Juicy Burger Cup 2024: Beijing's Top 16 Burgers
Following yesterday’s announcement that Side Street are the 2024 Juicy Burger Cup Champions we’re taking a deep dive into our 2024 Top 16 Burgers.
This year, we conducted our annual Juicy Burger Cup a little differently: First, the masses voted to determine who would enter the Sweet 16, and this list was then passed on to a panel of experts for ranking from 1 to 16.
In our breakdown of each burger spot in Beijing, we’ve included some quotes from our panelists, and you can read more about the panelists themselves in today's companion post below. If you haven't been to all 16, it's time to get a move on and fill in those gaps in your burger-eating resume!
16. Ye Brewing 野鹅微醺
This brewpub serves up some pretty creative burgers such as the Fishmint Wagyu Burger which they served at this year’s Juicy Burger Fest. What is fishmint, you might ask? It's an herb often used in Asian cuisines that -- you guessed it -- has a faintly fishy flavor. However, the one to try has to be their Stout Sauce Beef Burger, which takes a succulent Wagyu beef patty and slathers it with their signature sauce made from YE BREWING Chocolate Stout then finishes it with crispy pan-fried bacon to add a touch of crunch.
What our experts had to say:
“Previously I had only tried the Classic Cheese Beef Burger, but on a second visit I tried the vegetarian Mushroom Cheeseburger and it opened up a whole new world! I didn’t know vegetarian burgers could be so delicious. Then I was amazed again by the Fishmint Wagyu Burger, the flavor of the fishmint combined with fried onions was very special. This is a restaurant that repeatedly surprises people, and it makes me look forward to their next new product.” – expert panelist Wang Tian
Ye Brewing
3F, Terrace of Yao Coffee, 165 Fuchengmen Neijie, Xicheng District
西城区·阜成门内大街165号耀咖啡三楼露台
Hours: 6-11pm
Phone: 130 1436 9597
15. Circle Urban 圆场
Having recently opened a brand new branch up in Haidian, Circle Urban’s high-quality burgers have slowly been earning them some much deserved respect in the capital. A personal favorite of ours is the Smoked Flavor Half Pound Burger (RMB 75). A beef patty is stuffed with cheddar and mozzarella cheese then topped with caramelized onions and sandwiched inside a golden bun. It’s everything you want in a burger: cheesy, meaty and smoky with a slightly sweet kick from the onions.
What our experts had to say:
“I really, really like Circle Urban’s Black Pineapple Burger! From the first bite you get the sweet and sour juice of the pineapple which gives the burger a richer taste. The beef patty is also very flavorful, and once you’ve finished you’re sure to be satisfied.” – expert panelist Dr Bruins
Circle Urban (Sanyuanqiao branch)
A7 1959 Shijianli, 5 Jingshun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区京顺路5号1959时间里A7
Hours: 10am-10pm
Phone: 158 0145 8389
14. Goose Island Taproom 鹅岛精酿啤酒餐厅
Since opening in Solana last year, Goose Island Taproom has earned themselves a solid fan base here in Beijing. You can’t go wrong with their Brewmaster Beer Cheese Burger (RMB 88) which features a 200g beef patty loaded with Goose Island 312 beer cheese, smoked tomato relish, bacon jam and to finish it all off a smear of Goose Island 312 beer mustard for a tangy kick. They also recently added four new burgers to the menu: Caramel Peanut Butter Burger (RMB 98), the Black Truffle Beef Burger (RMB 138), the Hell's Kitchen Burger (RMB 108) and Goose Island Seal Mini Burgers (RMB 108).
What our experts had to say:
“Goose Island‘s Brewmaster Beer Cheese Burger deserves a special mention. The standout ingredient is the bacon jam, perfectly proportioned to complement the burger. It makes for a memorable and delightful bite!” – expert panelist Zack Pelyvas
Goose Island Taproom
BS-06-1F-2F, Solana Blue Harbor 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾BS-06-1F-2F
Hours: 11am-11.30pm
Phone: 010-59056802
13. blue frog 蓝蛙
The winner of our first Burger Cup back in 2012, blue frog has managed to maintain its status since then as one of the most consistently good burger spots in Beijing. Their burgers are big, featuring a medium rare beef patty with a whole variety of choices piled on top like their Montana Beef Burger (RMB 98) which features BBQ sauce, onion rings, bacon and Cheddar cheese.
