With a “No Good, No Pay” policy and a crowd of people huddled around the tent, there was no way I could pass up the opportunity to taste this version of a Chinese Hamburger.
Yangshuo, China is a hugely popular tourist destination, both for Chinese people from around the country and foreigners. The clientele waiting in line were mostly Chinese, leading me to believe that they served a delicious product, or that their return policy was just too good to pass by.
I rarely eat burgers, unless of course I am assured beforehand that it will be out of this world – Burger Hut in Nairobi, Kenya as Africa’s best burger is an example of a burger I’ll go out of my way to eat.
The crew making the Chinese Hamburgers were frantically working to handle the heavy stream of afternoon burger traffic. They worked at a brisk pace, silently playing their small part in the amalgamation process.
The first thing my eyes focused on was the brown seared hunk of beef resting in a plastic tub on the counter. It looked like a pure marinated tender lump of flesh just patiently waiting its turn to be sliced up and served.
There were waves of fragrant wind bring forth the always pleasing aromas of soy sauce, sesame oil, and fresh herbs that kept my nostrils alert and ready while I stood in line.
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The exterior bread of the Chinese Hamburger was a thin cracker like pita that was cooked on the side of a clay oven.
The first ingredient that went into the pita cracker was a transparent blue-green spiced up noodle salad. It looked a little bizarre, so I was excited to see exactly how it tasted.
Next when a few scoops of the spicy marinated boneless beef. It was sitting in a liquid dressing of chili oil, soy sauce and fresh sesame seeds.
Lastly, she added a selection of cilantro, green onions, Chinese pickled green beans and a good sized dabble of chili sauce (as I ordered).
The finished product was a lot more like a bulging Mexican taco than a traditional hamburger.
It could easily be handled in a single palm and the fillings were bursting out the top.
Though the Blacksmith Beef was a bit on the greasy side, its sauce spread all over the other ingredients and coated the bread with lip licking flavor. The meat was tender and flaky and the fusion of ingredients complimented each other precisely.
The noodles had the consistency of fresh mozzarella cheese but with a pungent toasted sesame flavor.
The Verdict of the Yangshuo Chinese Hamburger
At a price of a whopping 10 CNY (only $1.56, but that’s quite pricey for China), I was a little disappointed with the small size, but the quality of the slices of beef did make up for it.
In the end I would say that it was indeed scrumptious and a platter of them would make a wonderful plate of party hors d’oeuvres.
I didn’t make any complaints and I didn’t see anyone attempting to use the “No Good, No Pay” policy.
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Claire
11 years ago
Hmmm…..maybe they just didn’t know to term it a “slider?” Haha, but it looks pretty delicious actually!
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Would have been cool if they had named it “Chinese Sliders!” Really delicious!
Jake
11 years ago
Hey Mark– its me from way back in Maria Gorettis in Jogja – -and then random bump into in KL bookstore, haha, u ever been to West Africa — Niger, Cameroon and the like? if so, try the meat there and report — best in the world in my humble opinion!
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Hey Jake, thanks for the comment. I’ve never been to West Africa, it’s an area I would love to visit though in the future. Can’t wait to try the meat there. How are you, where are you living in West African these days?
Gerard ~ GQ trippin
11 years ago
You can bring that over here to the states and turn it into a successful Chinese taco truck. I can see it already. Blacksmith ‘Burgers’ to-go. That no good, no pay policy would’ve sold me too.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
That’s a pretty good idea!
Nomadic Samuel
11 years ago
I probably would have turned that into an expensive meal eating 5 or more…LOL
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
I had to refrain from doing that too…and luckily I found some cheaper rice immediately following!
Jade Johnston – OurOyster.com
11 years ago
What an interesting marketing concept! And it looks delicious mmmmm Im ready for lunch
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Thanks Jade – they are definitely business savvy with their marketing!
2summers
11 years ago
That’s the most colorful ‘burger’ I’ve never seen. Beautifully shot and looks delicious.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Thanks!
David
11 years ago
Ha, I remember seeing that sign in Yangshuo, but due to the long line I decided to check it out later, but then never ended up going back. Glad I finally know what they are!
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
That was the same thing I did – saw it a few times and decided to come back later…but finally went back on my second to last day in Yangshuo! It was way too small (especially for the price) but definitely worth a sample!
Natalie
11 years ago
I would not have any qualms about eating six of them. They look scrummy.
Jarmo
11 years ago
Yeah, that looks pretty damn delicious, thou just from the photo I wouldn’t have guessed it is a burger 😉
Juno
11 years ago
Man, that looks way too good!!! I mean I like western style burgers but this is amazing! Eeeek, can’t wait!
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Take something Western and add some Asian to it and it’s amazing!
Caanan @ No Vacation Required
11 years ago
That looks amazing. So does your site redesign. 🙂
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Ahh Thanks Caanan!
50+ and on the Run
11 years ago
Not eating much beef these days, but that looks pretty good!
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
They just added a few slices of beef to the sandwich and it sure was tasty!
Turtle
11 years ago
That looks delicious! You’re right – you could probably eat ten of them!! 🙂
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Yes!!!