Burgers are synonymous with America, especially its fast-food culture. A burger is essentially made up of two buns holding a patty in between, and it can be eaten almost everywhere, with each country having its own version. Even though you can always find some kind of local meat sandwiches in other countries that resemble burgers, it is the United States which popularised the hamburger, transforming it into an international dish as well as an American icon.
When people think about burgers, fast food restaurants come straight to mind. White Castle, McDonald’s and Burger King are a few of the famous establishments where most of us are first schooled in burgers.
How are burgers made?
The basic elements of a burger are more or less the same, consisting of two buns and a patty. The bun is often made of white flour, it is fluffy and soft; the patty of a burger is usually made up of ground beef. The patty can be grilled, pan-fried or flame broiled. Sometimes extra ingredients are added in a hamburger to give variety and a difference in taste. You can usually find cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles in a hamburger.
The condiments include tomato sauce or ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and even butter. Both the extra ingredients and condiments can be customised to one’s taste, so you can opt for extra pickles in your burger or perhaps add more ketchup. The key to enjoying your burger is to know what you like and go for it.
A juicy and greasy burger makes for a delicious meal. To satiate a burger craving, you used to have to visit a fast-food restaurant. However, there are increasingly more bistros and high-end restaurants offering burgers on their menus. Today’s burgers have elevated the humble buns and patties into a gastronomic experience.
The patties are no longer just ground up beef. Top ingredients such as Angus beef and Wagyu draws in foodies eager to sample just how different a gourmet burger can be. Some chefs insist on a combination of pork and beef to create a juicy patty while others simply come up with their own recipes that use different cuts of beef in various proportions to create a signature patty that leaves consumers wanting more. Even the thickness of the meat patties plays a part in the taste of the burger.
Some people like thin patties while others swear by thick ones made with premium beef. Chefs are even experimenting with different cuts of beef, like using beef briskets for beef brisket burgers and it is common to find patties that are made of chicken, turkey and fish.
Gourmet burgers are quickly gaining popularity. Apart from the patties, the side dishes are getting fancier. Hand-cut truffle fries, roasted sweet potato fries, onion rings, sautéed wild mushrooms and the use of brioche buns seem to give an enhanced flavour that is associated with higher quality and better-tasting burgers.
Where to find great burgers in Singapore
The allure of burgers has gone beyond American culture. At Mos Burger, you can find Japanese flavoured burgers like Teriyaki beef burger and Kakiage rice burger. With an emphasis on eating healthier while cutting down the consumption of meat, you can also find vegan burgers readily available at restaurants as well as supermarkets.
It is obvious that the love for burgers goes beyond cultures and boundaries. It is truly a happy meal that has captured the hearts and stomachs of so many people all over the world. Regardless of trends, burgers are indeed here to stay. Find every delicious burger on foodpanda!