What our experts had to say:
“The quality of their burgers is consistent and they’re always juicy. The Gourmet Beef Burger is stacked with avocado, lime cheddar cheese, pepperoni, Parma ham and juicy beef. The original bread is ciabatta, but you can also request a standard burger bun. The many different layers of the burger give it a rich taste and flavor.” – expert panelist Joanna Ren
“blue frog's menu is an exquisite masterpiece, showcasing an array of unparalleled and inventive burger options. Each burger is meticulously crafted with the utmost care, boasting an impeccable blend of superior ingredients that tantalize your taste buds. The restaurant's commitment to excellence and their unwavering dedication to crafting the perfect burger is truly commendable.” – expert panelist Justin Marker
blue frog (Solana branch)
A131-1F, Solana Blue Harbor 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园路6号SOLANA蓝色港湾1层A131
Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight
Phone: 010 5905 6796
12. Shake Shack
This American-born brand got its start as a food cart operating out of New York City’s Madison Square Garden in 2001, is known for its quality Shack Burgers (RMB 49 for a single, RMB 69 for a double) that use 100 percent Angus beef, and for its delicious Chicken Shack Burgers (RMB 48).
What our experts had to say:
"Shake Shack might be a US import to Beijing, but it stands out from other fast food burgers thanks to consistently buttery patties, soft buns, and great ingredients. It's a hit of buttery, meaty goodness with every bite, a great pairing with their concrete shakes." - expert panelist Vincent Vinci
Shake Shack (Sanlitun branch)
Taikooli South, Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯路太古里南区s9-12a, 12b
Hours: 7am -10pm
Phone: 010 6466 6508
11. Slider Nation 小堡邦
Opened up by HenryT, a long time restaurant consultant here in Beijing, and El-mar, of the old club Kokomo, Slider Nation have been bringing their gourmet sliders to the capital for a few years now. The ones try have to be The H1 (RMB 99) aka OG Sliders (available as spicy or regular), which are made from 50g of Wagyu beef smashed with thinly sliced Vidalia onions then topped with American cheese, crisp pickles and their signature “crack sauce”, all sandwiched between their specially steamed Hawaiian style buns served with their coveted Duck Fat Fries.
What our experts had to say:
“Slider Nation truly impressed me at Burger Fest with their Western Bacon Cheeseburger . The homemade BBQ sauce was fantastic, and I found it versatile enough to pair the drippings wonderfully with some fries. I can't wait to indulge in more of Slider Nation's delicious offerings!” – expert panelist Zack Pelyvas
“Don’t be fooled by the small appearance of Slider Nation’s sliders: there is a lot inside. Under the surface of the soft bun, there is a juicy meat patty that is hard to match at other burger restaurants.” – expert panelist Gao Gao
“Slider Nation hits the spot with its amazing taste, and since they're sliders, you can eat as much or as little as you want. To bring a great burger to the next level you need amazing fries, and Slider Nation has achieved that and more with their amazing and innovative duck fat fries. Together with their burgers, it's the perfect combination.” -- expert panelist Justin Marker
Slider Nation (Sanyuanqiao branch)
A9 Xiaoyun Road 9th Food Street, Chaoyang District
朝阳区霄云路食九局A9
Hours: 11am-2pm, 5-9pm
Phone: 13552763762, 13810473569
10. Beersmith Gastropub 鲜啤吧
Located right under Hotel Jen in the CBD, Beersmith Gastropub has become a staple of the craft brew and burger community in Beijing. Some of their signature burgers are the Beersmith Cheese Burger (RMB 98) and BBQ Bacon Burger (RMB 108), they also recently added two new burgers the Presley Burger (RMB 98) and the Porcini Truffle Burger (RMB 118) which they debuted at this year’s Juicy Burger Fest.
