Restaurant Review - Burgermine



Burgermine, named People's Favorite Burger, is one unique burger spot located in the Itaewon Haebangchon area that allows for customers to get a DIY burger. This all you can eat option is where you can pick your own unilimited topping of anything and everything after given the patties for your burger. It is a popular option for many because the amount you can consume. This DIY Burger option is just $15 with fries and beverages.

For others who are not looking to down so much, Burgermine makes their own burgers with a variety of combinations. The burgers are rather plain in taste, nothing that special which is reflected in the photo. They offer two salad options which is the garden (a huge plate of veggies topped with bacon bits and a balsamic vinegar dressing) and a chicken caesar salad. There is also the option of other sides which include the mouthwatering Chili Cheese Fries which is not exactly that.

It was a huge disappointment for the simple reason that deep fried fries were topped with sliced cheese and thrown into a microwave. The chilli on top was just not appealing to taste with a bland, can taste. Personally, it is not a recommendation unless you are going for the all you can eat option.

Burgermine is a pretty chill place to go with graffiti on the walls and a dimmed lighting environment. It wouldn't be the best place to take a date, but hanging out with friends is on the list, especially if you are all the type with a big stomach! 

Address:Seoul, Yongsan-gu, Yongsan-dong-2-ga 45-9
용산구 용산동 2가 4-9

Phone: 070-8263-2034

Directions: From the Noksapyeong station on line 6 of the brown, take exit 2 and go straight to the light. Take the hill up on your left and go straight. Go all the way up and after a long 5 minute walk, you will see an international market on your left. Past the market, you will see Burgermine on your right.

Hidden Treasures - The Baker's Table

The Baker's Table
is one place by the Noksapyeong station of Itaewon-Haebangchon area that has all of the foreigners raving. Baking up fresh bread daily, it is the go to place for a handful of bread and pastries that range on the menu. The best part is that this small cozy shack uses their fresh breads in their menu with selections of panini, sandwiches, and breakfast goods that is the most popular option for many.

Incorporating the all American and European breakfast, many of the locals and foreigners visit the Baker's Table. The only problem is the small number of seating that is available which means that it is always packed. For this reason, many locals drop by to have sandwiches and baked goods for takeout. 

In regards to the menu, everything is listed at an affordable and not outrageous price which is how most brunch locations price their foods. There is a lot of rave behind Baker's Table. The only problem is I didn't find much hype behind some of their food. The chicken and cilantro panini seemed to be on a little of the dry end with not so much of a cilantro kick. The bread was definitely on point, but the combination did not do it for me. 

The potato wedges on the other hand is a must order. Fresh potatoes are sliced, coated with seasoning, pan fried, deep fried, and served with a side of salsa. This unique kick definitely offers something different and because it is made fresh, it may take a bit of time to whip up, but definitely worth the wait. 

On average, sandwiches cost $7 and breakfast plasters around $11. Portions are average, but satisfactory for the price. Breads and baked goodies range in price that start at $2. With great combinations and a wide option that does not subject to just the Korean take of bakery items, grabbing a few pieces to go is recommended. Their goods are extremely fluffy and tasty, something that is worth sharing with others. 

Directions: Take exit 2 of the Noksaypyeong station and go straight until you see an underpass to go across the street. Take the underpass going down to the other side. Take the exit on your left and go straight across the street. Walk straight for almost two blocks, past Craftworks and Once Upon a Milkshake and you will see the Baker's Table on your right.

Address: 244-1 Noksapyeong daero Itaewon-dong Yongsan Gu, Seoul, Korea
녹사평 대로 이태원동 용산구 244-1
Phone: 070-7717-3501

Hidden Treasures - Casablanca

Casablanca is probably hands down, the best joint in Seoul. This hidden treasure is the one recommendation to anyone for a special meal that is not only cheap, but delicious. What is there to know? You're paying $4-5 for a Moroccan sandwich that is made fresh from scratch, including the bread. Baked fresh everyday, the small restaurant opens at 5PM and closes when the bread sells out. Exactly that, the bread sells out as early as 8pm. 

