Handmade burgers at Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun: spicy El Taco, Reel

In short

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is a handmade burger restaurant on the ground floor of the Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun building, near Exit 2 of Jonggak Station in Jongno, Seoul. In a dining room styled like a movie set, the writer ordered by QR code and had the El Taco Burger with sparkling water, standing out for its spicy salsa mayo, beefy patty and onion ring. Spicy but never greasy, Reel Burger's El Taco Burger suits anyone who loves tacos or likes trying new menu items.

El Taco Burger at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun

Good to know

Getting there
Jonggak Station Exit 2 · 5-min walk (store listing, Oct 6, 2026)
Location
Unit 105, 1F, 71 Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (ground floor of the Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun building, near Jonggak Station Exit 2)
Hours
Mon–Fri 11:00–20:30 (last order 20:00), Sat 10:00–15:00 (last order 14:30), closed Sundays
How to order
QR code ordering, including for dining in; takeout can be ordered via Naver
Services
Takeout and groups welcome
What we ordered
El Taco Burger, sparkling water
Served free
Pickles and marinated olive vegetables

as written by the visitor on Jul 14, 2026

How do you get to Reel Burger Gwanghwamun?

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is close to Exit 2 of Jonggak Station, on the ground floor of the Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun building! It's not the same entrance as the hotel, so don't walk into the hotel. Go past Paul Bassett and turn at the corner.

The way to Reel Burger Gwanghwamun on the ground floor of the Shilla Stay building
Exterior of Reel Burger Gwanghwamun

It's also a fine walking distance from Anguk Station. Reel Burger is famous for its branches at The Hyundai Seoul and in Ttukseom, but there was a closer one, so I went to the Gwanghwamun branch ^0^

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun interior and self-serve bar

The inside of Reel Burger Gwanghwamun feels like a movie set! The colors and tones go so well together that it just feels calming, haha.

Movie-set-like interior of Reel Burger Gwanghwamun
Seating and interior of Reel Burger Gwanghwamun
Calm-toned interior of Reel Burger Gwanghwamun

Have you ever seen such a pretty burger place? ...

Full view of the Reel Burger Gwanghwamun interior

The self-serve bar had water, straws, napkins and other extras! Of course, basic napkins are also set out on the tables.

Reel Burger self-serve bar with water, straws and napkins

How do you order takeout at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun?

For takeout at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun, you order through Naver, pay right away and just wait. It's a popular spot, so there seem to be tons of takeout orders too! Personally, I find this easier than a kiosk.

Naver takeout ordering notice at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun menu and how to order

Even for dining in, Reel Burger Gwanghwamun uses QR code ordering, so I picked by looking at the pictures! I went back and forth with the Egg Benedict Burger, but today I took on the different El Taco Burger!

QR code ordering at a table in Reel Burger Gwanghwamun
Burger menu at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun
Reel Burger burgers and side menu lineup
  • Cheeseburger: brioche bun and special garlic mayo
  • Classic Burger: comes with homemade bacon jam
  • Jalapeño Mayo Burger: the menu item IVE's Rei reportedly recommended
  • El Taco Burger: a reinterpretation of authentic Mexican tacos
  • Egg Benedict Burger: poached egg and basil tomato ragù sauce

Honestly every single item looked delicious ㅜㅜ It was hard to choose, so I'll work my way through them all next time, haha. I also heard the maple sweet potato fries and crispy onion rings are good.

Once you order, they first bring out pickles and olive-pickled vegetables! I can't handle anything too sour, but these were just mildly tangy, a perfect palate cleanser, so I liked them.

Pickles and olive-pickled vegetables served first after ordering

I'm watching my diet ^^,,, so sparkling water instead of soda! In summer, sparkling water is the best.

Sparkling water ordered with the burger

What does Reel Burger's El Taco Burger taste like?

The El Taco Burger is a reinterpretation of Mexican-style tacos, reportedly consulted on by Chef Lee Won-il! I was curious and the reviews were good, so I ordered it. It combines a beef patty, American cheese, fresh pico de gallo and cilantro, spicy homemade salsa mayo sauce and a crispy onion ring.

El Taco Burger consulted on by Chef Lee Won-il

Look at this burger that looks like a model... I'm taking this photo so you can see the size. Big is great, but it's hard to eat prettily, haha. Cut it up well before eating! The El Taco Burger also has one of the signature onion rings inside.

The large Reel Burger El Taco Burger
El Taco Burger with an onion ring inside
El Taco Burger at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun

Looking at the visible side of the El Taco Burger, you can see a huge number of layered ingredients: bun, patty, cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, onion ring, taco sauce, nachos and more.

Cross-section of the El Taco Burger with stacked layers
El Taco Burger cut into pieces
Inside of the El Taco Burger with salsa mayo and nachos

Is the El Taco Burger very spicy?

I heard the El Taco Burger is the spiciest at Reel Burger, and the salsa sauce is indeed spicy! But it isn't greasy, which I actually liked even more. A flavor that suits Korean tastes, haha. The ingredients are generous, so you need to cut it well. The better a handmade burger is, the harder it is to cut... And I could see why the onion ring is famous.

Beef patty of the El Taco Burger
A piece of the El Taco Burger

How is the patty quality at Reel Burger?

I think the kick of a handmade burger is the patty, and Reel Burger's patty quality felt good right away. The beefy aroma and the texture were both great, so I thought, they're serious about their patties here. If you like tacos, you'll enjoy the El Taco Burger.

Who is Reel Burger Gwanghwamun recommended for?

On the way to the subway station I also spotted trumpet creeper flowers and snowball hydrangeas! Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is even nicer for being in such a pretty neighborhood.

Trumpet creeper blooming on the way to Jonggak Station
Snowball hydrangea blooming on the way to Jonggak Station

I recommend Reel Burger Gwanghwamun to people who love hamburgers and handmade burgers, who like unique or new menu items, and who are looking for a good restaurant around Jongno and Gwanghwamun!

Where it is

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun릴버거 광화문점

71 Sambong-ro, Unit 105, 1F, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 종로구 삼봉로 71 1층 105호

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