Chodang-dong, Gangneung burger with Budweiser draft: Moana Burger

Hi everyone, it's Onufa. When you're traveling in Gangneung, it feels like a bit of a waste to only eat sundubu (soft tofu stew) in Chodang-dong, right? This time I went for something a little different — a handmade burger. The place I found was Moana Burger in Chodang-dong, Gangneung! And since it's pet-friendly, my little pup🐶 came along again.

Parking at Moana Burger: a lot right out front

Moana Burger has a parking lot right in front of the store, which is great news if you're driving. When you're traveling around Gangneung, it's surprisingly common to find a great restaurant and then have to hunt forever for a parking spot😂 But at Moana Burger you can park right out front, so I felt relaxed from the moment I arrived.

Moana Burger Address: 228-33 Nanseolheon-ro, Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea Hours: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (closed Tuesdays)

What we ordered at Moana Burger, and the mood inside

On this visit at Moana Burger we ordered the Moana burger, the Hawaiian burger, Budweiser draft beer, and zero-sugar cola. Burgers with draft beer... honestly, is there a combo harder to mess up than this?🤣 I thought the place would only feel American in vibe, but once I tried the burger, it had that real handmade-burger flavor, which made it even more satisfying.

🇺🇸 An American diner feel the moment you walk in

The atmosphere of the place was pretty striking from the start. The exterior already feels like an American restaurant, and once you're inside, the whole experience of eating the burger there gives you an oddly convincing feeling of being on a trip to the US. Looking back at the photos, I found myself thinking, "Is this Gangneung... or America?"😂 One moment you're eating sundubu in Gangneung, the next you've teleported to America. Still, this quirky atmosphere is part of what makes Moana Burger charming.

How does the Moana burger taste?

Finally, the burger arrived!!!

The glossy, shiny bun catches your eye first, and inside it's packed generously with patty, cheese, and vegetables.

One bite in, and the patty's flavor really came through, blending nicely with the soft bun and all the fillings — definitely the fun of eating a proper handmade burger. It felt distinctly different from a typical chain burger. The texture and flavor of the patty were so alive that I thought, "Ah, this is why people come out for handmade burgers." And the visual of the cheese melting down... I was so busy taking photos I could barely wait to take a bite🤣.

🍺 Burger plus Budweiser draft: hard to resist

The hidden star of the day was the Budweiser draft beer! Taking a bite of the burger and then a cold sip of draft beer... ahhh~~~~🍺 This combo was seriously blissful. Especially with a savory, slightly salty handmade burger, the cold beer cleans your palate right up, and you just keep reaching for more. In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the burger-and-beer combo.

🐶 Lunch in Gangneung with our small dog at the table

Since Moana Burger is pet-friendly, my pup came along on this visit too. Watching her sit so quietly tucked inside the bag was just so cute.🥹 When traveling to Gangneung, you sometimes worry about where to eat with your dog, so it was nice to find a handmade burger place where you can bring your pup along.

🌴 Looking for a change from sundubu in Gangneung?

When you think of Gangneung, Chodang sundubu comes to mind first, but it's a bit of a shame to eat the same thing every time. This time I tried something different in Chodang-dong — handmade burgers with draft beer for lunch — and it was a pretty satisfying choice. With an exotic, mainland-America-like atmosphere plus a properly made handmade burger, I think it's worth stopping by at least once during a Gangneung trip. Especially if you're a burger lover like me, having a meal like this once during your trip isn't a bad idea at all.😋 Sundubu, then burgers... in Gangneung, eating really is the sightseeing.🤣

A Chodang-dong restaurant where I could enjoy a proper handmade burger and draft beer in a fully American-feeling space! Parking was easy, and being pet-friendly made it even more welcome for me traveling around Gangneung with my dog. Above all, the burger itself was delicious. If you love handmade burgers, stop by on your Gangneung trip.🍔 Thanks for the meal today too.