Hanbaagaasuuteeki Review

One of the summer’s most viral food spots, Hanbaagaasuuteeki drew crowds of Londoners and tourists eager to try its Asian-inspired American smash burgers. So what’s all the fuss about? ONIN found out at this week’s launch party.

Our first question: what sets Hanbaagaasuuteeki apart from other burger joints in the area? The answer lies in its fusion concept — smash burgers made with premium Japanese, Thai, Korean, and Chinese ingredients. The name, which translates to “Hamburg steaks of wonderfulness,” might be tricky to pronounce, but the flavours speak for themselves.

The offering is refreshingly simple: five burgers, two naked burger plates, and three sides. Each burger features a soft potato bun, double wagyu patties, and double cheese.

We started with the ‘Another Double Cheeseburger’ (£9) — a nod to the classic 1950s American cheeseburger. Japanese touches elevate it: kansuri-spiked ketchup adds heat, and dashi-hydrated onions bring umami depth. My friend found it a little too cheesy and whilst I enjoyed it, I preferred the the Shrimp Kong Baga (£14)- essentially a surf-and-turf pairing a smashed beef patty with deep-fried Hong Kong-style shrimp. It was well balanced, and the sauce worked nicely.

The standout was the Szechuan Chicken Baga (£14). Skin-on chicken thighs are fried in duck fat for a crispy, juicy bite. The Szechuan spice builds slowly and sticks around.

Sadly, we missed out on the Kimchi Burger (£10) which layers spicy homemade kimchi onto the cheeseburger and the Isan Burger (£10), which features Thai holy basil and fresh chillies. For those skipping the bun, the Naked Burger Plate (kimchi or Isan) offers three patties, three slices of cheese, and a padron pepper.

Hanbaagaasuuteeki doesn’t serve vegetarian or vegan burgers, stating that hamburgers should remain meat-based. However, one vegetarian guest enjoyed the Kimchi Loaded Fries, Honey Gochujang Sticks, and Padron Peppers. We missed out on the kimchi fries ourselves, but others around us praised them. The Halloumi Fries were a hit — thick-cut and served with a sweet-spicy glaze.