Hand-in-Hand Burger Keeping it Real
Situated about halfway between Hongdae and Sinchon is a seemingly insignificant burger joint called Hand-in-hand Burger. Though the ceilings are high the place is small and minimalistic in their decoration, a bit factory like. Walking by you could easily dismiss it as just another burger joint serving up some mediocre stuff, and I would probably never had gone there had two of my locals friends not dragged me along one cold winter evening. I wasn’t particularly exited about going as burgers never really were my thing, but then I didn’t know that that was about to change for good.
Living up to their slogan “No fusion, Keep it Real” the joint serves up some very classic and very delicious burgers. The menu is small, there’s literally only four items to choose from, namely hamburger, cheeseburger, onion rings and fries. If you’re a really bad at making decisions this is a great place, as the options are limited, but even if that’s not your problem, you’ll probably still be able to enjoy Hand-in-Hand.
While waiting for our food I noticed a guy in a corner of the kitchen cutting up huge chunks of deep red meat into smaller pieces, which I found spoke in advantage of the place, at least they we’re serious about their meat. When our food finally arrived I was surprised to see that my cheeseburger had no fresh vegetables.
My initial disappointment with the lack of vegetables was, however, quickly replaced with great pleasure when I had my first bite of soft, sweet onions, juicy, savoury beef, and slightly tangy yet rich cheese that all blended together so perfectly. The fries we’re large and chunky, and while I cannot be sure they did look very hand cut, and the onion rings, oh those onion rings! They we’re huge, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and greasy all the way through, the batter was slightly seasoned with some herbs, salt and pepper, but nothing overpowering. To complete it all there were the classic ketchup, as well as a mayo dip, and some Tabasco in case one felt the need to spice things up a bit. My burger was gone all to soon closely followed by onion rings and fries, and then I did something I’ve never done before, I ordered a second round. It was just that good.
Now should you feel like trying out the place for yourself, I can tell you that it is pretty easy to find, you won’t have to go down long and winding alleyways. Simply walk down the road leading from Hongdae University towards Sinchon (when you stand facing the university follow go left, just follow the big road you’re already on) you can’t help but pass Hand-in-Hand burger situated between 7-eleven and Paris Baguette. It’s on the same side of the road as the university, about ten minutes of walking depending on how fast you walk.
Bon appetit!
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