Dongdaemun burger restaurant with griddled cheese: 1986 Shibuya Burger

I spotted the blue neon sign in a side street near Kyung Hee University and went into 1986 Shibuya Burger (1986시부야버거). That day, I ordered the griddled cheese burger and the squid-ink-bun shrimp burger as sets. From the warm potato chips I ate while waiting to the cheese spread wide across the griddle, it was a memorable meal.

How far is it from Hoegi Station, and when is the last order?

The restaurant is on the first floor at 5 Kyungheedae-ro 1ga-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. It is about 611 m from Exit 1 of Hoegi Station on Line 1, taking around 10 minutes on foot. It felt closer when walking from the main gate of Kyung Hee University. There was a vertical banner beside the entrance, and there were plenty of seats when I arrived at 7:24 PM.

The hours listed in the original post are 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, with last orders at 8:30 PM. I expected ordering to run later because it is in a university area, but it ended earlier than I thought. There is no dedicated parking, so you need to use Kyung Hee University Medical Center or Hoegi-dong public parking, or a private lot near Exit 1 of Hoegi Station.

Is it comfortable to sit alone, and what is the interior like?

The interior pairs wood with green sofas. There is a mix of two- and four-person tables, and it seemed like a comfortable size even for dining alone. Japanese songs played continuously, tying in with the décor.

The walls were covered with 1980s Japanese magazine covers and cassette advertisements. Hello Kitty and old figurines sat on the shelves, and the photos hanging on strings were all different, making them fun to look over.

A large painting of a Japanese alley hung on one wall. The seats in front of it also looked suitable for taking photos.

A Shibuya subway-station sign above the self-service bar continued the Japanese-style décor.

What do the burger prices and sets include?

I ordered through the kiosk. The griddled cheese burger was ₩14,900 à la carte and ₩18,900 as a set. The set includes French fries and a drink. We ordered both burgers as sets and changed the fries to wedge fries.

I also looked over the wall menu. The classic cheese burger was ₩6,700 and the chipotle burger was ₩7,800, while the squid-ink-bun shrimp burger was introduced as a signature item. During my visit, the red griddled cheese burger was also listed as a new in-store-only menu item.

What is available at the welcome potato chip self-service bar?

The self-service bar had welcome potato chips called otoshi. A sign said they were fried twice in small batches each day. They were warm and crisp, so I went back for more several times before the burgers arrived.

At the burger custom zone in the same area, I could take as many jalapeños and pickles as I wanted.

There was also a refresh kit with candy, jelly, and mouthwash. I also saw snack sets with the restaurant logo.

Beside the counter, there was also a notice for an event that gave out capsule coffee for writing a review on Naver or Google and showing the screen. I did not take part.

What did the griddled cheese burger taste like, and how did I eat it?

The griddled cheese burger arrived with cheese poured onto a hot griddle. It was still sizzling when it was set down, and the cheese spread so widely beneath the burger that I could not see the bottom of the griddle.

The patty and cheese protruded between the buns. According to the menu description, it has a 100% beef patty, caramelized onions, and special mayo. The cheese stretched in long strands when I lifted the bun, but it hardened over time and did not stretch as it had at first.

I split the burger in half and had it with wedge fries and a whole mozzarella cheese stick ordered separately. The wedge fries were thick and fairly firm on the outside, so they were good for dipping into the leftover cheese. I could enjoy the rich cheese flavor with the fries too.

How was the squid-ink-bun shrimp burger different from the griddled cheese burger?

The second menu item was the Shibuya Grid Shrimp Burger. Its black squid-ink bun made it stand out on the plate.

It had lettuce, tomato, and onion. I also ordered this burger as a set with wedge fries, and chose Pepsi for the drink.

The patty was made by forming and frying chopped shrimp. I could feel the pieces of shrimp when I bit into it, and it was much lighter and plainer than the griddled cheese burger. Since the two burgers tasted different, they were good for two people to share one of each.

How filling is it with a whole mozzarella cheese stick?

The whole mozzarella cheese stick I ordered separately had a thick fried coating with mozzarella inside. When I split it in half before it cooled, the cheese stretched in long strands. With two burgers, set fries, and the cheese stick, it was more than filling enough for two people.

Beyond the burgers, the potato chips for waiting and the Japanese-style interior stayed with me. There were seats that did not feel awkward for dining alone, and for two people, sharing the rich griddled cheese burger and the lighter shrimp burger was a good combination. However, the cheese hardens as it cools, so it is better eaten while warm.