Have You Had Beijing's Top 12 Burgers?
Editor's note: While
2021 is long gone and the 2022 Burger Fest is not yet formalized, it's a
good a time as any to get out and try the city's top burgers as of last
year. This'll not only help you brush up on your foodie chops, but
it'll also get you ready to vote in this year's Burger Cup
Though the 2021 Burger Cup came to a close last year, here at the Beijinger the mouthwatering competition is still fresh in our minds. Simply put, we just can’t get over how bomb all those burgers were!
This year’s cup didn’t disappoint, especially near the final rounds, when it seemed as if upstart Slider Nation – which had attended previous Burger Fests as Sliders by Henry – seemed poised to become a Cinderella story, knocking out last year’s champ Side Street before moving on to take out Great Leap Brewing.
However, their hopes were dashed by 2017 champs Q Mex, who wound up placing an admirable second to Slow Boat Brewery, the Burger Cup’s most decorated winner with an impressive five titles to date.
Each
year, we compile a recap of the Top 12 Burgers in Beijing to give
burger lovers far and wide a handy list if they’ve not tried any – or
all – of them. This year, though, we’re mixing things up with a new
category: Best New Burger, which goes to the two top-ranked newbies in our annual Burger Cup. This year's honorees are:
BNB
Best New Burger: Burge’s Bistro & Bar 小伯格酒馆
Their must-try burger: Burge’s Beef Burger (RMB 78)
We're
a sucker for a burger that fancies itself...well, fancy, and Burge's
Beef Burger does not disappoint. Just feast your eyes on this Wagyu beef
patty topped with melted buffalo mozzarella cheese, wine-caramelized
onions, and a balsamic mustard sauce. They took a simple ‘ol burger from
0 to 100 real quick.
RU
Runner Up, Best New Burger: Niu Burger 橘气牛蘑王手工汉堡
Their must-try burger: Beef & Mushroom Burger (RMB 58)
It’s
likely these fellas got to where they are for the uniqueness of their
creations, and specifically this one. Hear us out: a regular
cheeseburger with all the fixings, topped with a hearty mushroom encased
in a layer of cheese and deep-fried breading.
And now… drum roll please… the Top 12 Burgers of 2021 are as follows:
12
No. 12: Fatburger 特福客汉堡
Their must-try burger: Triple Burger (RMB 90)
The
only international chain that made it onto our list, Fatburger hails
all the way from Los Angeles, where it was founded in 1947. They keep it
simple but big: cheese topped beef patties with chopped lettuce,
tomatoes, and onions, sandwiched between a mustard-coated bun.
11
No. 11: Arrow Factory Brewing 箭厂啤酒
Their must-try burger: El Ranch Hand Burger (RMB 88)
This
burger spices things up with a trip south of the US-Mexican Border –
featuring sour cream, salsa, guacamole, Sriracha, chorizo crumble,
cilantro, and a tortilla “haystack” all piled high on a beef patty.
10
No. 10: Blue Frog 蓝蛙
Their must-try burger: Truffle Mushroom Wagyu Burger (RMB 128)
One
of Beijing’s OG burger slingers delivers yet again with a hamburger
steak meal on ‘roids in sandwich form. This monster consists of a Wagyu
beef patty with sautéed mushrooms, truffle flavored mashed potatoes and
teriyaki sauce. Decadently mouthwatering to say the least.
09
No. 9: Side Street 街旁
Their must-try burger: The K.O. (RMB 78)
Arguably
the best of the burgers from the 2020 Burger Cup champ is the K.O.,
with its two smashed beef patties topped with two different melted
cheeses, caramelized “IPA” onions, and a rich, tangy with hints of
peanut K.O. sauce.
08
No. 8: Beersmith Gastropub 鲜啤吧 (Hotel Jen)
Their must-try burger: Wagyu Beef Sliders with Special Cheese Sauce (RMB 148 for 4)
Beersmith
takes the mini-burger – aka slider – formula and dials it up a notch,
drenching each of their Wagyu beef patties topped with lettuce and
tomato in a melted cheese sauce for a rich, gooey eating experience.
07
No. 7: 3 Little Pigs by Andy’s Craft Sausages 三小猪
Their must-try burger: Double Bacon Cheeseburger (RMB 98)
3
Little Pigs’ double bacon cheeseburger packs a punch. It’s made with
two American Black Angus Chuck Steak and Wagyu patties, which is topped
off with Wisconsin cheddar cheese and their house dry-cured bacon,
caramelized onion, and slices of homemade kosher dill pickles.
06
No. 6: Jing-A 京A
Their must-try burger: Stout Bacon Cheeseburger (RMB 85)
This
burger pairs well with Jing-A’s unique brews. An Australian beef patty
smothered in American cheese and a special Black Velvet Stout syrup,
topped off with bacon, mayo, red onion, and pickled gerkins.
05
No. 5: Great Leap Brewing 大跃啤酒
Their must-try burger: The Cheeseburger (RMB 75)
Great
Leap’s burgers seem simple on paper but always come packed with
surprises. Case in point: The Cheeseburger. Two cheese-topped Australian
beef patties, a fancy sauce, and house-made pickles between a “soy
milk” sesame seed bun.
04
No. 4: Slider Nation 小堡邦
Their must-try burger: The H2 (RMB 165)
Sliders
are an art form in and of themselves in the burger world, and Slider
Nation does them justice. The H2 is a pack of these burgers – six small
Wagyu beef patties topped with cheese, pickles, and a special “crack”
sauce, all inside their own fluffy Hawaiian rolls served with a heaping
side of duck fat fries.
03
No. 3: Home Plate BBQ 本垒美式烤肉
Their must-try burger: Pulled Pork Burger (RMB 55)
Home Plate’s Pulled Pork burger is American South-style barbecue done right.
Their signature, juicy, slightly sweet pulled pork gets topped with a
crisp and tangy coleslaw on a sesame seed bun. Easy to scarf down and
ask for more with this one.
02
No. 2: Q MEX Bar & Grill 库迈墨西哥餐吧
Their must-try burger: Double Burger (RMB 68)
Q
MEX has some interesting takes on the burger (chorizo patties, anyone?)
but we’ll place our bet on their classic Double Burger. It features two
cheese topped Australian beef patties, mayo, special sauce and a side of
coleslaw and fries. Doesn’t get much simpler than that.
01
No. 1: Slow Boat Brewery 悠航鲜啤
Their must-try burger: The Fryburger (RMB 64)
And
here are the champions, Slow Boat. The number one Best Burger in
Beijing, as decided by you! The Fryburger sees a medium rare beef patty
with a slightly pink middle, resulting in a slightly softer bite, all
working together with the cheese and the added crisp of the beer
battered fries and twang of their signature “ayi-oli” sauce. Definitely
worthy of the Best Burger title for a fifth time.
READ MORE
Return of the Champ: Slow Boat Earns Fifth Title with 2021 Burger Cup Win!
Images courtesy of the venues
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