The Beijinger Burger Cup Returns to Ruin Your Diet!

Mark your calendars: May is officially the month you say adieu to your diet and instead gorge yourself on mouthwatering, succulent, juicy burgers. Yes, that’s right folks, the Beijinger’s annual Burger Cup is back, and in the coming weeks we’ll be profiling some of the city’s most irresistible patties and buns. You’ve been warned: Even the most stringent of diets will falter. The month-long event will feature exclusive burger promotions at select locations starting mid-May, our must-attend burger-fest Launch Party (Saturday, May 28), and a climactic battle between a bracket of 64 burger joints.

It’s going to be a tit-for-tat, beef-patty-for-beef-patty, special-sauce-for-special-sauce, type of showdown. And as always, our readers will ultimately get the final say as to which burger reigns supreme. But if you consider yourself a foodie, or even more, a self-proclaimed burger connoisseur, then let us implore you to make the most informed decision you can when it comes time for you to cast your burger ballot (help protect the sanctity of our free and fair foodie democracy!).

To help you brush up on the candidates (uh, I mean, burgers), here’s a list of last year's top twelve, which you might want to consider trying before things really heat up:

No. 12: Lily's American Diner

Name of signature burger: The Lily’s Burger, RMB 49, served with home-made fries or a salad 

Why it’s so damn tasty: Nothing can be more American than a cookout featuring a freshly grilled burger, a cold beer, and plate of coleslaw. Coleslaw may be an oddity for diners outside of North America, but it’s what makes the Lily’s Burger unique: this savory burger is topped by this creamy, crunchy topping. Those of us who grew up with coleslaw will never want to have it on the side again. 

Shuangjing:  Unit 2-18, Bldg 2, Tianzhi Jiaozi, 31 Guangqu Lu (northeast corner of Shuangjing Qiao), Chaoyang District 2-18; Daily 10am-midnight; 6592 5548

Sanlitun:  1-037, Bldg 5, Shoukai Bojun, 8 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District 1-037; Daily 8am-midnight; 8418 5497

Sihui: Jindi Mingjing (200 meters east of north gate), C1 Exit of Sihui Station, Chaoyang District, Daily 10am-midnight; 6556 3817

No. 11: Plan B

Name of signature burger: The Bronco Burger, RMB 60, served with choice of hand cut fries or fresh veggie sticks with honey mustard dipping sauce 

Why it’s so damn tasty: Forget gourmet. Trevor Metz, the owner of this Shuangjing-area sports bar, knows all the home-style secrets needed to grill a truly mouthwatering burger. The buns are made fresh on site every day, and so is the Jack Daniels-infused barbecue sauce that laces the Bronco Burger, which also features crispy bacon, cheese, fried onions and jalapenos. If you’re hankering for a satisfying burger and have lost your appetite for pretentious sandwiches, then look no further than Plan B’s Bronco.  

Shuangjing: 2-012, 22 International Art Plaza, Pingod, 32 Baiziwan Lu, (east of the Today Art Museum), Chaoyang District, Daily 5pm-late; 5821 1353

No. 10: Frost Coffee, Cocktails and Dining

Name of signature burger: The Frost Burger, RMB 48 (single), RMB 68 (double), served with a side salad of mixed greens, cucumbers and tomatoes with house-made lemon vinaigrette   

Why it’s so damn tasty: Generic buns are forsaken and English muffins are applied in this creative Brit-Friendly twist on a hamburger, served with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and all the dressings on the side (house-made habanero sauce, European-style honey mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup). The beef is also ground on site, and special care is taken to balance the fat content to a highly tasty level that doesn’t succumb to greasiness.  

Xingfucun: 55 Xingfucun Zhonglu (in the alleyway across from April Gourmet), Chaoyang District; Mon-Fri 7.30am-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-2am; 6417 5430

No. 9: Q Mex

Name of signature burger: Carnitas Burger, RMB 65, served with roasted corn, double-fried potato wedges or Mexican cabbage coleslaw  

Why it’s so damn tasty: This savory, spicy burger may be the most unique offering amongst all the top-tier competitors. Chef Marcus Medina delved into his Mexican roots for the recipe, shredding the braised pork that is typically used for burrito filling and placing the savory meat between two firm, impeccably chewy buns.  

Sanlitun: Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu (east of The Bookworm) Chaoyang District; Mon-Thu 10am-2pm, Sat-Sun 10am-3am; 6585 3828

No. 8: The Big Smoke 

Name of signature burger: Portabella Blue Cheese Burger, RMB 68, served with truffle fries 

Why it’s so damn tasty: The Big Smoke’s signature burger is served as a double-decker, with a smoky beef patty capped by a blue cheese-stuffed Portabella mushroom. A stroke of creative genius that has kept this burger in our Top 12 three years running. 

Xingfucun: Lee World Building (down the alley from Frost Nails), 57 Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang District; Mon-Thu  11am-midnight; Fri-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-10pm; 6416 5195

No. 7: Let's Burger

Name of signature burger: Cheese King Burger, RMB 129, no sides 

Why it’s so damn tasty: Consider it a volcano of deliciousness ready to erupt on your tastebuds. This burger is chock full of mozzarella, Danish brie cheese and cream cheese on a red pepper wedge, filling your dairy quota for days to come. 

Sanlitun: B1/F, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu (opposite Colibri Cafe), Chaoyang District; Daily 11am-11pm; 6415 2772 

Solana: Unit L-RS-206, Bldg 11, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District

No. 6: Union Bar & Grille

Name of signature burger: Double Cheese Burger, RMB 88 (single), RMB 155 (double), served with thin-cut fries and fresh coleslaw 

Why it’s so damn tasty: Many Beijing restaurants import Australian beef for their burgers, but Union has taken that practice several steps further by only using grain-fed Aussie beef aged for 21 days. Aside from the high quality of their meat, Union gives diners lots of options, always asking patrons how well they want their burger cooked and offering a selection of cheeses (cheddar, Swiss or blue). 

