Gyeongpo burger restaurant in Gangneung with cheese fries: Burger Bar

What kind of place is Burger Bar on Haean-ro in Gangneung?

Burger Bar is a handmade burger restaurant famous locally in Gangneung, run by someone who used to be a Michelin one-star chef. It sits right in front of Haean-ro in Gangneung, so you can enjoy your burger looking out at the sea, and the menu has its own personality — from a burger made with Daegwallyeong songgo mushrooms to a lobster burger stuffed generously with lobster.

It's especially a place that catches your eye when you're looking for a famous handmade burger spot in Gangneung and want something a bit different from your usual burger. Since you can watch the ocean while you eat, the location itself is worth checking out if you're hunting for Gangneung's famous handmade burgers.

I stopped by Burger Bar with my daughter around 3pm after going to see the ocean. Since it was past lunch hour, we could eat at a relaxed pace, and that day we ordered the lobster burger I'd had my eye on along with two side dishes.

Burger Bar parking and how to get there

Burger Bar is on the first floor of the Ara Pension building at 609 Haean-ro, Gangneung. You can park in front of the store, and if there's no space, there's the Ara Pension parking lot behind the building.

Above all, once you step outside, the sea is right there across the road. There are tables and long benches set up outdoors, so on a nice day it looks like it'd be fun to eat your burger while looking at the ocean.

It's about a 10-minute walk from Lakai Resort and Skybay Hotel, so it's a convenient spot to stop by while touring around the Gyeongpo area.

Inside Burger Bar: seating and sea view

Stepping inside, the vibe was completely different from outside. Exposed concrete, an open kitchen, and a big graphic on the wall come together for a casual American-style burger joint feel.

The tables weren't cramped, and since the cooking area is open, you can watch the burgers being made.

On one side there was signage about the songgo mushroom burger that was featured on KBS's '6 O'Clock Hometown.' It's a menu item made with songgo mushrooms, a Daegwallyeong specialty, and one of the distinctive handmade burgers Burger Bar offers.

There was one more fun thing. There was a nostalgic lucky draw event you could join after leaving a review. On top of eating at this famous Gangneung handmade burger spot, you get this little bonus fun too, so it's worth checking out if you're visiting with kids.

Burger Bar menu and prices

You order at Burger Bar through a kiosk. We ordered the lobster burger for ₩23,500, chili corn dog for ₩3,900, and cheese fries for ₩7,000.

How the lobster burger at Burger Bar tastes

When the food came out, the first thing my daughter and I both noticed on the lobster burger was, well, the lobster.

A whole lobster tail is served right alongside the burger, and there's a big chunk of lobster meat piled inside the burger too, so it stood out visually right away.

On top of the patty, cheese and lobster meat were layered together with vegetables mixed in as well.

Taking a bite, you get the rich flavor of the beef patty followed by the springy texture of the lobster. Several sauces go into it, but rather than one flavor overpowering the rest, the patty and lobster came together naturally when eaten together.

If you're looking for Gangneung's famous handmade burgers and want something other than a plain patty burger, I felt this lobster burger really shows what makes Burger Bar special.

Cheese fries and chili tongmotwi sides

We also had the cheese fries. Thick-cut fries are topped generously with cheese sauce, plus powdered cheese and herbs on top.

Eating them with the cheese sauce added a nutty, soft quality compared to plain fries, and they paired well alongside the burger.

The chili corn dog (chili tongmotwigim) was crispy on the outside, with cheese stretching long from the inside.

Dipped in the sauce that came with it, the contrast between the crispy outside and soft inside made it a side dish we kept reaching for.

Who Burger Bar suits best

• Anyone who wants to eat with a view of the sea
• Anyone looking for a distinctive handmade burger in Gangneung
• Anyone who wants to try a burger loaded with lobster
• Anyone looking for a place to eat around Gyeongpo
• Anyone who wants a casual meal with kids

Verdict on Burger Bar in Gyeongpo

Stopping by Burger Bar while looking at the sea with my daughter, I could clearly feel Gangneung's local character in both the location and the menu. What stuck with me most was being able to eat a burger stuffed generously with lobster right in front of the ocean. If you're hunting for a spot known to locals in Gangneung and craving a handmade burger over a typical meal, Burger Bar, Gangneung's famous handmade burger spot, is worth checking out.

Attractions near Burger Bar and how far they are

Burger Bar is close to the Gyeongpo area, so rather than just eating and leaving, it's easy to combine it with sightseeing by the sea. You could plan a day trip that includes Gyeongpo Beach, Gangmun Beach, and Chodang Sundubu Village.

Burger Bar hours, closing day and address

• Address: 609 Haean-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
• Hours: 11:00 – 19:00
• Closed: Every Wednesday
• Parking: In front of the store or Ara Pension parking lot behind the building