I’m always on the hunt for the perfect burger. I personally like a thick, good quality beef patty cooked medium rare, with lettuce, onions, tomato and generous dollop of ketchup tucked between a brioche bun.
So when I heard that Honbo, the award-winning burger joint hailing from Hong Kong, was opening its first Singapore outpost in Chijmes, I was thrilled.
Inaugurated in 2017 along Sun Street in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Honbo has seen snaking queues since it opened. It has cemented itself in the hearts and stomachs of both local and international gourmands with its own unique rendition of simple and straightforward American-style burgers crafted in-house by hand with no nasties – just top quality buns, patties, sauces, and toppings.
Honbo uses USDA Double Gold beef from Wisconsin, which is sourced from corn-fed 36-month-old Holstein and Angus breed cattle. The beef (whole chuck, brisket, and short rib) is ground fresh daily in-house, and is free from preservatives, MSG, and additives. Each patty is smashed on a flat-top griddle upon order.
I started with the signature Honbo Burger ($18), the brand’s take on old-school fast food style cheeseburger. It comprises two skinny beef patties for that double crust (and double the beef grease), a slice of cheese in the middle, lots of raw onions, pickles and house sauce. The onions and pickles help cut through the grease, while the crust gives the burger a special kick with its crispiness.
That’s just the basic burger. You can multiply the fun with the Honbo 1.5 ($23) that comes with three patties and Honbo 2.0 ($28) with four patties.
Burgers with thick beef patties are also available. There’s the Hamburger ($15), Cheeseburger ($18) and Double Cheeseburger ($24). The Gold Standard ($28) comes with two thick beef patties and two slices of cheese, bolstered by Applewood smoked bacon, pickles, onion, lettuce, and house sauce.
Alternatives to beef include the Teriyaki Chicken Burger ($18), Scallop Burger ($26), and the Impossible Burger ($22) for meat-free diners.
Accompany the burgers with Fries ($7), Coleslaw ($5), Chili Fries ($15), Sweet Potato Fries ($8), Buffalo Wings ($15 for five pieces), Mike’s Lemonade ($7), and Apple Pie Iced Tea ($7). Spice up the meal with the Michelada ($16), a unique blend of tomato juice, dashi, and hot Flagrant Smash Sauce, all mixed with beer.
Honbo is at 30 Victoria Street #01-09, Chijmes, Singapore 187996.