What our experts had to say:
“Beersmith has a surprisingly good Omniburger on the menu for the vegetarians out there, and the patty stays moist, unlike many other vegetarian burger options. Moreover, the ambiance, beer choice, and general attentiveness of the staff just add to the already tasty food. A great choice for after-work food or drinks.” – expert panelist Gideon Goldfeder
“Beersmith provides a decent set of ingredients, a large number of sides, a solid burger, and strong flavors without soaking the burger in bloody grease or sauce.” – expert panelist Leon Shepherd
Beersmith Gastropub
1/F, Hotel Jen Beijing, No. 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街1号新国贸饭店1层
Hours: 11am-2am
Phone: 010-86471098
9. Home Plate BBQ
Three-time Burger Cup winners Home Plate BBQ combine their real American Southern barbecue with burgers for some truly delicious results. A must-try is their Trucker Burger (RMB 75) featuring a beef patty loaded with slow-cooked brisket chili, fresh onions, jalapeños and shredded cheese. Other ones to watch out for are The Great American (RMB 62), or, for fans of blue cheese, the Cowboy Blue (RMB 68). For a barbecue place, they also have a surprisingly good veggie burger: the Veggie Bean Burger (RMB 58) which features a hand-made black bean patty topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles.
What our experts had to say:
“If you were to ask me about burgers in Beijing five to six years ago, Home Plate’s name wouldn’t have been in the top ten, let alone the top five. Recently, however, it seems that Home Plate has put blood, sweat, and tears into making their entire menu much more memorable than it was before. At this year’s Juicy Burger Fest, their Smoked Cheeseburger was sold out within an hour or two after opening, and for good reason too. I’m trying my best not to salivate all over my keyboard as I’m writing this review right now. The burger was that good. It’s a rare event that, when presented with a dozen or so options in front of me, I kept wanting to forego everything else and head straight back to Home Plate.” – expert panelist Tim C.
“Home Plate’s Trucker Burgers is an excellent traditional burger, with a solid beef patty that’s juicy. What's even more outstanding is their special barbecue burgers. My favorite is the Beef Brisket Burger, which has a salty and fragrant taste and very tender meat. It is unique in Beijing.” – expert panelist Gao Yuan
Home Plate BBQ (Sanlitun branch)
106, 1F, Bldg 10, Courtyard 4, Gongti North Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路4号10号楼一层106号
Hours: 11am-11pm
Phone: 4000967670
8. Jing-A 京A
Now with nine locations across Beijing, it’s safe to say that Jing-A has been doing pretty well over the past few years and great burgers paired with their refreshing brews is definitely one of the reasons why. One of their standout burgers has to be the Stout Bacon Cheeseburger (RMB 88, pictured) which sees an Australian beef patty layered with bacon, mayo, red onion, cheese and special Black Velvet stout syrup. They’re also currently offering their special Heinz Selection collab burger the Stout Bacon Wagyu Burger at all their stores for a limited time.
What our experts had to say:
“Jing-A served some outstanding burgers at the fest, and I was fortunate enough to try the Stout Bacon Wagyu Burger – a perfect 10/10 for me. The bacon was perfectly portioned, and the special mayo balanced the flavors beautifully. Everything about this burger was spot on! I'm also hoping that the Truffle Wagyu, which was a Burger Fest exclusive, will soon appear at local Jing-A restaurants.” – expert panelist Zack Pelyvas
“Jing-A: Famous for its beer but the burger also tastes good. The Royale Burger has a bun that’s perfectly cooked and crispy on the outside but soft inside. It’s loaded with mushrooms, pickles and lots of cheese. The calories are high but the feeling is good!” – expert panelist Joanna Ren
Jing-A (CBD branch)
Beijing Kerry Center, North Tower 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳区光华路1号
Hours: 11-1am
Phone: 13269939015
7. Great Leap Brewing 大跃啤酒
A Beijing stalwart, Great Leap’s burgers pair perfectly with their craft beers. One of their most popular is The Double Cheeseburger (RMB 78) with two smashed Australian Angus beef patties, double Cheddar, pickles, fancy sauce and mayo. Both are sandwiched inside a soft, sesame bun and come served with a generous portion of fries. They also currently have their two Heinz Selection collab burgers the Bacon Cheese Burger and Spicy Fried Chicken Burger which both feature Heinz Selection’s Fiery Glaze Pepper Sauce.
