Seoul burger restaurant: cheese vs jambon wagyu, 1986 Shibuya

Where can you get handmade burgers near Kyung Hee University?

My husband and I visited 1986 Shibuya Burger (1986시부야버거) near Kyung Hee University. Its address is 5 Gyeonghuidae-ro 1ga-gil, 1F, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. It is a handmade burger restaurant also suggested as a place to eat when visiting Kyung Hee Medical Center or the Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace.

What was the atmosphere like for a late weekend lunch?

Because it gets busy around mealtimes, we visited for a late lunch on the weekend. It was relaxed enough for us to eat comfortably when we arrived. The soft, warm lighting, quiet music, and Japanese 1980s-inspired props made me feel as if I were traveling in Japan.

Which burgers and sets did we order?

The Classic Selection included the Mozza Hash Burger, Shibuya Chipotle Jambon Burger, and Shibuya Honey Burger. The Shibuya Signature menu included the Shibuya Griddle Cheese Burger, Double Jambon Wagyu Burger, and Kuro Sakura Shrimp Burger, with à la carte, combo, and set options available.

There were so many choices that it took some thought, but the illustrated explanations of the best menu items helped us decide. We ordered the jambon wagyu burger set and the griddle cheese burger set.

What is available at the self-service bar?

At the self-service bar, we could take as many crispy fried potato chips as we wanted. I liked having something to snack on before the burgers arrived.

Pickles, jalapeños, and assorted sauces were also available to take according to our preferences. There were convenience items, including candy for after the meal and hair ties.

We brought back potato chips, sauces, pickles, and jalapeños too.

While waiting for our order, we dipped the potato chips in sauce. They were crispy and savory.

What did the griddle cheese burger taste like?

Along with the burgers, we ordered French fries and cheese sticks as sides, plus cider and iced Americano. We picked at the warm fries between bites and had cool drinks alongside them. My husband, who likes cheese, chose the Shibuya Griddle Cheese Burger.

After one bite, I thought the flavor of the meat patty went well with the savory, rich cheese.

It arrived on a hot griddle, so we could eat it warm until the end. I enjoyed it with the creamy cheese.

How did the jambon wagyu burger differ from the cheese burger?

The jambon wagyu burger I ordered let me enjoy jambon (cured ham) together with a wagyu patty. The two came together for a full, meaty flavor.

With jambon added to the wagyu patty, I thought it would suit anyone choosing a burger mainly for its meat flavor.

Of the two, I would choose the Shibuya Griddle Cheese Burger for rich, savory cheese, and the jambon wagyu burger for the meatiness of jambon and patty together. It was a good place to stop for handmade burgers near Kyung Hee University.