Cycle 4 – Item 358

29 (Sun) December 2013

The Cheeseburger

3.0

at Brooklyn Burger Joint

(Galleria Department Store – Gourmet 494)

-Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

with the Family, Mom + Dad

The occasion was my birthday dinner, belated.

With full discretion on the venue, I chose Gourmet 494 in the basement of Galleria Department Store.  The thought of noshing with a cause in what is arguably the country’s poshest food court seemed fun.  And everyone could eat whatever he/she wanted.

Unfortunately, logistics rendered the experience very unpleasant.  Even at 17:30, securing a table large enough for 4 adults and 2 kids took over 15 minutes.  Then, ordering various items at different stalls, paying separately each time, going back to the table to wait, hoping that the servers would find our table quickly enough – only in Gangnam would a food court offer table service – what a hassle.  And throughout the meal, other would-be customers hovering by, just as we’d done earlier, some being so rude as to ask if we were leaving anytime soon – “NO, not anytime soon.”  Too much pressure.

In the end, we ended up spending 118,000 won.  Food court, Gangnam style.

Vatos disappointed once again.  My satisfaction with the kimchi carnitas fries, which I raved about the first time around (see generally 3.181 Kimchi Carnitas Fries), dwindles significantly with every subsequent experience.  Same with the chili lime shrimp tacos.  I need to try them again at the main restaurant for confirmation.

Fortunately, The Cheeseburger at Brooklyn Burger Joint was quite nice.   Thick patty, the circumference of an actual grown-up burger – not like those dainty semi-slider “handmade” burgers popular these days.  Juicy ground beef, no apparent extenders, full of beefiness.  My father initially complained about it being too beefy – having grown accustomed to the blandness of McDonald’s and Burger King – but after a couple bites remarked that it reminded him of burgers back in the States, which is a good thing.  Decent sesame seed bun, properly grilled.  The only drawback was the lack of toppings, only melted cheese and sautéed onions, something crisp/fresh would’ve been welcome, like lettuce.  But way good enough.

(See also BOOZE)

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)