What our experts had to say:
“The best value cheeseburger in town, plus they have delicious chips.” – expert panelist Barbara Qin
“Great Leap has always had some of the best comfort food in the city. I’m glad that even after a few shifts in management, and a few additions to their menu, GLB has kept steadfast and maintained an excellently simple cheeseburger.” – expert panelist Tim C.
“The Great Leap Double Cheeseburger is the classic burger at its finest. Every bite leaves you wondering how something so seemingly simple can be so good. When it’s served in a hamburger sleeve (every king needs a throne) it’s best to rotate the burger around inside of the bag and eat its greasy bottom first.” -- expert panelist Lukas O'Hara
Great Leap Brewing #12
1/F, Zi Ming Mansion, 12 Xinzhong Jie, Dongcheng District
东城区新中街12号
Hours: 11-2am
Phone: 010-64170018
6. Burge's Bistro & Bar 小伯格酒馆
Getting our pick for Best New Burger back in the 2021 Juicy Burger Cup, Burge’s burgers continue to impress fans across the capital. Our personal recommendation is their signature Burge’s Beef Burger (RMB 49, pictured), a beef patty paired with buffalo cheese, secret recipe onions, and Italian black vinegar mayonnaise, all sandwiched inside a brioche bun. You can also upgrade the beef patty to a Wagyu beef patty for an additional RMB 29. Their exclusive Brain Burger created for the recent Juicy Burger Fest caused much hype at the fest.
What our experts had to say:
“The exclusive Brain Burger at the fest was a must try. The brain had a similar taste to foie gras and contrasted with the meat patty. The combination of the two had a unique taste overall.” – expert panelist Anthony Chang
“I’ve had Burges a couple of times now at these festivals and I’ve never been disappointed. I was too much of a coward to try their Brain Burger and instead got their Cheese Mushroom Burger. Delightful. I’m not even the biggest fan of mushrooms, but this burger was well worth it.” – expert panelist Tim C.
Burge's Bistro & Bar (Sanlitun branch)
6 Sanlitun South Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯南路6号
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 010-65068288, 13021133821
5. Q MEX 库迈
Last year’s Juicy Burger Cup Champion and 2017 winner Q Mex continue to pursue the creation of great burgers. Last year their exclusive Juicy Burger Fest Birria Burger (RMB 88) won over many hearts and stomachs across Beijing and even earned itself a spot on their permanent menu. Some other great burgers to watch out for are the Truffle and Parma Ham (RMB 88) and Q Mex Double Double (RMB 78).
What our experts had to say:
“It seems to have been a running joke in the expat community that Q Mex has consistently continued to outperform most of the Juicy Burger Cup contestants. Year after year, Q Mex has served up quality burgers at an affordable price. This year, their special burger for the Juicy Burger Festival was the Q Animal; their take on In-and-Out’s Animal Style burger. This is the burger that other burgers dream of being. Fatty, cheesy, seasoned, and charred. On the undercarriage of the burger were lightly grilled onions, ice-cold shredded lettuce, pickles, and a tomato slice. All topped with a tangy, spicy sauce. My weight and cholesterol thank me for not living too close to a Q Mex.” – expert panelist Tim C.
