The little burger joint that could
Why isn’t anyone talking about Mirror Burger? One of Hong Kong’s best burgers deserves a spotlight
If you Google “burgers Hong Kong” very often the search of city’s so-called best burgers pulls up many of the usual suspects — Beef & Liberty, Burger Joys, Burger Circus, Honbo, sometimes Five Guys. A few of our more chi-chi friends recommend Caprice at the Four Seasons, and sure. Yeah. Ka-ching. But I’ve got rent to pay, man.
Anyway, one of the best, under-the-radar burgers in the SAR belongs to Mirror Burger in Sai Ying Pun. As far as we know this burger shack has nothing to do with Mirror, so don’t go expecting to find a boy band working the deep fryer. Tucked into a slim storefront between a neighbourhood laundry and what appears to be (now) a TCM shop, Mirror Burger debuted during COVID, so the operation has been running an efficient takeaway service from jump. There is seating on site, but the steady stream of people walking up to the window suggests most diners eat at home. Or, fingers crossed, in the park soon.
This is one of those eateries owned and staffed by young Hongkongers in all likelihood filling a niche they themselves wanted, and so opened a restaurant and hoped for the best. Whoever they are (and make no mistake, they’re a friendly bunch at the window) they’re well studied in the art of balancing “classic” with just enough innovation to be worth repeat trips.
On the menu: standards like the Classic Beef Burger, made with 100% American cow meat, and the Hottest Beef Burger, which adds some jalapeños. There’s also one of those massive things that’s about the size of an average human head: the 3.2.1., made with three cheese slices, two patties, one layer of bacon and all the sauces they can find. It’s messy.
For the more heart-smart are the Housemade Veggie (which also comes in a “hot” version), hands down, one of the best veggie options going. Mirror’s iteration is a mixture of sweet potato, purple yam, various legumes and oats, and Mirror is clearly a believer in seasoning, because the patty alone is tasty. There’s also a portobello mushroom schnitzel (totally not greasy), a Buffalo chicken thigh dressed with cucumber for a refreshing snap, and a limited Soft Shell Crab Burger with avocado, which has a decadent, creamy vibe. The pièce de résistance is the signature Mirror Burger, which slaps on standard beef and veggie patties and which if eaten at 8pm will carry any normal person through to the next day.
Of course there are sides, the most interesting of which is the burdock fries, made from the root that’s currently trendy for its alleged holistic powers, though we’re not sure if it works after deep frying. Deep frying, however, makes it delicious, and burdock is less bloating than good ol’ potatoes.
Mirror Burger makes all its condiments itself, on-site, among them a red wine onion jam, a caramelised onion and a smoked jalapeño sauce. They also make their own pickles and you should most definitely ask for extras on the burger.
All the usual bonuses and promotions apply: discounts on takeaway, combos can be made for an extra $18, and so on. Prices are reasonable (you won’t have to skip rent) and start at $59 for just a burger. Check out the sandwich board outside too, because sometimes the crew gets experimental.
Mirror Burger
Address: G/F 194 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun
(Across the street from Sai Ying Pun MTR Exit A1)
Available on: Deliveroo, Food Panda
Worth more than one trip?: Definitely