Quick honest review of What the Burger (왓더버거) in Cheongyang — a Korean burger chain built around char-grilled patties that just opened a new branch here. Skip to the verdict at the bottom if you’re in a hurry, but here’s the short version: the whole shrimp burger with wasabi sauce is genuinely good, the parking is huge, prices are fair, and if you’re anywhere near Cheongyang, it’s worth stopping.
Four of us went around noon on August 9th. Brand new location. The place was spotless in that just-opened way where even the chairs look like they haven’t been sat in yet.
What is What the Burger?
It’s a Korean fast-casual burger chain with one main angle: 직화 (jikhwa) — char-grilling over direct open flame.
Most Korean fast food burgers are fine but forgettable. Thin patty, standard sauce, done. What the Burger leans into actual grill flavor — visible char marks, smoke in the aftertaste, something that tastes like it hit a real heat source instead of a flat iron. The standout item is the Tong-Saeu Burger (통새우버거): tong means “whole,” saeu means “shrimp.” Not a ground shrimp cake. Not a processed patty. Whole shrimp, battered and fried, stacked into the burger. That detail matters.
The chain has been expanding into mid-size cities and counties across Korea. Seoul tourists won’t run into it in Myeongdong, but if you’re doing a road trip through the provinces, you’ll start seeing the red-and-white signage.
Their mascot, the “Jikhwa Ranger” (왓더레인저), is plastered on the menu board outside — a cartoon character that feels like a Korean fast food brand trying very hard to be fun. It lands. The vibe is playful without being annoying.
Getting There
Cheongyang (청양) is a small county in South Chungcheong Province — about two hours south of Seoul by car. Most foreigners won’t have it on their itinerary, and honestly that’s fair. It’s a rural, agricultural area. What it’s known for: Cheongyang peppers (청양고추), the seriously spicy chili variety that shows up in Korean spicy dishes everywhere. The countryside around town is rice paddies, small mountains, local farms.
The What the Burger is on Munhwa-yesul-ro, directly across from Hanaro Mart — the Korean agricultural cooperative supermarket chain. Think of it as a rural all-purpose grocery store where farmers and locals shop. If you’re in the area doing a Hanaro run, the burger spot is literally across the street. Convenient combo.
From central Cheongyang: five-minute drive.
From Gongju: about 40 minutes.
From Boryeong: around 35 minutes.
From Seoul: two-plus hours — you’re not making the trip just for this.
Parking is huge. The lot is wide, well-organized, and fits plenty of cars. In a small county town, that’s not nothing.
The Interior
Red and white checkered. Classic fast food palette, clean execution. Booths along the walls, tables in the middle, decent light. Nothing surprising, but nothing uncomfortable.
The place felt fresh in a genuine way — not just “cleaned for lunch rush” fresh, but “this just opened and we haven’t broken anything yet” fresh. Seats were unworn. Floors were clean. The kind of condition that slowly fades after six months of operation.
Ordering is fully kiosk-based. No counter to walk up to and talk to someone.
The screen opens with “어디서 드실건가요?” — just “dining in or takeout?” Tap the right option and you’re into the menu. Every item has a photo. If you can’t read Korean, you’re still totally fine: tap the picture, confirm the quantity, pay, and pick up when your number is called.
What I Ordered
Two Jikhwa Tong-Saeu Burger Sets (직화 통새우버거 세트) — whole shrimp burger, medium fries, small Coke each.
One Jikhwa Tong-Saeu & Bulgogi Duo Set (직화통새&불고기 듀오세트) — one shrimp burger and one bulgogi burger sharing a set, with a larger Coke.
Total: 39,500 KRW (~$29 USD) for four people. Call it 9,900 KRW (~$7.30) per person, drinks and fries included. For a sit-down fast-casual meal in 2026 Korea, that’s solid value.
Jikhwa Tong-Saeu Burger (직화 통새우버거)
Okay, this is the one.
The whole shrimp thing works better than it sounds. You get actual shrimp — battered, fried, crispy on the outside, plump inside. Cut it in half and you see the cross-section clearly: shrimp on top, a fried patty underneath, lettuce, bun. Real layers.
