Hamburger 주새요: House Grill

There is one Burger Joint in Daejeon that far exceeds them all. Ms. Jin's is fabulous for price and flavor as is Playburger. However, if you were to ask the Harrington's where they go for a burger that most reflects the burgers that meet their 'Wyoming-beef-country' standards - House Grill would be the answer, hands down.

First tipped off to this burger joint by a good friends blog post, the Harrington's knew they were in need of a short subway ride to discover what all the hype was about. A few weeks later the couple was biting into a magnificently spiced burger with a toasted bun and egg on top. Accompanied by Wine, Beer or Dr. Pepper and a plate full of chili fries none of the eaters felt any dissatisfaction.

Bonus: House Grill has a Facebook account so you can keep track of any specials or activities. The owner and cook has fabulous English as he lived abroad for a while so there's no need to fear placing your order. Additional Bonus: The owner is an artist, reflective of Tim Burton, his work is displayed in the burger joint and available for purchase.

Getting There: Yongmun Station, Exit 4 (?) Walk a couple of blocks, it's on the left. The best directions/map can be found on our friends original blog post regarding House Grill - so check it out!

Hamburger 주세요: Play Burger

Recently, the Harrington's brought to the attention of Daejeon Diners the fabulous Burger find: Ms. Jin's Hamburgers. However, some readers may not often find themselves in Gung-dong, or may be craving a tour of burger shops. If you just so happen to love exploring the world of Hamburgers, then we at The Harrington Times bring you yet another stellar find to satisfy the craving for a delicious burger: Play Burger.

Unlike Ms. Jin's, Play Burger is a franchise and may therefore be discovered in more than one nook and cranny of Daejeon and Korea as a whole. Nonetheless, should you spot this gem of a shop just at the time a burger craving hits you will not be disappointed! For an impressively fair price of between 7,000 and 9,000 Won a diner can enjoy a '100% Pure' burger + Fried Hash Brown Potato + Green Salad + Fountain Soda - that is a STEAL! AND, it's delicious!

Getting There: In Daejeon, a Play Burger has been spotted across the way from E-Mart in Dunsan as well as in Gung-dong on the opposite side of the river from Home Plus.

Hamburger 주세요: Ms. Jin's Hamburgers

Korea has some to-die-for food traditions that any foreigner ought to spend ample amounts of time devouring. However, there are occassions when samgyeopsal, dalk galbi, kimbap or bibimbap just don't strike the right cords. On those occassions, foreigners and Koreans alike, have a number of choices ranging from staying home to meet-your-own-craving to sampling a dish from an Italian or Western style restaurant. As healthy and true-bred Americans, the Harrington's occassionally want to feel that non-Korean craving with a good ole dose of Hamburger. Daejeon features a number of great burger establishments which may just be fortunate enough to one day earn their own post, however today's post, The Harrington Time's first hamburger post, is given to Ms. Jin.

Located in Gung-dong right behind Daejeon's major university, Chungnam National University, Ms. Jin serves up a mighty burger for less than 5,000 W, add fries and a drink for 1,500 W and you're looking at the perfect pre-bar hopping dinner, mid-bar hopping snack, or post bar-hopping munchy. Ms. Jin even provides an English menu for those foreigners who haven't quite figured out hanguel and the proper way to read:  햄버거. Favorite menu items for the Harrington's and friends have been the cheeseburger which is topped with an egg, shredded cabbage and pickles (sweet pickles, so if you don't appreciate the sweet pickle just let Ms. Jin know) and the chili burger which is surrounded by a thick, firery chili unlike any other. The menu also includes hot dogs of all sorts and a few more takes on the hamburger, if you're looking for a cheap yet satisfying burger, Ms. Jin's is the place to go.

Getting There: Best bet is to head toward Chungnam National University (중남대학교 - Chungnam Dae Hak-Gyo) by bus or taxi. Some buses which head that direction are: 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 113, and 706. Once you're near the University, wander toward the center of the Gung-dong neighborhood and look for a small shop as shown in the above photos. Across the way is 'Chicken Island' another small restaurant and many bars and no-rae bangs line the rest of the streets of this area, good luck finding the shop and if you need further directions of information give us a holler in the comment section!