Berliners love burgers it seems and burger joints are two a penny but Shiso Burger in Mitte elevates itself above the norm by adding an Asian twist to the American classic.
Since I have lived in Berlin, burger restaurants have been opening (and closing) at an astonishing rate so it’s important that new places find a way to differentiate themselves from the competition.
When it opened in June 2013, Shiso Burger was the first, on my radar at least, to offer Asian fusion burgers, though several have since followed suit.
The menu offers an impressive range of burger options, including the standard hamburger and cheeseburger. The Asian inspired choices are where it’s at though. Meat eaters can choose between Chilli Lemon and Bulgogi burgers; fish lovers can go for Tuna (Shiso Burger), Salmon or Tiger Prawns (Ebi Burger); and vegetarians can pick from Tofu (Veggie) and Mushroom (Toad Burger).
The cheeseburger is also very good but my recommendation is the Bulgogi.
The Bulgogi Burger at Shiso Burger is something else. Literally. In fact, I wondered whether I should think of it as a burger at all. After much consideration I’ve decided that it just qualifies.
A soft, fluffy bun topped with black sesame seeds encompasses marinated strips of tender beef, lettuce, red onion, chilli-mayonnaise, Korean chilli paste and Teriyake sauce.
My first impression when I got my meal was that the burger was on the small side but I found it surprisingly filling, possibly due to the large portion of fries I ordered as a side.
It was also jam-packed full of flavour.
It is worth noting that Shiso Burger has a lunch special (Mittagsmenu) Monday – Saturday 12:00 – 17:00, when for an extra 3.30€ you can add a portion of homemade fries and a soft drink to your burger. Thankfully, when I first visited the waitress was good enough to point out that this would be cheaper for me than ordering the items separately.
If you’re craving burger but want something beyond the usual fare, the Bulgogi Burger at Shiso Burger offers something a little different – it just narrowly missed a spot on my Best Burgers in Berlin list.
Shiso Burger is on Auguststrasse in the heart of Berlin Mitte and is open daily 12:00 to 24:00 (check the website for the latest opening hours) – benches on the pavement outside provide ample seating in summer.
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