Mapo handmade burgers with hot chicken and shrimp: Quokka Bite

At Quokka Bite, a handmade burger restaurant between Gongdeok and Daeheung, I had the Nashville hot chicken and whole-shrimp burger. Both burgers had thick patties, with a clear contrast between the chicken and shrimp textures.

Can you walk from Daeheung Station or Gongdeok Station?

Quokka Bite is on the first floor at 11 Baekbeom-ro 24-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It is about 363 m from Exit 3 of Daeheung Station, so the walk did not feel burdensome. It is also walkable from Gongdeok Station and is in a convenient spot to stop for a meal while walking along Gyeongui Line Forest Park.

It is described as a grilled burger brand created by a chef with 10 years of experience and training at Le Cordon Bleu. The introduction said the restaurant values the balance of flame-grilled beef patties, brioche buns, vegetables, and house-made sauces.

I read that the chef started the restaurant hoping to share the small happiness he felt from one bite of a burger while working in Australia. The quokka decorations around the shop also gave it an Australian feel.

What burger sets did I order, and how much were they?

The Nashville Quokka Hot Chicken Set was ₩14,900, and the Whole Shrimp Quokka Shrimp Burger Set was ₩15,900. I swapped the standard fries in one set for onion rings. When the burgers arrived, the thick patties, coleslaw, and vegetables inside the brioche buns caught my eye first.

How spicy was the Nashville hot chicken burger?

The Nashville Quokka Hot Chicken is a burger with a whole chicken-thigh patty coated in hot seasoning, plus coleslaw and dill pickles. The thick chicken was crisp outside and moist inside. Although the menu marked it as spice level 2, it was not mouth-numbingly spicy even for me, someone who does not handle spicy food well.

The first taste was savory, crisp chicken, followed by a gentle heat. The crunchy coleslaw and tangy dill pickles softened the spice, so I could eat it comfortably to the end.

What was the texture of the whole-shrimp burger?

The Whole Shrimp Quokka Shrimp Burger comes with a patty made from 100% whole shrimp, coleslaw, romaine lettuce, and Quokka Bite sauce. The patty was crisp outside and springy inside. Plump shrimp came through in every bite, giving it a different texture from a softer shrimp patty.

The fluffy brioche bun, shrimp patty, and crisp vegetables worked well together. The mild sauce added savoriness without masking the clean taste of the shrimp. It suited my taste too, since I usually enjoy shrimp burgers.

How were the fries and onion rings?

The fries, made with freshly fried potatoes, were crisp outside and fluffy inside. The salty, savory homemade chicken salt made them easy to eat between bites of burger.

The onion rings had a crisp coating, while the onion inside was soft and lightly sweet. They did not feel overly greasy, and I was happy with the side substitution because they offered a texture different from fries.

Is the atmosphere good for a date, and can you bring a dog?

The exterior was small and charming, like a café. Dogs are allowed only at the outdoor seating. It was too hot on the day we visited, so unfortunately we sat inside.

There were quokka plush toys and Australian flags throughout the interior. The space was not large, but it was kept neat and had a comfortable atmosphere for eating and going on a date.

Even though we deliberately visited outside mealtime, the seats filled quickly. The owner was kind, which made me feel comfortable from the time I ordered.

Can you park if you visit by car?

Only one car can park in front of the shop. We found a space and parked, but calls asking whether parking was available came in while we ate. If you are driving, I think it would be best to contact the shop in advance. Since it is walkable from Daeheung Station, using public transport felt less stressful to me.

Which of the two burgers might suit your taste?

Choose the hot chicken if you want gentle heat and the crispness of thick chicken, or the whole-shrimp burger if you like a springy shrimp bite. I liked the vegetable and sauce combinations in both. Still, keep in mind that the interior is not spacious and seats filled quickly even outside meal hours.