“Q Mex's burgers are juicy, spicy and full of distinctive flavors, they’re also a good sized portion with a decent price.” – expert panelist Barbara Qin
“Q Mex has my favorite variety of burgers and great burger buns. The meat on their smash patties is super flavorful and more filling than others.” – expert panelist Strucky
Q MEX (Sanlitun branch)
H01, 1/F, Bldg 80, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路4号院80号楼1层H01
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 010-65853828
4. Wild Kite Brewing 野风筝
Brewpub Wild Kite’s traditional burgers have proven to be a big hit since they opened up back in 2021. The star of the show has to be their Wild Kite Classic Wagyu Burger (RMB 68) with its Australian Wagyu beef patty topped with caramelized onion, burger sauce, cheddar cheese, onion rings, and jalapeño. Another popular burger is their Preserved Eggs with Chili Wagyu Burger, a burger that was originally created exclusively for last year’s Juicy Burger Fest but was so popular Wild Kite decided to make it a permanent item on the menu. It's a Classic Wagyu burger doused in a spicy pepper sauce made from distinctive Sichuan and Hunan spices, and, for that special twist, there's a century egg added on top.
What our experts had to say:
“My favorite cheeseburger in town. It’s the perfect mix of juicy ground Wagyu beef with beautiful sauce and caramelized onion. Their beer is good too.” – expert panelist Barbara Qin
“A simple, no-frills smash burger. Perfectly seasoned meat, with a decent salad to match. I really hope their Blazing Dragon Double Smash Burger stays on their menu, as it was the perfect encapsulation of a basic smash burger. If you’re ever in their area, stop by and get an extra order of their fries as well.” – expert panelist Tim C.
Wild Kite Brewing (Andingmen branch)
No. 3, 1921 Cultural Industry Park, Huayuan Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区花园胡同三号城市空间1921文化产业园内
Hours: 11-1am
Phone: 010-64022988
3. SLOWBOAT 悠航
There’s a reason why Slowboat has won the Juicy Burger Cup so many times: they make a bangin' burger. From their famous Fryburger (RMB 69) with its beef patty topped with beer battered fries to the Lao Thai Thai (RMB 75), a Thai-inspired burger that sees a beef patty smothered in peanut sauce, then topped with a slice of grilled pineapple, spicy sauce and Thai basil, they’re sure to satisfy. For this year's Juicy Burger Fest they also created the Cluck Norris Burger, which featured a braised chicken breast finished on the grill and layered with their house-made spicy chili relish, a mix of pickled and fresh onions, creamy guacamole, and crispy chicken cracklings.
What our experts had to say:
“A well-deserved winner of past Juicy Burger Cups. Every single one of their burgers is memorable and, in my opinion, makes burgers back home in the States pale in comparison. Perfectly charred patty, pillowy bun, with the right amount of sauce. This is a travel-worthy burger.” – expert panelist Tim C.
“A mainstay of the Juicy Burger Cup for a reason, Slowboat’s veggie burgers are consistently solid. From the sour tang and soft silkiness of the Dongsi Tofu, to the recently added Vegan Burger, Slowboat comes out in force for the vegetarian community, and is always a good choice for a burger… or two (they are admittedly small for a large person such as myself).” – expert panelist Gideon Goldfeder
“A well deserved Juicy Burger Cup Champion for many years. The signature Fryburger has a super soft burger bun that is contrasted by the crispy fries. The Anxiety Burger is rich and flavorful and the ratio of blue cheese to burger patty is perfect and doesn’t overshadow the beef.” – expert panelist Gao Yuan
SLOWBOAT (Sanlitun branch)
6 Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区南三里屯路6号
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11-2am
Phone: 010-65925388, 17812156182
2. DOSH GASTROPUB 到时精酿餐吧
Coming in at second place in what is probably the most surprising outcome from the Juicy Burger Cup is DOSH. A relatively new and lesser-known burger spot, it’s great to see them getting the recognition they deserve. They’ve got an impressive ten burgers on their menu, each distinct. Two firm favorites are the Stout and Smoked Cheese Burger (RMB 72) and the Parma Ham Burger (RMB 78, pictured). The latter features smoky Parma ham layered atop a wet-aged beef patty then covered with melted cheese and a special handcrafted sauce.
