The Food Ninja Reviews
Jacoby’s Burger in HBC

Living in Seoul and tired of the normal fast food burger fare such as McDonnalds and Burger King?  Head on down to the HBC (Haebongchong) area of Seoul and try Jacoby’s Burgers, advertising Fresh Home Made Burgers).  Jacoby’s was recommended to me by A co-worker and every since Mi Jung and I have been coming back sampling their different burgers. 

They have a wide selections of features burgers, from your standard burgers, to specialties such as the mushroom burger ( Shown here), Bruschetta, Onion ring tower, and a garlic burger.  Their exotic burger the Gutbuster is a tower of beefy glutton topped with hash browns, bacon, and eggs.  I have only seen this burger ordered by groups and shared, not by a single patron.  One of these days I have challenged myself to tackle this culinary feat!

Options for your burgers include white or wheat bread, 6 kinds of cheese, onion rings, hashbrowns, bacon, and jalapenos. Fresh or grilled onions.  I like the fact that I can choose to have tomatoes or no tomatoes at the time of ordering, as I have never been one to enjoy tomatoes on my burgers.

They also serve some really fresh homemade French fries, and you can add cheese, or cheese and chili,  the fries are not included with the burger, so if you are expecting taters be sure to include them at the time of your order.  Other sides include chicken wings, and handmade sausages.

If you want a beer with your burger, you have a choice of Guinness, Alley Kat, Krombacher, and local Korean beers.  If beer and burgers is not your thing, they also have your standard assortment of soft drinks, served in these really cool vacuum soda cups.  Here I am enjoying a fresh Coca-Cola from a bottle.

Here are the burgers we have tried.

Single Cheeseburger –  Your most basic burger at Jacoby’s,  Large beef patty, with a single piece of American cheese, with fresh onions, on a wheat bun.  The burger was good, and tender, however I felt they over did it with the onions on the burger, which was a little overpowering.  Though if you are in the mood for a simple burger, you can’t go wrong here.

NOTE: There is a double cheeseburger on the menu, which means it comes with a choice of 2 type of cheese, it does NOT come with a second beef patty.  I read a review on Trip Advisor were they received negative feedback because the burger was not what the customer expected.

 Mushroom Burger –  I ordered the mushroom burger with the large patty, pepper jack cheese, and grilled onions.  This was the first burger I ever ordered at Jacoby’s and one of my favorites.  There is just something about the taste of fresh ground beef, and mushrooms that I come back to again and again.  Behind the burger are Jacoby’s fresh cut fries, man are they delicious!

Jacoby’s Garlic Burger – Mi Jung ordered the garlic burger, with wheat breat, fresh onions, and Swiss Cheese.  Mi Jung was not impressed with this burger, she thought the meat was too dry and she was expecting the garlic to be cooked into the patty giving it more flavor.  Instead they just spread garlic flakes on top, which she said made for a bland dry taste. 

Jacoby’s Onion Ring Tower – This was gastro training for the Gutbuster! 6 onion rings, pepper jack cheese, and a large beef patty make up this delicious burger!  It is so top heavy that a skewer is needed to keep it from falling over!  This burger was very tastey and definitely hit the spot.  Served with a side of cheese fries! 

The ordering process is a bit different and can be intimidating the first time.  When you arrive you are given the menu and an order pad.  There are letters listed beside the items on the menu that you write down on the order pad that correspond to your main item, choices of bun, fresh or grilled onion, tomato, or no tomato, etc.  You turn in your order when you are shown to your table.

With their large selections of burgers, using only fresh ingrediants that should please almost everyone, I highly recommend trying out Jacoby’s Burgers!  The perfect place to stop off for a good burger and beer after work or a hearty lunch after work.  It does get busy in the evening so be prepared to wait, at lunch I was able to come in off the street and take a seat. 

Directions –

Take Subway Line #6 to Noksapyang Station. Way Out #2, Walk down the hill with the US ARMY base on you left, and stay to the left passing the Kimchee Pots (Kimchee Pot Gate), and continue to walk up the hill. Pass Bonny’s Pizza and Phillies Pub on your left.

Or

Take Subway Line #4 to Sookmyung Women’s University Exit #6 and take the #2 bus towards Haebongchon. (You can also pick up the #2 bus in front of Namyeong Station) get off in front of Bonnies Pizza Pub on your left (Bombs Burgers on your Right).  Continue walking up the hill and look for Jacoby’s Burgers Sign.

GPS Coordinates – 37°32’29” N 126°59’14” E