Cafe-style Gourmet Burgers - Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger and Fish Fillet Burger

Some time ago, I dined at this gourmet burger joint, Omakase Burger and went away slightly dissatisfied. I mean, the burger itself was great, very yummy, just that the fries was totally off and overall I thought the meal was overpriced. While I could accept that the burger was about $15, the fries which was worse off than McDonalds cost almost $4 and the iced lemon tea was close to $5! Although $2 was taken off the bill since it was a set, I still thought the meal to be expensive.

That inspired me to come up with my own gourmet burgers at home :D

First up, Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger, with homemade burger bun, teriyaki sauce and iced lemon tea.

I remember McDonald's used to have this periodically, and I loved it then! Now, there's also similar version like Samurai burger but I found the quality lacking and worse, the whole burger seemed to be drenched in sauce!

Next, Fish Fillet Burger, with homemade burger bun, tartar sauce and Yuzu Mint Soda.

Both burger and drink are inspired by Grub the Bistro at Bishan Park. Once in a blue moon, my family would travel all the way there to dine, I really enjoy the ambience there. Usually I would order the Portobello Mushroom Burger (have tried making it before, recipe here) as I liked it a lot. I'm also very tempted to try their signature fish fillet burger that's very popular, saw many people ordering it.

Here are the simple recipes, which can be adapted for personal preferences. The burger bun can be store-bought instead of homemade.

Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger

Burger Bun

• Made using old-dough method, recipe here 
• Each bun is made with 60g dough

Beef patty (makes about 3)

• 1/4 small onion, finely chopped
• 220g minced beef
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Pinch of pepper

1. Saute the finely chopped onions with 1/2 tsp of olive oil till translucent.
2. Add the sauteed onion, salt and pepper to the minced beef, mix well to blend but don't overwork the meat.
3. Shape the minced beef into patties, throw each patty to and fro both palms for airy texture. Create a dent into the centre of the patty (allow the patty to cook well in the middle, the patty will puff up when cooking).
4. Add a tsp of olive oil into a grill pan, place a meat patty, halves of burger bun and a sliced ring of pineapple into the pan. 
5. Grill till the meat patty is cooked through, burger bun and pineapple slightly browned.

Teriyaki sauce

• 2 tbsp mirin
• 2 tbsp cooking sake
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp corn starch
• 1 tbsp water

1. Combine all the ingredients except corn starch and water, add to a pot on low heat.
2. Stir the sauce till well mixed and almost boiling.
3. Mix corn starch and water, and add the mixture into the pot.
4. Stir till sauce thickens slightly. Set aside.

Assembly

• Once beef patty is cooked, dunk the patty into the pot of teriyaki sauce and coat thoroughly, or use a brush to coat both sides of the patty.
• Bottom half of bun - few pieces of lettuce - tomato slice - meat patty - pineapple slice - top of bottom
• Best serve hot.

 I prefer to use the "White Fish Fillet" from Cold Storage. It's not Halibut or dory or other types of fillet which look similar, it's just labelled as "White Fish Fillet". The frozen one can be found in the seafood freezer along with other types of seafood like shrimps and scallops. There's also thawed ones found at the fresh fish section. I find the texture finer and doesn't taste fishy at all, in fact, there's a slight tinge of sweetness. Besides using the whole piece of fish fillet for fish & chips, I can also cut the fillet in small pieces for fish fingers which my kiddo likes.

Fish Fillet Burger


Burger Bun

• Made using old-dough method, recipe here 
• Each bun is made with 60g dough

Breaded Fish Fillet

• Fish fillet
• Corn starch
• Egg, beaten
• Coating - Japanese panko, Nestum cereal, parmesan cheese powder (same recipe used for crispy chicken fries)

1. Coat the whole piece of fish fillet with corn starch, dust off the excess, then coat with egg and lastly cover generously with the coating mixture.
2. Heat some oil in a frying pan and pan-fry both sides of fillet till golden brown.
3. Grill halves of burger buns till slightly browned.

Homemade tartar sauce

• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
• 2 pieces cocktail gherkins, finely chopped
• 1/4 small onion, finely chopped and soaked in water for 10 mins
• 1 tsp sugar

1. Stir all ingredients together till well combined. Set aside.

Assembly

1. Bottom half of bun - few pieces of lettuce - tomato slice - fish fillet - tartar sauce - top of bottom
2. Best served hot.

Ooooh, I must say I love my homemade Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger! I cooked the beef patty to just done, it was juicy and perfect with the sweet and salty teriyaki sauce. And the tangy pineapple slice just topped it off so nicely! The burger bun was of slightly chewy texture and I really liked too!

Not forgetting the homemade iced lemon tea. I simply dunked a teabag into a cup of hot water, let the tea infuse for a few minutes; discard the tea bag, then add lots of ice, lemon juice, lemon slices and sugar syrup to taste.

I love the fish fillet burger too!! The fish was pan-fried to a perfect crispy, yet the meat texture was succulent, complemented with the tartar sauce. Yummy!

Yuzu mint soda is simply yuzu marmalade (or the Korean Citron tea), lots of ice, mint leaves and a can of club soda. Really refreshing during hot and humid weather.

The kiddo loved this fish fillet burger and finished the whole burger by himself!

It's not difficult to make gourmet burgers at home actually, most important thing is use quality ingredients and freshly prepared :)