What our experts had to say:
“The exclusive Maryland Crab Cake Burger stood out at Burger Fest and was one of the earliest burgers to sell out each day. The mascarpone tartar sauce, when paired with the crab cake patty, made it a completely different experience to eating a beef burger.” – expert panelist Anthony Chang
“Dosh’s Parma Ham Burger has a good mix of flavor with the arugula and honey. The Stout and Smoked Cheese Burger features a large meat patty that is thick and juicy and you can really taste the flavor of the stout.” – expert panelist Du Zhehuai
“A new star in Beijing's burger scene, we’ve been three times in total and tried four burgers. The most amazing one I've tasted so far is the Parma Ham Burger. The Durian Cheeseburger was the first burger of its kind I've tried and it is a rare and delicious example of durian on a burger. All their burgers have large patties that are rich in flavor, and each burger also has it’s own range of different flavors, which is why we rank them so highly.” – expert panelists Diego & Hazel
DOSH GASTROPUB
2 Zhongguancunnan Ertiao, Haidian District
海淀区·中关村南二条二号
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 13071176886
1. Side Street 街旁
This is Side Street’s second time winning the cup after a surprise victory back in 2020 which saw them beat out burger stalwart Slowboat to claim their first title. Over the years they’ve become one of the city’s burger heavyweights, with numerous creative offerings, with a whopping 16 burgers on their menu. Some fan favorites to watch out for are the The K.O., The Squatter, The Headless Chicken and their vegan burger, The Hutong Hipster.
They constantly push envelope flavorwise, with their exclusive burger for the recent Juicy Burger Fest being a prime example. Named the Hanoi Heat, it was inspired by Vietnamese cuisine and featured an Angus beef patty, grilled pineapple, fresh bell peppers, sweet-and-sour pickled carrots and daikon, peanut sauce, coriander and sriracha for a spicy kick. Rumour has it the Hanoi Heat will become a permanent fixture on the menu soon.
What our experts had to say:
“Side Street is to high-quality specialty burgers what Great Leap is to the classic. If Great Leap is Beethoven ,then Side Street is Miles Davis. They are the free-spirited jazz musicians, the disc scratchers, the burger-bastardizers who leave the classics indelibly changed and leave us eagerly awaiting whatever they come up with next.” – expert panelist Lukas O'Hara
“Side Street goes above and beyond what most of these other contestants offer: variety. Not only are Side Street’s burgers consistently delicious, but they also have such a wide variety of tastes and flavors that anyone, in my opinion, could find at least one they'll love. Side Street is the type of venue you should bring friends to.” – expert panelist Tim C.
“Sidestreet’s K.O. Burger is a top-notch classic with ample meat and a perfect balance of flavors.” – expert panelist Strucky
Side Street (Jianguomen branch)
Bldg N28 2/101-102 17 Jianguomen Waidajie (behind Nola), Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街17号楼2/101-102 （Nola后面）
Hours: Daily, 11am-11pm
Phone: 15920694920
Our Sponsor
This year’s Juicy Burger Cup is brought to you by Heinz Selection and here are a few words from them:
"Heinz Selection was created as an initiative to connect the best local and independent burger houses to consumers worldwide. As of 2023, it has spread to 22 countries around the world, enabling burger restaurants to tempt more fans through their doors.
Since entering the Chinese market in 2022, it has cooperated with many well-known burger restaurants like Fat Cow, Johnny Moo, Mr. Rocky and others, launching several limited-time-offered burgers like the Christmas Tree Burger, Rainbow Burger or Western Legend Beef Burger.
As an official brand, Heinz Selection works to benefit a multitude of burger restaurants while also exposing people to the world’s favorite burger sauce. By collaborating with burger restaurants to bring novel and special Western food experiences to them, it also enables customers to learn more about Heinz’s portfolio and their capacity for innovation."
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READ: Side Street Claims 2024 Juicy Burger Cup Victory
Images: the Beijingers, courtesy of the vendors
