybean (I think, who knows, who cares when they’re drunk?) meat pattie, a fried egg, sliced cucumber, onions, shredded cabbage, cheese, mayo and ketchup. I could never eat one sober, but after a night partying, there’s nothing better your 1,500 won will buy you :).
check out Smokies Saloon in Itaewon…
them some burgers
Smokies is a good, juicy burger, but unless it’s changed its pricing it’s goofy expensive. I remember laughing when I saw the menu. Add 1000 won for a slice of greenish tomato and a leaf of pale lettuce. Those are burger standards in my book. (If anyone visits soon check to see whether ketchup and mustard are pay-for-it options.) Also, they were having soggy-fries troubles, which is unforgivable at 3000-4000 won. Dined there soon after it opened, but as the Missus and I spent about 25,000 for dinner, we haven’t been back.
Last summer, I ate at McDee’s inside COEX. The prices were the same as the US. Burgers were OK, too.
I think that place is cheaper than this Home Made burger.
Baduk, God luv ya, you’re right. But we’re all looking for a great burger.
the food critic in my hometowne usually goes with a group of four so that she can taste a bit of everything off the menu. she also goes roughly three seperate times during one week to make sure she’s not catching them on a really off day.
however, if the goal is to find the best burger, i guess you don’t need three other people to order burgers, too. but, going more than once to get a rough feel for the place seems fair.
what about the food critic for the korea herald? i can’t remember his name, but he and his wife wrote the “porkers” pieces. it might be worth talking to him to see what he says about the best burgers in seoul.
All self-respecting kyopos put liberal doses of tabasco sauce on their burgers and fries.
Andy Salmon, the Porkers columnist, is English — don’t trust his word on any burgers!
Andrew Salmon wrote some crazy restaurant reviews–including bathroom descriptions and about getting “ring sting” from hot curry. Now he’s at the IHT doing straight news.
Brits like their beef overdone and vegetables smashed up like baby food.
Anybody know a good steakhouse in Seoul? (The answer would not be “Outback”)
Are we talking cheeseburgers or hamburgers?
No, seouldout, we’re not all looking for a burger.
Can you get a bleu cheese burger there?
Is the COEX mall and the basement of Hyundai Department store one in the same??
–Remort
Monclaire, correction noted. Whatcha lookin’ for in the Korea Burger Hunt?
Michael, though not a steakhouse I think the 3 Alley Pub’s ribeye is very good. Very good steaks at the Navy Club, if you have base access. My wife recommends Grill H in Gangnam, but she likes her steaks medium well, so her judgment is suspect. It would be great if there were a steakhouse or butcher that sold 21-day aged beef.
Remort, haven’t seen a bleu cheese burger here. Can’t recall seeing bleu fromage on a menu except at the international-class hotels. Pungent cheeses aren’t too popular. These guys evidently deliver to S. Korea. And thanks for mentioning it; forgotten that I have a crock of Stilton in the fridge.
Good to see I am generating controversy for “the hole”.
The reason a “Death Valley Dry” burger gets four stars is a combination of literary license and frankly my expectations being so high based on the many posts. The patty was just OK frankly and thats what pulled the burger down from a five to four. The thing is a pick for the area, but nothing to go out of your way for in the view of your humble hunter.
As for the ongoing Kraze burger controversy (and perhaps related to this one), I am beginning to wonder if I have been in Korea too long and what I am willing to accept for a decent burger a little low.
What ever the case, places can always be re-reviewed. Kraze may get that treatment once I have found a better survey of “good” and “bad” burgers.
Oh, I should also add for the benefit of Sparkles and all involoved that yes I did deduct points for cutting burger in half (not much though).
“Good to see I am generating controversy for “the hole”.”
Yeah because you are a 똥구.
“The reason a “Death Valley Dry” burger gets four stars is a combination of litary licence and frankly my expectations being so high based on the many posts.”
litary licence?
What do you mean by that?
“my expectations being so high based on the many posts”
Ah, so your judgment is clouded by your preconceptions. Does that apply to everything that you say here at “the hole”?
Personally attacking a new guest blogger at the Hole for supposed inadequacy…curiously pops up after Shelton calls out ‘pyotr’ as Kushibo…Is LeoStrauss the latest incarnation of Kushibora?
Leo> Thanks for reminding me to run a spell check. Comment corrected.
“Dry aging” beef is essentially controlled rotting. Except for the control part, there are a lot of butchers selling aged meat in Seoul. Shop around! Ask your local butcher for his oldest beef.
the worst burger I ever had was at a KOTESOL conference. While walking towards Sook Myung Dae I stopped at a small shop and their burger had no burger in it. Only bun and coleslaw. What a disappointment.