The two brothers bake up a fresh crispy and flaky bread on the exterior and soft and fluffy on the interior. The fresh bread helps to accentuate the taste of the sandwich that is made with maokooda (a special spiced fried potato patty with lettuce, tomato, onion, olive, and pickles). Although the restaurant is known for their chicken sandwich, the lamb chili is the one recommendation to be made. If possible, buying the bread should be an option, but too bad it's not. 

It is totally worth it to make a travel up a hill just to grab a sandwich from the two brothers. Although the restaurant is extremely small in size, they try to serve up the goodies as fast as possible and take out is the way to go if there is no seats available. In addition to the amazing sandwiches, there is a small menu of cheap goodies which includes side salad and a small soup. This quick stop restaurant is the place to go to grab a bite and be on your way for drinks elsewhere in Itaewon.

From the Noksapyeong station on line 6 of the brown, take exit 2 and go straight to the light. Take the hill up on your left and go straight. Go all the way up and after a long 5 minute walk, you will see an international market on your left. Past the market, you will see Casablanca on your left. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Sugar Daddy

Everyone knows I have the craziest sweet tooth, especially for cupcakes. I have been on the search in Seoul for forever now to find the best cupcakes and constantly let down each time. Sugar Daddy is definitely the only one that comes close, almost the perfect cupcake. Sugar Daddy is an extremely small shop in Itaewon where the baker is in the store baking and decorating as she sells cupcakes from the same table. This extremely small and cozy spot is filled with all things delicious which are not only cupcakes! 

Sugar Daddy offers cupcake sized pies, mini cheesecakes, fudge bars, cookies, and cupcakes of traditional flavors as well as all things crazy. Many of the ingredients used in the recipes are ordered from foreign markets and online stores which explains the quality of the baked goods. Furthermore, the owner (Yumi Jung) tries to incorporate all things crazy that Americans love into her baked goods which provides her with another bonus thumbs up.

I am absolutely in love with Sugar Daddy for the amazing service for starters. Yumi had two stools in front and offered seating for us to consume our root beer cupcake and key lime pie. She then proceeded to offer us a cup of tea, Australia's T2 tea which she allowed us to choose from a wide selection of flavors. Halfway into our baked goods, she then offered us a freshly baked cookie from her cooling rack. 

In terms of her baked goods: the root beer cupcake is definitely a special kind of cupcake which is a fun eat. The root beer kick to the cupcake takes it to a whole new level. I'm personally not a fan of root beer, but this cupcake definitely changed my mind. Topped with a "scoop of icecream" and a "straw" for consumption, this cute it is a blast of flavor with a fluffy cake base, whipped fondant-icing like cream, and a drizzle of deliciousness. 

The mini key lime pie, made of a graham cracker base that is topped with a key lime filling is also on point. The tart key lime is not overpowering and it is the perfect blend with the crust, definitely a recommendation for anyone looking for something tangy but not too sour. The cookies are made of all things crazy as well, but like most Korean cookies, they are all hard and not soft-baked, but still delicious in taste!

For my cupcake hunt in Korea, I think I have found the best and closest thing. I definitely recommend Sugar Daddy to anyone who is looking for that perfect cupcake. With so much to choose from, you may be spending a little more than anticipated. Cupcakes and baked goods average at $4.50 a pop, cookies priced at $1 and totally worth every penny of it!

From the Noksapyeong station on line 6 of the brown, take exit 2 and go straight to the light. Take the hill up on your left and go straight. Go up the hill and you will see the small shop of Sugar Daddy on your right. This location in Haebangchon is actually closed.

updated
For the Itaewon Sugar Daddy shop that recently opened in replacement of the location above in Haebangchon, take exit 4 of the Itaewon station on line 6 and go straight by the McDonald's.