Seven Places in Beijing To Munch on Sliders, AKA Mini-burgers
It’s the kind of burger you can eat as a snack or on the go. And if Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is any indication, it’s the perfect option for some late-night munchies. We’re talking, of course, about the humble slider.
Tracing their history back to the 1920s (often attributed to White Castle or the man who went on to open White Castle) sliders set themselves apart from a normal burger not simply due to their small size but the way they’re cooked – fried or steamed atop a piping hot griddle or grill accompanied with onions.
The little burgers got their name in the 1940s thanks to their greasiness and size, allowing them to be eaten quickly, or “sliding” down the hatch.
Beijing is no stranger to sliders, and there are a great many burger purveyors who either make them exclusively or offer them alongside other menu options. Here are seven spots around Beijing to try unique takes on the original.
Beersmith Gastropub
Coming in at #8 on our 2021 Burger Cup rankings are the sliders of Beersmith Gastropub. Served in sets of four, these feature a tiny Wagyu beef patty, pickle spear, and even a bit of red onion between a sesame seed bun. What sets them apart from a normal burger besides size? The melted cheese, of course. Poured over the burgers, it not only creates a stunning visual but also elevates the flavor profile of the patties. Pair it with their Hazy IPA for a match made in heaven.
Blue Frog
One of Beijing’s oldest burger slingers also churns out some damn good sliders. Think of these as Blue Frog's original burgers – beef patty cooked medium rare and topped with different kinds of toppings, from Swiss and mushrooms to fried onions and barbecue sauce, to cheddar and bacon – only shrunken down so they're practically bite sized.
Slider Nation
Having landed in the Top 5 – at the #4 spot – on our Burger Cup rankings for 2021, Slider Nation does sliders the classic way, and they do them well. Taking a nod from the cooking methods of the legendary White Castle, Slider Nation steams their Wagyu beef patties over a bed of onions and tops them with cheese, pickles, and special sauce before sandwiching them within a fluffy Hawaiian roll.
Wubei Craft Food & Beer
Opening along with Universal Studios this past September, Wubei Craft Food & Beer dropped a trio of sliders right before our Burger Cup, including a classic cheeseburger, a fried chicken sandwich, and a pulled pork sandwich topped with pickled onions, all in miniature.
Great Leap Brewing
Debuting as part of a recent revamp of their appetizers menu, Great Leap does something similar to Wubei in that their sliders come in three varieties. There’s a pork slider with coleslaw, a bacon cheeseburger slider, and a fried chicken slider, each one better than the next and able to pair effortlessly with classic brews like the Honey Ma Gold and #6 Pale Ale.
Hulu by TRB
This fancy yet casual dining establishment from the folks behind TRB does some pretty decent beef sliders, but where they truly shine is their plant-based meat offerings. Coming in spicy, truffle, or regular, the burgers are made of Zhen Meat patties topped with a variety of fixings.
Kitty & Daniel Hollywood Grill & Bar
Another restaurant that arrived in the capital just in time for last year’s Burger Fest, Kitty & Daniel boasts an impressive menu featuring all things American – from burgers to ribs to spaghetti and meatballs and then some. They take their slider and give it a little twist, placing it atop a Bloody Mary with a side of bacon for a truly decadent snack, be it post hangover or otherwise.
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Images: mashed.com, Dianping, courtesy of the restaurants
