Chodang-dong burger lunch for two, booked by phone: Moana Burger

Trying to figure out what to eat for lunch in Gangneung, I ended up at Moana Burger for handmade burgers. It's in Chodang-dong, fairly close to St. John's Hotel, Seamarq Hotel, Gangmun Beach and Gyeongpo Lake.

I ordered the Moana Burger and my boyfriend got the Moana Double Burger, and we also tried the chili beans and drinks. For anyone traveling in Gangneung with a dog, or hunting for a good handmade burger spot, here's the full rundown.

How to book Moana Burger, and where to park in Chodang-dong

Moana Burger is open 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:30). As for reservations — since it's a popular spot, it can close early once ingredients run out, so I'd recommend calling ahead if you need to. Also, dogs are welcome. (I've posted the related precautions and things worth knowing before your visit below.)

Moana Burger's location in Chodang-dong makes it convenient while sightseeing in Gangneung. It's about 2 minutes by car / 18 minutes on foot from St. John's Hotel, about 2 minutes by car from Seamarq Hotel, and about 2 minutes by car from Shilla Monogram Gangneung. It's about 7 minutes by car from Gyeongpo Beach and about 5 minutes from Gyeongpo Lake, so it's easy to swing by for lunch while exploring the area. (Honestly, it's also a good stop even on a walking-only Gangneung beach trip.) It's especially worth recommending as a nearby pet-friendly restaurant for anyone staying in the dog-friendly rooms at St. John's Hotel Gangneung!

For parking, use the dedicated lot right in front of the store. It fits 4 cars.

Inside Moana Burger: seating and atmosphere

Moana Burger used to be known as a Sacheon Beach favorite, and now it's become a Gangmun Beach favorite.

The overall interior vibe hasn't changed much. The music is pretty hip too, so it could double as a nice date spot near Gangmun Beach.

On this side there are two 4-tops, two 2-tops, and two standing tables.

It says group bookings are possible, and with this much seating, that seems plausible.

There were little surfing-themed touches scattered around, which fits since Gangneung is a surf town. Being a handmade burger spot, I also noticed a few solo travelers dining in.

Moana Burger menu and prices

The signature menu item is, of course, the Moana Burger. Based on the menu board when I visited, it was Moana Burger + fries ₩14,000, Hawaiian Burger + fries ₩15,000, and Moana Double Burger + fries ₩17,000.

Burgers come with fries included, but drinks aren't automatic, so order one separately if you want it.

Tasting the Moana Burger, Moana Double Burger, chili beans, Dr Pepper and Coke

What we ordered and the prices: Moana Burger ₩14,000, Moana Double Burger ₩17,000, chili beans ₩5,000, Dr Pepper ₩2,500, Coke ₩2,500. Total: ₩41,000. When they brought out the burgers, they told us the best way to eat them is to press down firmly and hold with both hands. (They give you disposable gloves along with it.)

This is the Moana Burger I ordered. Even at a glance, it was clearly loaded — patty, vegetables, all of it. I pressed it down and took a big bite. The patty was full of juice, and the balance between the juiciness and the vegetables was spot on. Moana Burger also gives female customers a little flower hairpin, which felt like a nice touch for getting into the Gangneung trip mood.

This is the Moana Double Burger my boyfriend had. It doesn't come with lettuce, but the pickles and onions balance out the richness well enough. My boyfriend has tried pretty much every handmade burger place in Gangneung, and he said this one ranks among the best he's had.

The chili beans come piled with cheese. We ate it alongside the burger and dipped the fries in it too. (The freshly fried fries were plump and delicious on their own.)

For soft drinks: Dr Pepper and Coke!

Bringing a dog to Moana Burger: what to know first

Moana Burger has a resident retriever named Yeoreum. Even to me, someone who's been to plenty of Gangneung dog cafés, she was surprisingly calm and well-behaved — but if you're nervous around large dogs, this is worth knowing before you visit.

When I was there she was on a leash, and she didn't approach unless you showed interest first. Here are the posted rules for bringing your own dog to Moana Burger in Gangneung:

• Keep your dog's leash short while inside the store
• Keep your dog on your lap, on a dedicated mat, or in a carrier

That's what the signage says.

Being a dog-friendly restaurant, they also had a lint roller and hand sanitizer on hand. The store was clean overall. Large-dog-friendly restaurants aren't that common in Gangneung, so this would be a great option if you're traveling with a big dog.

Is Moana Burger in Gangneung worth a visit?

I've tried a number of handmade burger places in Gangneung, but Moana Burger is one I'd want to visit again. The burger itself was the highlight — the patty was juicy while still pairing well with the vegetables, and the fries that came alongside were tasty too, making for a satisfying meal overall.

The staff were genuinely kind. They explained the choices we needed to make when ordering and even showed us the best way to eat the burger — really attentive service. I visited after making a phone reservation, and the owner was friendly as well. I'd definitely come back next time I'm craving a handmade burger.

It's close to places worth visiting in Gangneung — St. John's Hotel, Seamarq Hotel, Gangmun Beach, Gyeongpo Lake, Shilla Monogram — and to Gangneung accommodations too. Since dogs are welcome, I'd recommend it to anyone traveling with a dog in Gangneung. If you're after lunch in Chodang-dong or a good handmade burger spot in Gangneung, Moana Burger is worth the trip.