Sanlitun: S6-31, 3/F, Bldg 6, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District; Mon-Fri 11am-11pm,Sat-Sun 11am-midnight; 6415 9117

No. 5: Blue Frog

Name of signature burger: The Montana, RMB 98, served with French fries or sweet potato fries 

Why it’s so damn tasty: This burger is a behemoth, requiring two hands to handle even for the most massive of foodies. This heftiness is not only due to its huge all-beef Aussie patty, but also the toppings, especially the thick onion ring served on top. The Montana takes its moniker from the homeland of Blue Frog’s founder.  

Sanlitun: S2-30, Level 3, S2 Tower, 19 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District; Daily 10am-late; 6417 4030 

Guomao: 15-16, 1/F, Bldg AB, Ocean International Center, 10 JingtongXilu, Chaoyang District  

Chaoyangmenwai: 1/F, Bldg 1, U-Town, SanfengBeili, Chaoyang District; Daily 10am-late; 8561 2665

No. 4: Great Leap Brewing #12 Brewpub

Signature Burger: The Cheeseburger, RMB 55, served with French fries or onion rings 

Why it’s so damn tasty: Stop by this brewpub restaurant at nearly any point during its opening hours – be it a weekend evening or a weekday afternoon – and you’ll find it jam-packed. That popularity can be attributed to its excellent range of craft beers and also to its sizzling, savory cheeseburger. With a recipe written by top-notch chef Kin Hong (of Taco Bar fame), there’s little wonder why this burger has been such a hit with pub-grub lovers, or why it has cracked the Top Five in our Burger Cup year after year.  

Xingfucun: 12 Xinzhong Jie, Dongcheng District; Sun-Thu 11.30am-1am Fri-Sat 11.30am-2am; 5712 4376

No. 3: Home Plate BBQ

Name of signature burger: The Itis, RMB 98, no sides 

Why it’s so damn tasty: This southern style barbecue stalwart is a three-time holder of the Burger Cup top slot, and their revamped 2015 entry has upped their game. In addition to its award-winning classic cheeseburger, Home Plate has unleashed its hulking Itis burger this year. The Itis doubles its predecessor’s patties and cheese slices and features the smokehouse’s house-cured maple bacon and its famous fried pickles, making it a burger to be reckoned with for years to come.  

Xiaoyun Lu: 35 Xiaoyun Lu courtyard (from Dongsanhuan Beilu, head 20m north of Xiaoyun Lu intersection and take the first right), Chaoyang District;Daily 11am-10pm;  5128 5584 

Sanlitun: Home Plate BBQ and The Bullpen, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District; Sun-Thu 11am-2am (food served until 1am), Fri-Sat 11am-3am (food served until 2am); 400 096 7670

No. 2: The Local Bar and Grille

Name of signature burger: The Dry Rub Avocado Burger, RMB 75, served with a small salad and a choice of fries, onion rings or sweet potato fries 

Why it’s so damn tasty: The dark horse of the 2015 Burger Cup competition, The Local’s beefy contender vaulted up the charts this year to end up at No. 2. Chock that success up to The Local’s unique blend of house salsa, slightly spicy dry rub, and of course the perfectly ripe avocado half from which this burger takes its name. Owner/Manager Kenn Bermel also attributes this burger’s strong showing to the quality of its ingredients, noting that only 100 percent Australian beef is used and avocados are sourced daily to ensure freshness. 

Sanlitun: Courtyard 4 (opposite west entrance of 1949 - The Hidden City), Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District; Daily 11am-2am;  6591 9525

No. 1: Slow Boat Brewery and Taproom

Name of signature burger: The Fryburger, RMB 50, served with a pickle 

Why it’s so damn tasty: This brewery’s beloved all-beef burger settled for runner up last year but sailed to a first place finish in 2015. Its success lies in careful preparation at their Dongsi taproom, as well as its unique placement of a French fry patty between the buns. Part of its success can be attributed to the homemade aioli that it is dressed with, which Slow Boat Owner Chandler Jurinka has described as a “a nutty and fragrant East-meets-West family recipe.” Foodies also love the Fryburger’s buns, which are light, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and delivered fresh daily. 

Dongsi: 56 Dongsi Batiao, Dongcheng District东城区东四八条56号; Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 2pm-1am, Sun 11.30-10pm; 6538 5537

And now something for the Mandarin-proficient among us ...

翻开你的日程表，让我们在这个五月开启暴风吸入模式并和你的减肥计划说再见吧！

肉汁四溢~ 爽滑酥嫩~ 口感饱满~ 唇齿留香！？ 

Yeah你猜的没错！

北京一年一度的汉堡盛宴回来啦！

接下来的几个星期the Beijinger会告诉你北京最好吃的汉堡餐厅都在哪里。全城高能预警让你的减肥计划暂时见鬼去吧！在即将到来的汉堡季the Beijinger还将给大家带来全城餐厅汉堡折扣大放送。

一场你绝对不能缺席的盛宴（5月28日，星期六）2016汉堡大战64强之争由你掌控！

各大餐厅摩拳擦掌蠢蠢欲动，这将是一场异常激烈的正面交锋大比拼，谁将赢得最后的汉堡杯之王由你们说了算！

如果你是一个吃货或认为自己是一名资深的汉堡专家，我们非常诚恳的希望你在汉堡杯投票来临之前先一步去各个餐厅了解它再投出这公平又神圣的一票。

Written by Scott DeVoy Su