The sauce is where it got interesting. There’s a wasabi note in there. Not aggressive wasabi, not the kind that makes your eyes water — just enough brightness and heat to cut through the fried components and lift the whole burger. It surprised me. Without that sauce this would be a good shrimp burger. With it, it’s actually memorable.
Tbh, I wasn’t expecting much from a chain shrimp burger. This one landed above expectations.
Jikhwa Bulgogi Burger (직화 불고기버거)
Bulgogi (불고기) is Korean marinated beef — soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, a little sweetness. The jikhwa treatment means the patty goes over open flame, so you get char marks and actual grill flavor on top of the bulgogi seasoning.
That combination works. The sweetness from the marinade plays off the smoky char. Visible grill marks. Good structure to the patty.
Honest take: it’s a solid bulgogi burger. Clearly better than a major chain fast food version. But the shrimp burger is the main act here — the bulgogi is a reliable supporting role. In the duo set, where you get one of each, the pairing makes sense. If you have to pick just one, get the shrimp.
Stuff Tourists Should Know
English menu? No. But the kiosk is photo-based, so you don’t need to read anything. Just tap and pay.
Cards? Almost certainly yes — Korean chains are fully card-friendly, foreign Visa and Mastercard work fine. Bring cash anyway as a backup in rural areas.
Tips? Korea doesn’t do tips. Don’t leave money on the table; it just confuses the staff.
Vegetarian options? Limited. This is a meat-and-shrimp burger chain. Not the move for vegetarians.
Halal or kosher? No certifications.
Spicy? The wasabi sauce in the shrimp burger has mild heat. Nothing that’ll bother most people. If you have a low spice tolerance, ask to order without sauce — point to the sauce on the kiosk screen and tap the “remove” option if it appears.
Groups? Fine. We were four people, no issues. Tables can be pulled together in the open floor plan.
Is Cheongyang itself worth visiting? If you’re doing a South Chungcheong road trip — Gongju, Boryeong Mud Festival area, Danyang — Cheongyang is a natural pass-through. The pepper festival in October draws some visitors. It’s a genuine Korean rural county, not a tourist circuit stop.
For a different meal in Cheongyang, our Miyeon Yangkkochi Maratang in Cheongyang: Honest Review covers lamb skewers and malatang.
The Verdict
Should you go?
If you’re in Cheongyang or passing through — yes. The shrimp burger with wasabi sauce is one of the better fast-casual options I’ve had at a Korean chain in a while. Prices are fair, parking is easy, the place is clean.
If you’re in Cheongyang for the first time with limited meals — eat local first. Try doenjang jjigae at a neighborhood restaurant, or find somewhere using actual Cheongyang peppers in the food. Come to What the Burger on a second stop or if the local options aren’t working out.
If you’re in Seoul looking for a reason to make the trip — no. This isn’t a destination burger. Come if you’re already here.
Would I go back? Yeah. The shrimp burger earned it.
One thing that stayed with me: you’re standing in the parking lot, burger in hand, and in the background there’s just rice paddies and a mountain ridge. You’re eating a wasabi shrimp burger from a cheerful red-and-white chain restaurant while looking out at completely rural Korean countryside. It doesn’t make sense, and somehow it’s exactly right.
FAQ
Where is What the Burger Cheongyang located?
It’s at 83 Munhwa-yesul-ro, Cheongyang-eup — directly across from Hanaro Mart. Two-story white-and-black building with a red sign. Hard to miss.
How much does it cost per person at What the Burger?
We paid 39,500 KRW (~$29 USD) for four people including sets with fries and drinks — roughly 9,900 KRW (~$7.30) per person. Reasonable for a burger-plus-sides meal.
Is there parking at What the Burger Cheongyang?
Yes — the parking lot is genuinely spacious. No squeezing in, no circling. One of the better-parked lunch spots in the area.
Do they have English menus at What the Burger?
No English menu, but the self-order kiosk displays photos of every item. Just tap what looks good and pay. Zero language skill required.
What should I order at What the Burger?
The Jikhwa Tong-Saeu Burger (직화 통새우버거) — whole shrimp, char-grilled, with a wasabi-forward sauce. That’s the signature item and the reason to come.
Is What the Burger kid-friendly?
Yes. Casual fast food setup, wide tables, nothing fussy. Kids will be comfortable.
