Wasabi mayo shrimp burger and mozza cheese bar: Bas Burger Jamwon

I took a rare weekday off and went to a hospital near Sinsa Station. Once the appointment was done, I got pleasantly hungry. Whenever I have errands to run alone around Sinsa or Nonhyeon Station, my feet head straight to Bas Burger Jamwon Branch without hesitation.

A vibe that's comfortable even for solo diners

When the atmosphere feels awkward for eating alone, you end up rushing through the meal and leaving. Here, plenty of people come to eat solo and the store itself is pleasant, so it's always comfortable.

Right next to the ordering area, the dining space is neatly separated, and the air conditioning was blasting nicely, making it a perfect spot to cool off even on a hot day. I visited around 1pm on a weekday and there were quite a few customers, but seats were still plenty available.

Unlimited J's Potato: an upscale handmade version of a blunt chip

After stepping in and ordering at the kiosk, the first place I run to is the self-serve bar.

You can scoop up as much as you want of 'J's Potato,' basically the symbol of Bas Burger.

These are thick, salty fried chips, and being able to grab them fresh right in the store is a huge appeal. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top and the flavor changes completely. I'm a big fan of the snack brand 'Mudduttak' and buy it often. This is exactly like that Mudduttak chip, but a much fancier, freshly fried handmade version. Even before the burger arrived, I kept reaching for them, hooked on the crunch. It's the kind of taste that makes you crave a beer, but I held off with soda instead for my afternoon plans.

A charred, smoky shrimp burger that brings back Hawaiian shrimp trucks

Usually when people come to Bas Burger, most order the basic beef burger. But honestly, the shrimp burger here is a real hidden gem.

Today, instead of my usual basic burger, I ordered the wasabi mayo shrimp burger set with a mozza cheese bar side. At Bas Burger, you can also help yourself to as much ketchup and mayo as you want. Putting ketchup on the chips means you could eat them endlessly.

As soon as the tray hit the table, a buttery aroma wafted up, and I couldn't help but be impressed. The bun at Bas Burger is truly a work of art. It's fragrant and moist, as if freshly baked, and wraps softly around your mouth.

And the moment you take a bite, that plump, springy whole shrimp texture hits you! Shrimp burgers usually use minced shrimp patties. Bas Burger uses whole shrimp instead. The shrimp texture is so fresh and springy that it satisfies any shrimp lover. It bursts in your mouth and a smoky, charred flavor spreads through — for a moment I mistook it for the shrimp I once had from a Hawaiian shrimp truck, that's how well made it is.

The sharp wasabi mayo sauce cuts through the richness cleanly, so it never gets heavy even to the last bite.

If you love cheese, you have to add the freshly fried mozza cheese bar

Usually, after putting my kid to bed at night, my little bit of healing is snacking on a string cheese as a late-night treat.

If you love cheese, you absolutely have to order the mozza cheese bar as a side. The batter is thin and crispy, but bite into it and the savory mozzarella cheese stretches out long, as if it's been waiting for you. You get a mouthful of deep, comforting richness paired with the ultimate salty-savory finish. Alternating a hot bite of that with a sweet-and-spicy bite of the burger while it's still warm makes for the perfect meal combination.

If you're near Nonhyeon or Sinsa Station and want a hearty, solo meal with a proper handmade burger, be sure to stop by. That buttery bun aroma and smoky shrimp flavor from the first bite will stay on your mind long after.