With an indefinite end date to the MCO, once again we turn our attention to comfort food. And among all the waistline-increasing dishes, burgers are usually one of the go-to choices. Something as simple as the assemblage of meat, bun, with textural and flavourful accoutrements are one of the best ways we experience a myriad of flavours in a single bite – leading us to reach out for quick fixes from vividly-coloured, international franchises.

Though while most of us do enjoy the convenience and immediate gratification from a fast food burger, the disappointment that comes with inconsistent dishes and the accumulation of questionable fillers and mystery meat simply won’t do.

Below, we’ve put together a list of 9 restaurants in Malaysia that aren’t all necessarily burger joints – but all of them certainly know how to build a damn good burger. Whether you’re looking for something that has a truly unique combination of fillings, or are in need of an indulgent beast for Cheat Day, there’s a gourmet burger out there for anyone.

Mean Mince

Inspired by American diners and carnival food, chef-founder of Mean Mince Nik Syazmin “Min” brings U.S favourites to Malaysia with simple yet mouth-watering burgers such as the Smash Burger, the Monster Buffalo Chicken Burger, and the Meatball Sub. However, the star of the show is the MM Deep Fried Burger (see featured image) – where 125g of beef mince, caramelised onions, mozzarella and American cheddar cheese are enveloped in a special bread dough, then deep fried. The result is a deliciously sinful burger that boasts an Instagram-worthy cheese pull. Burger aficionados should also look out for The Motz burger (or The Double Motz) – a recreation of the Father of Burgers George Motz’s signature fried onion burger.

Deliveries and takeaways are available everyday except Wednesday, from 12pm – 8pm. Orders can be made via Beepit. Inquiries can also be made via WhatsApp at +6017 876 9290.

Location: 31-1, Jalan PJU 7/16a, Mutiara Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Spade’s

If you have yet to try a pork burger, then it’s high time you did – especially if it’s from Spade’s Burger. They first started out as a stall in 2013, and now have grown to having ten outlets across the country. Their specialty is – you guessed it – pork burgers with unique flavour combinations, such as the Shinobi, which combines a pork patty with smoked salmon and bonito flakes; and the Porkception, where it’s filled with a pork patty, sautéed teriyaki pork belly and teriyaki mayo. They also come up with seasonal specials, such as the Bak Chang burger and the 300 EX. To complete the porcine experience, get your burgers with a side of their juicy housemade Porkets.

Deliveries and takeaways are available daily from 11.30am – 9.30pm. Orders can be made via GrabFood. For the full menu and list of locations, visit their website here.

Fowlboys

Spicy Chicken McDeluxe who? Look no further than Fowlboys, who’s serving up Southern-style Buttermilk Fried Chicken in their burgers. Juicy, incredibly flavourful chicken thighs are sandwiched between the fluffiest potato buns, the latter bringing a touch of sweetness to enhance the overall savoury experience. For a touch of spice, the O.G Sandwich comes with spicy mayo, fowl jam and pickled japaleños, while the Motherclucker goes for an umami bomb with garlic mayo and japaleño slaw. You can choose your spice level from Neat to Xtra Hot – though we suggest treading with caution even with the ‘Hot’, as Fowlboys definitely don’t play around with their spice!

Deliveries and takeaways can be made from 11am – 8.30pm everyday. Orders can be placed on Beep, GrabFood, and Foodpanda.

Location: Kitchen Connect @ Plaza Mont’ Kiara, Courtyard Level of Block E, 2, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Ember Modern Bistro

Ember levels up the beef burger by creating a patty that strikes the perfect balance between tenderness and fat in the Argentinean Angus Beef Sandwich. Comprised of 50% brisket, 30% skirt, and 20% beef fat, it goes to show that even the simplest recipes can be elevated by getting the ingredients just right. It’s topped with cheese, shallots, and pickled cucumber to balance the rich flavours of the sandwich. Non-beef eaters will also find a tasty option in the Chicken Sandwich, where kampung chicken is deep fried to a shattering crisp, accompanied by smoky yuzu mayo, pickled radish, and a fragrant spicy kick from togarashi.

Only takeaways are available from Tuesday to Saturday, at 12.30pm – 7.30pm. Orders can be made online or via WhatsApp at +018 3232 786.

Location: 20, Jalan Wan Kadir 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.

Park Grill KL

Known for their hearty slabs of steak and refined European fare, Park Grill also serves up a mean signature burger. Two generous housemade beef patties are charred for a satisfying smokey bite, topped with melted mimolette cheese, arugula, and then finished with their special sauce. Served with triple-cooked fries, you’ll surely need a good, long nap after tucking into this gourmet burger.

Deliveries and takeaways are available daily from 12pm – 8pm. Orders can be made via WhatsApp at +6018 288 0060. The full menu can be viewed here.

Location: Ground Floor, Naza Tower, Platinum Park, Persiaran KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.

Roost KL

If chicken, beef, pork, or even fish can’t satisfy your tastebuds – why not try sinking your teeth into Roost KL’s Prawn Bao Burger? A 120g slab of prawn patty makes up the protein in this dish, topped with a housemade slaw to bring freshness and textural contrast to the burger. Complete with a side of skinny fries and a refreshing lemonade to wash everything down, you can consider your lunch or dinnertime sorted.

Deliveries and takeaways are available daily from 11.30am – 7pm. Orders can be made via Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp at 012 2090 226. Full menu can be viewed here.

Location: 69-1 Jalan Telawi Tiga, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur

The BRGR

There is no graceful nor neat way of eating a burger, and you’ll want to lay down some extra napkins if you’re planning to dig into one of the behemoths from The BRGR. You’ll be spoiled for choice with their extensive burger menu, ranging from Soft Shell Crab Burgers and the usual Beef Burgers, to Black Pepper Kambing Burger and Korean Spicy Grilled Chicken Burger. And if you really like it dirty, their Dirty Cheesy Australian Beef Burger comes drenched in a molten cheese sauce that will either leave you spent or hitting the treadmill the next day.

Deliveries and takeaways are available daily from 12pm – 10pm (last order at 9.30pm). Orders can be made via Foodpanda or GrabFood. For the full list of locations throughout Malaysia, visit their official Instagram page.

WoodFire

Continuing with the theme of enormous burgers are the giant gourmet burgers from Woodfire, who rose in popularity in Johor before recently landing in Kuala Lumpur. There’s really no skimping at this franchise, with the burger fillings threatening to spill out – beckoning you to quickly take a big bite. Highlights include the Smoked Brisket Burger which comes laced with a rich BBQ sauce, and the Gourmet Beef Burger where the beef patty is accompanied by a turkey slice, then topped with a spicy salted egg sauce.

Deliveries and takeaways are available everyday except Monday, from 11am – 8pm. Orders can be made via WhatsApp at 011 3384 3034. Check out the full menu and list of locations on their Instagram page.

myBurgerLab

Of course, we can’t forget about the OG of meat-between-charcoal-buns, myBurgerLab, who kicked off a deeper appreciation for burgers in the Malaysian burger scene since their humble beginnings. Locals flock to myBurgerLab for their exciting combinations, such as the Hangover – which includes a crispy hash brown drizzled with maple syrup; the Fat Elvis – where a beef burger is introduced to the wonders of PB&J; and  Bait & Switch – an addictive fried chicken burger that gets a spicy, tangy kick from Budu Mayo. Purists also can’t go wrong with The In-N-Out Tribute, which is a levelled up version of a double beef burger.

Deliveries and takeaways are available everyday except Monday, from 11am – 7.45pm. Check out the full menu and place your orders online here, or via GrabFood.