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Header image courtesy of Burger Circus
Originally published by Ching Yuen. Last updated by Alisa Chau.
Most people want a perfect relationship, but we just want a hamburger that tastes as good as it looks in the commercials! And so, we went on a hunt to find the best burgers across Hong Kong, which proved to be a divisive subject even within the hardened foodies on the Localiiz team. As the wise Channing Tatum once said: “Life is too short to miss out on beautiful things like a double cheeseburger!” Read on for our picks and see if you agree with our choices!
Burger Joys in Wan Chai may be the answer to our burger prayers. Priding itself on using only USDA Black Angus beef patties that are cooked in a unique red wine butter and soft brioche buns that are fresh and fluffy thanks to their top-secret recipe, the signature double cheeseburger ($139) is the perfect way to get a taste of this delicious goodness.
A favourite amongst expats, The Big Bite serves its burger and fries Canadian-style. Its signature six-ounce Canadian sirloin ($78) burger is sandwiched between a plaited bun to ramp up the aesthetic, and wedged with imported beef patties that are seasoned and grilled to perfection. It tastes best with a side of poutine fries ($48).
The Big Bite, G/F, 8–16 Clarence Terrace, Shek Tong Tsui | (+852) 2857 2508
After spending years researching the ideal meat-to-bun ratios, patty recipes, and cheese meltability—to name a few factors of perfecting a hamburger—Beef & Liberty is more than eager to share its burger obsession with everyone. We would recommend the classic bacon cheeseburger ($139), made with Wicks Manor English bacon, raclette cheese, and caramelised onions, to see whether they have nailed the perfect stack or not.
Burger Circus takes after its name and sure has fun with its burgers! Made from five ounces of USDA-certified prime three-way chuck, the burger patties are freshly ground throughout the day, grilled to order, and served on a pillowy, toasted bun. Sink your teeth into the classic American cheeseburger ($88) made with a secret “circus” sauce, or try one of the monthly specials for an extra memorable meal. Round off the nostalgic experience in its adorable shopfront—which has been decorated to resemble a mix between an old-timey train carriage and diner—by indulging in a frothy milkshake (starting from $68).
Burger Circus, G/F, 22 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2878 7787
A global burger giant, Shake Shack made a name for itself with its pillowy buns, crispy fries, and frozen custards. Shake Shack’s patties are said to be made with all-natural Angus beef and no hormones and no antibiotics, ever. All burgers are cooked medium unless otherwise requested, served on a non-GMO Martin’s potato roll. Aside from testing out the latest seasonal option from its rotating menu of limited items, the SmokeShack (starting from $65) with sumptuous applewood-smoked bacon is one of our favourites for sure.
Make sure to put in an order of the crispy cheese fries ($36), topped with a special blend of cheddar and American cheese sauce. A gulp of the frozen custard—which is much thicker than the average milkshake—would be the perfect finishing touch for this meal.
Spotlighting one of the star ingredients that make for an exceptional burger, La Casa’s offerings takes things up a notch with its cheesy selections. Melding the freshly grilled, savoury flavours of different toppings with unique combinations of various kinds of cheeses, La Casa’s mouthwatering picks make for some seriously decadent eats.
Aside from the beloved sirloin and truffle Mozzarella burger ($89), the Duroc pork and fontina burger ($72) showcases an exciting combination that is given distinct dimension with its sweet and sour glaze. Load up on truffle mayo fries ($35) for a hearty feast.
La Casa Burger & Pasta , G/F, 2 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2505 0555
Honbo is a grassroots burger restaurant that is deeply connected to local farmers, brewers, and artisans. With a mission to celebrate the best natural produce that Hong Kong has to offer, the vegetables used in its recipes are harvested in Yuen Long and its ingredients are delivered fresh to Honbo’s doorstep every day. For the ultimate explosion of hearty goodness, try the Honbo 2.0 burger ($169), made with four two-ounce beef patties, triple cheese, pickles, onions and house sauce. Do you think you can tackle the whole thing?
At the Butchers Club Burger, cuts of rump, chuck, and brisket are first dry-aged, then ground in the restaurant and sprinkled with a secret seasoning blend before it goes on the grill. When given the opportunity to chow down on the Texan ($90), we find ourselves going to town on this towering stack of beef, bacon, caramelised onion, onion rings, and generous smatterings of sauce and blue cheese. With the unbeatable mix of burgers, fries, beer, and bourbon on the menu, you will be in for a good time!
The Butchers Club Burger, G/F, Westland Gardens, 12 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay
Since 1928, Triple O’s has been serving buns to customers in Vancouver. Fast-forward to now and the burger chain has also become a staple in Hong Kong. Consisting of an Australian beef patty and a huge slice of crunchy pickle on top, the original burger ($62) is a must-try. Ask for an extra serving of their signature sauce for maximum enjoyment!
Another household name for burgers, Five Guys is an American export that’s well-known for its home-style stacks. Hand-formed patties are taken fresh off the grill and placed on a soft, toasted bun, and you can choose to add a slew of toppings before they wrap it up in aluminium foil to keep the flavours and heat in. Five Guys promises to use only fresh ground beef for its patties, and to honour this promise, there are no freezers in any of its shop locations—just coolers to keep the meat fresh for the day.
Electric Ave quietly serves some of Hong Kong’s best burgers in a hidden corner of Mid-Levels. Every burger comes with fries and soda, and Electric Ave has a limited-edition section on its menu for seasonal specials that are bound to surprise you. However, the Mac Daddy ($125) takes the cake as our consistent favourite. We are also huge fans of the beautifully seasoned five-hour hand-cut bone marrow chips ($70) on the side, too.
Electric Avenue, 1/F, 45A Graham Street, Central
Having lived in Hong Kong, Beijing, and London sure is a fun fact whenever people try to guess Ching’s accent. She loves switching between all these language channels and her “mother tongue” is just determined by how many drinks she’s had for the night! She loves movies, travelling, and exploring cities, from hidden alleys to gourmet dining, so feel free to hit her up if you need any suggestions for dinner!
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