[Review] "Ultimate Crispiness"... Burger King "The Crisper"

Launch of "The Crisper" and "The Crisper Bacon & Cheese"
Solid, well-made chicken patty... a perfect match with bacon and cheese

The franchise burger market has been heating up with chicken burgers since the beginning of the year. Following Lotteria and McDonald’s, Burger King has also launched new chicken burgers.

Burger King has introduced two new products called “The Crisper,” which maximize the crispy texture of the chicken patty, in line with the old saying that “purity is the ultimate variation.” “The Crisper” and “The Crisper Bacon & Cheese” are ambitious releases aimed at extending Burger King’s competitive edge beyond the beef patty segment into the chicken burger market. I tried the two The Crisper burgers, whose strength lies in patties that are crispy on the outside yet moist on the inside.

From the moment I opened the wrapper of “The Crisper Bacon & Cheese,” the smoky aroma of well-smoked bacon stimulated my nose and whetted my appetite. With the first bite, the crispiness along the edge of the chicken patty was clearly noticeable, giving a distinct sense of eating an “authentic chicken burger.” Eating it together with the bacon patty topped with melted cheese brought out even richer flavors. However, the combination of bacon and cheese made it a bit on the salty side.

Recently released by Burger King: the "Deo Keuriseupeo Beikeon & Chijeu" (left) and the "Deo Keuriseupeo".

Burger King's The Crisper Bacon & Cheese Burger (left) and The Crisper Burger.

As is usually the case with chicken patties, the edges are crispy but the crispiness tends to diminish toward the center, and Burger King’s The Crisper also did not completely overcome this critical weakness of chicken burgers. That said, the center of the patty did not feel dry, nor was it lacking in crispiness to a problematic degree. Given that the name “Crisper” is front and center, it certainly delivered a distinctly crispy texture.

“The Crisper” is the version of The Crisper Bacon & Cheese without the bacon and cheese. Contrary to expectations that its flavor might feel weaker after eating The Crisper Bacon & Cheese first, The Crisper offered a clean yet substantial taste. The well-executed basic chicken patty, together with cabbage and other ingredients, created a good balance that maximized the crispiness. The generous amount of vegetables also helped to complement the flavor of the chicken patty, which could otherwise feel a bit plain.

When eating The Crisper, it was easier to focus on the chicken patty itself, and a spicy note that was not noticeable in The Crisper Bacon & Cheese spread through the mouth, cutting through any greasiness. The spiciness was fleeting and mild enough for those sensitive to spicy food to enjoy without difficulty.

By adding “The” to the product names, Burger King aimed to highlight the enhanced crispiness and distinctive presence of the two burgers, and it was clear that the company focused on the essence of delivering a crispy texture worthy of the name. “The Crisper” features a 100% whole chicken breast patty coated using Burger King’s own powder mix, which is applied through a tumbling process to accentuate the curls of the batter and provide an upgraded, extra-crispy bite.

On top of this, Burger King’s unique “spice marinade,” created by blending various seasonings, delivers a fleeting spiciness that, together with the rich and nutty mayo sauce, results in a deep, full-bodied flavor.

The Crisper is priced at 5,700 won on its own (7,900 won as a set), and “The Crisper Bacon & Cheese” costs 6,700 won on its own (8,900 won as a set). Considering that dining-out prices have risen steeply recently to the point that the term “lunchflation” has come into vogue, these burgers can be recommended as a “value-for-money meal.”