Gangneung burger spot with DJ visuals and a golden retriever: Moana

Moana Burger

Moana Burger in Chodang-dong, Gangneung: a treat meal out with a child

When we eat out with our kid, we tend to end up ordering the same old thing every time. This time we wanted something a bit more special, so we went to Moana Burger. My husband loves handmade burgers, and our kid is a total fries fiend, hahaha. But this isn't just a place you come to eat a burger — you get the fun of eating great burgers plus the fun of playing with the shop's adorable golden retriever, Yeoreum! The three of us had such a good time.

The moment you walk into Moana Burger, the vibe is seriously hip — the interior and the space catch your eye right away. It's got that trendy feel that's so popular these days, so even though we just came for a burger, this middle-aged mom felt younger and cooler just being in there!

Maybe because it had been a while since we'd had something special, our kid got super excited the moment the food arrived! Kids really do get that thrilled when you take them somewhere for a menu they don't usually eat, haha. If I'd been in the mood, I would have cracked open a beer... sadly I settled for Coke instead, lol.

How do the Moana Burger and Moana Double Burger taste?

With a burger, what matters is how the bun, patty, and toppings come together in one bite. At Moana Burger, the burgers taste like something everyone would like — I highly recommend the signature Moana Burger. My husband had the Moana Double Burger, and since he loves meat, it's his top pick. With two thick patties inside, the texture and flavor are amazing. The juice runs like a sauce of its own — genuinely delicious.

Playing with Yeoreum, the golden retriever at Moana Burger

And another thing that stuck with me about Moana Burger was Yeoreum! There's an adorable golden retriever there, and our kid absolutely loved it. We came for burgers, played with Yeoreum, ate more burger, petted Yeoreum again, lol. Both my son and I love dogs, so we shamelessly got our fill, haha. Fun to eat! Fun to play! It felt like one more reason to bring the kid, or the whole family, along.

A hip space with DJ videos on screen

I also really liked the atmosphere of the space itself. Gangneung has plenty of pretty cafés and good restaurants these days, but this place definitely has a hip feel that's distinct to a burger joint. It's great for photos, and the DJ visuals playing on the wall are fun and energetic. If you're the type of traveler in Gangneung looking for good food, you probably also want a place where you can enjoy the music and atmosphere along with the meal — and on that front, I highly recommend Moana Burger.

Cooked to order: how juicy is the 100% beef patty?

At Moana Burger, cooking starts the moment you order, so the burgers come out hot and taste amazing. My first impression was how good the crisp, fresh vegetables tasted. With burgers, the sauce can sometimes be so strong it drowns out the flavor of the ingredients themselves, but Moana Burger is the opposite — each ingredient's flavor comes through in harmony. In particular, the 100% beef patty's flavor really shines, getting more savory and rich with every bite. And another charm of Moana Burger is the juice! The moment you bite into the patty, juicy goodness spreads through your mouth and that distinct meaty flavor hits hard. It was impressive that the patty's own flavor and juiciness were satisfying enough without relying on sauce. The Moana Double Burger, with its two patties, let us taste the beef flavor even more intensely — if you like a heavier, meatier taste, go for the double.

What to know before visiting Moana Burger

The rich beef flavor of the patty combined with the crisp vegetables makes it the kind of taste that keeps drawing you back for another bite. That said, since cooking only starts once you order, if you don't want to wait for your food, it's a good idea to call ahead if you're in a hurry. Also, the shop may close early once ingredients run out, so keep that in mind before visiting.

Where to eat lunch near Chodang-dong and Gangmun Beach

There are so many attractions nearby — the beach, Chodang-dong, Gangmun, and more. If you're traveling in this area and can't decide on lunch near Chodang-dong, it might be nice to skip the usual and go for a handmade burger instead. Gangmun Beach is right out front too, great for a walk.

Whenever you're craving a burger in Gangneung, looking for a good burger restaurant in Gangneung, or just want something different for lunch in Chodang-dong, Moana Burger is worth a visit. That day, we got the full experience — the fun of eating, the fun of playing, and the hip atmosphere. What special dish should we go hunt down next? These days, the fun of chasing down good food with our kid just keeps growing. ^^