Here's a new one on the fusion-burger front: A bulgoki burger. Robb Walsh, food writer for the Houston Press, found this thing at the a Korean-owned restaurant called Burger House on the Gulf Freeway.
The bulgoki burger cost me $4.53. “Don’t put mustard on it, that doesn’t taste right,” the cashier advised. I put a little lettuce and tomato on the bun, and a whole lot of raw onion rings in the middle. The meat tasted like the sliced rib eye used in Philly cheese steaks and the barbecue sauce was a little sweet. I’m not sure this really qualifies as a burger because of the use of sliced steak instead of ground meat. But flavor-wise, it’s right up there with the Pakistani bun kebab.
Is this pushing the line? From the picture, it appears there might not even be a bun top. Hmm ... >:|
man i love bulgolgi. here's the thing... if we're going to say bulgolgi can be a burger, then what if you put philly cheesesteak on a round bun? is that a philly burger then?
Isn't sliced meat vs ground meat the heart of the issue here? Shouldn't we all agree that burgers are ground meat only? Otherwise, any meat and bread concoction could be called a burger and the terms burger and sandwich become synonymous, don't they? Many places sell chopped or sliced meat sandwiches, but is it right to call them burgers? I think not. To me, anyway, a burger is ground raw meat that is pressed into a patty, then cooked and served on some sort of bread. There are countless variations possible on this basic theme, but all have ground meat as a common ingredient.
btw: the top bun is under the tomato and onion slices on the right ;^)
I love bulgogi, but I'm not about to slap it on a bun and call it a burger. It's a bulgogi sandwich and it's not a new concept. If they need to call it a burger in order to market it in Houston TX, then so be it. BUT, I wish they would use a ground beef patty seasoned like bolgogi and then basted with the marinade while it grills, I bet that would totally rock. Man, I think I'm going to make some bolgogi burgers this weekend!
While, I wouldn't call this a burger either. In in its defense, bulgogi on a bun, roll or whatever kind of bread, can make for a great meal. Of course to conform to the traditional notion of a burger, the same exact marinate used for bulgogi can be used on ground beef as well, with great results.
As previously mentioned this was already done way back by fast food chains in Korea such as McDonald's and Lotteria.
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8 Comments:
I pass that place all the time... Always wondered what was up. Sounds Gross! Robb Walsh is the man!
HoustonJoe at 10:43AM on 04/11/08
man i love bulgolgi. here's the thing... if we're going to say bulgolgi can be a burger, then what if you put philly cheesesteak on a round bun? is that a philly burger then?
no doubt it'll be effing delicious though!
foodinmouth at 11:06AM on 04/11/08
Isn't sliced meat vs ground meat the heart of the issue here? Shouldn't we all agree that burgers are ground meat only? Otherwise, any meat and bread concoction could be called a burger and the terms burger and sandwich become synonymous, don't they? Many places sell chopped or sliced meat sandwiches, but is it right to call them burgers? I think not. To me, anyway, a burger is ground raw meat that is pressed into a patty, then cooked and served on some sort of bread. There are countless variations possible on this basic theme, but all have ground meat as a common ingredient.
btw: the top bun is under the tomato and onion slices on the right ;^)
pattyplus at 3:06PM on 04/11/08
I love bulgogi, but I'm not about to slap it on a bun and call it a burger. It's a bulgogi sandwich and it's not a new concept. If they need to call it a burger in order to market it in Houston TX, then so be it. BUT, I wish they would use a ground beef patty seasoned like bolgogi and then basted with the marinade while it grills, I bet that would totally rock. Man, I think I'm going to make some bolgogi burgers this weekend!
wookie at 4:57PM on 04/11/08
The worst this that happened to Bulgogi? The MacDonald's Bulgogi Burger sold exclusively in South Korean.
about_bbq at 10:24PM on 04/12/08
Bun top can be seen under the pallid pile of tomato.
Barbara Hanson at 11:06AM on 04/15/08
While, I wouldn't call this a burger either. In in its defense, bulgogi on a bun, roll or whatever kind of bread, can make for a great meal. Of course to conform to the traditional notion of a burger, the same exact marinate used for bulgogi can be used on ground beef as well, with great results.
As previously mentioned this was already done way back by fast food chains in Korea such as McDonald's and Lotteria.
Young at 10:59PM on 04/16/08
Gol Dang Burger House wrecked by hurricane.
HoustonJoe at 11:17PM on 11/19/08