Hoegi honey burger and sweet potato fries: 1986 Shibuya Burger

Hoegi food spot | 1986 Shibuya Burger

Location | 5 Gyeonghuidae-ro 1ga-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 1st floor Hours | Daily / 11:00 - 21:00 Parking | Not available / use public parking Cheongryang Elementary public parking lot, private lot near Exit 1 of Hoegi Station

What kind of place is 1986 Shibuya Burger?

Today I'm introducing a handmade burger restaurant in Hoegi, Seoul: 1986 Shibuya Burger.

1986 Shibuya Burger is a handmade burger specialist built around Shibuya's retro feel and city-pop mood — from the entrance you can already feel the Japan-inspired concept, so it's easy to spot right away. It's also near Kyung Hee University's Seoul campus, so a lot of students were visiting. I think that's partly because, for a handmade burger place, it's pretty affordable too.

The lighting itself is warm, so I felt comfortable the whole time I was there, and it's the kind of space that suits friends as much as family or couples. On top of preparing fresh ingredients every day, they're also known for their thick beef patties, which is why I made a point of coming quickly.

Rather than recreating a flashy Japanese-themed space, they say they aim for a comfortable place you can naturally drop into — after class in the afternoon, on a day you want to eat slowly alone, when you want to chat easily with a friend, or when you want a different kind of date in Hoegi.

What is on the self-serve bar at 1986 Shibuya Burger?

1986 Shibuya Burger's self-serve bar sits next to the counter, stocked with everything from jalapeños and pickles to disposable gloves and various sauces. There's really so much, right? This self-serve bar even has refresh kits and hair ties for customers who've just eaten a burger — nothing is missing.

The owner says they keep researching new flavors! They're developing new burgers and seasonal menus that put a Shibuya spin on familiar ingredients, so if a new item shows up every time you visit, the fun of coming back would only grow. Once you finish paying at the kiosk, a buzzer comes out automatically. You hold onto the buzzer, wait at your table, and pick up your order when it rings — that's the system.

How did the Shibuya Honey Burger taste?

What we ordered was 1986 Shibuya Burger's Shibuya Honey Burger! We only varied the sides and got the same burger.

Right from the buttery brioche bun it's delicious, and true to the name Shibuya Honey Burger, it comes with a sweet special honey sauce. It's not an overpoweringly sweet flavor, and it balances nicely with the patty's moderate saltiness for a good sweet-savory combo — I'd recommend it if you're in the mood for sweet and savory.

Sweet potato fries with sweet chili sauce

A must-order: the sweet potato fries! Once I tried the crispy-fried sweet potato's sweet texture, I couldn't stop reaching for more. Paired with the well-matched Shibuya sweet chili sauce, the savoriness doubles — it's the kind of taste that lingers, where you had it yesterday and already want it again today.

Weekday evening at 1986 Shibuya Burger: seating and value

It also has soft cheese along with thinly sliced tomato and lettuce, so the texture was nice and crisp too... It's easy to get to since it's near Kyung Hee University, and we visited on a weekday evening when the place was busy enough that all but one or two seats were taken. Above all, I think the value for money is solid. You might expect handmade burgers to be pricey, but the prices here are approachable even for students, which was another satisfying part of the visit.

If you're looking for a Hoegi food spot or a Kyung Hee University food spot, especially if you want to try a particularly good-quality handmade burger, don't hesitate — go visit 1986 Shibuya Burger...