[Product Review] Enjoy Unyang-style Bulgogi with a Hamburger? Burger King’s ‘Jikhwa Beef Bulgogi Burger’

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] It has been over ten months since the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged, completely changing the standards of daily life. One of the biggest personal changes is becoming cautious about sharing stews and side dishes. I usually enjoy Korean food and often visit Korean restaurants that serve full-course meals, but it’s rare to find the desired restaurant nearby every time. Naturally, I have come to prefer convenient ‘single-serving set’ meals that I can eat alone.

As a result, one of the frequently chosen menus is the hamburger. Just in time, Burger King released its fresh new menu items this week: the ‘Grilled Beef Bulgogi Burger’ and the ‘Grilled Mushroom Beef Bulgogi Burger.’ Upon hearing this news, I went out for takeout with a fellow reporter sitting next to me.

Since I like Korean food, I often choose bulgogi burgers with familiar seasonings regardless of the brand when eating hamburgers. This time, Burger King’s new product was even more anticipated because it’s not just using bulgogi sauce but also making the patty with beef grilled over fire, a true ‘beef bulgogi’ burger. Opening the warm burger packaging with joy, the sweet flavor of the familiar bulgogi sauce and Burger King’s unique smoky aroma from the beef patty stimulated my salivary glands. The lettuce and onions peeking out from the burger and the generous amount of dripping sauce also passed the test.

The ‘Grilled Beef Bulgogi Burger’ emphasizes the ‘fire flavor,’ as the name suggests. Burger King’s description of it as ‘Unyang-style’ was immediately understood. Taking a bite, the real fire flavor filled my mouth, and the patty made from sliced pure beef rather than minced meat had a pleasant texture with chunks of meat to chew. The bulgogi sauce in this new product also had a special charm. The well-balanced sauce, not overly sweet, blended well with the warm bun and patty, allowing me to enjoy every last bite without getting tired of the taste.

Burger King’s ‘Whopper’ set menu is quite hearty and sometimes felt a bit heavy for this reporter with a small stomach. However, the ‘Grilled Beef Bulgogi Burger’ is about the size of a ‘Whopper Junior,’ and after finishing the set menu, I felt just comfortably full. The affordable price of 3,900 won for the single item and 4,900 won for the set menu was also appealing.

The fellow reporter, who prides themselves on being food-savvy and never misses new releases, had already tried the ‘Grilled Beef Bulgogi Burger’ on the day of its launch and chose the ‘Grilled Mushroom Beef Bulgogi Burger.’ They commented that the four mushroom toppings added to highlight the characteristics of bulgogi provided a chewy texture and subtle aroma that paired well.

In summary, Burger King’s ‘Grilled Beef Bulgogi Burger’ is a ‘real’ beef bulgogi burger like never before, with a 100% pure beef patty grilled over fire that maximizes the fire flavor and texture of the nation’s favorite bulgogi. Both bulgogi burger enthusiasts and newcomers can enjoy a warm and satisfying meal.