Besides the burger itself what drives me crazy is when I go to McDonalds with my kids and they want teh toy that is displayed. The last time I tried this the cashier told me they were all ouf of red cars and pink Miss Kitty toys. They had them on display though! How can they lure kids in and switch the toy after you order.
It they are out of a toy they should not be allowed to advertise that the cool ones are still left.
Who wants to start a campain with me? No baiting and switching or false advertising.
Landros,
I visited your website and you have some kind of teacher organization going on.
That is a wonderful idea. All foreign English teachers should unionize. Yes, unionize! And, demand higher wages and better working conditions.
for a good steak the Aussie Grill is worthwhile
It seems like this Burger Hunt has become kind of an excuse for Marmot to get off his diet!
Don’t do Marmot, don’t do it!
Just say no.
Andy “Justin Henin-Hardine” Salmon.
Kraze Burger’s unquestionably overpriced, and their buns suck - way too sweet. I do like their chili-cheese fries, but they’re still overpriced.
I’ve only walked by the Home(made) Burger in COEX, but I agree with Dram man’s ‘fishbowl’ comment - at least it seems that way from outside. Despite that, their burger looks good, those fries look great, and the price is right. So, if the bun doesn’t taste like something that came off the sweets shelf at Paris Baguette, then they’re gonna get some of my business.
It’s not too late to recalibrate the grading scheme. Make Kraze two stars, Homemade Burger three. Burger King whopper one, McD’s hamburger zero. Or some kind of scale like that.
Btw, Mr. Salmon is no longer writing for the IHT. And his restaurant reviews appear in the Joongang Daily.
If Kraze is two stars, then Home Made Burger gets 3.5. But the zero point on any burger scale must be reserved for Lotteria — this must be sacrosanct.
I said it once and I will say it again places can always be re-reviewed. Some of these inital places definatly will once I get a better idea what is out there.
Its easy to select a lower-limit (and actually I would rank Lotteria below McD’s). However finding the upper limit is tough. Be patient people, this is actually a lot harder than it seems.
Seouldout, Komtengi, thanks for the steakhouse recs, I’ll check them out.
Lotteria has the perfect name–negative stars, in fact, black hole.
Lotteria 한우 불고기 and 새우 burgers are good.
한우 불고기 is much better than any mcdonald’s burger in Korea.
Just stay away from their “premium” line (paprika bacon beef and European frico cheese burger)
I know it is outside of the Seoul area but one of the best burgers I have had recently was at the Foreign Seamen or Sailors’ Club next to the Pusan Train Station. I think you are supposed to be a merchant marine or part of someone’s military to get in - but I had no problem and the burgers are great. They are very large and very cheap - maybe 4,000 won plus or minus depending on the won rate - and come with fries. Can’t go wrong. However, this is a matter of personal taste so….don’t send Andy there.
BK’s whopper is a 1 out of 5? *boggle* Whoppers deserve at least a 2.5 ~ 3/5 rating based on its size, quality, and toppings alone, not to mention the number of BKs locations peppered all over Korea. Even though BK has some of the worst french fries I’ve ever had the displeasure of eating, its onion rings more than make up for this short-coming, as I believe, it’s a no-charge substitution in a set/combo meal experience.
I would agree with McDonald’s being a 2 or a 2.5 out of 5 though; Big Macs aren’t the worst I’ve eaten in Korea, especially given their very delicious french fries and cheap desserts, that’s for damn sure. It’s pretty cute to see all the Korean kids go absolutely wild, and bouncing off the walls after eating McD’s ice cream.
–Remort
Robert, is that seamans club on the train station side or on Texas Street? I
distinctly remember being at seaman/sailors club at the end of Texas Street
and vaguely recall them having burgers.
Also, if you are Robert D. Neff, the writer, I’ve been hoping to get in touch regarding http://wiki.galbijim.com/Galbi.....ok_project
The only email that I could find of yours is bouncing.
Sorry — this guy is Robert Neff, the gigolo. We’ll try to get you the writer’s details.
You guys are all crazy. When I was desperate for a burger, Kraze did hit the spot. But if you want a great burger the only real thing to do is fly to Hong Kong and eat at Dan Ryan’s. Barring that you can go to the Paris Grill at the Hyatt and get a real burger–just request it–they will make it for you. Note–tell the waiter specifically how you want your burger topped. It’s been five years but the info should hold up.