Biff’s Burger: Haeundae’s Best Smash Burger
I eat Korean food most days — gukbap (국밥, rice soup) for breakfast, kimbap (김밥) on the go, or whatever the ahjumma (아줌마, older lady) downstairs is cooking. But after a few weeks straight of kimchi and rice, sometimes your body just wants a burger. Not a chain. Not a food court approximation. An actual burger, made with care.
Biff’s Burger (비프스 버거) is the answer. A small counter spot tucked into the Haeundae backstreets, it’s been making rounds on Korean food platforms for its American-style smash burgers — paper-thin patties pressed hard against a screaming-hot flat-top, giving you lacy crispy edges and a juicy center. I’ve been there four times now. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
What Makes a Smash Burger Different Here
Most burger joints in Korea serve thick patties — doo-keo-un (두꺼운, thick) is often used as a selling point, like weight equals quality. Smash burgers flip that logic entirely. You take a ball of beef, slam it flat on a ripping-hot griddle, and let the crust form fast. Maximum browning. No gray band in the middle. Done in under two minutes.
It’s not a common format here — which is part of why Biff’s gets attention. They’re doing something most Korean burger spots aren’t, and they’re doing it well. The beef has a decent fat content, not dry, not greasy, and the flat-top stays hot enough that you actually get the crust instead of a steam effect. That detail matters more than it sounds. A smash burger cooked on a lukewarm griddle is just a flat burger. Biff’s doesn’t make that mistake.
What to Order
The menu is short. No decision fatigue.
- Classic Smash (클래식 스매시): Single patty, American cheese, pickles, mustard, onion, special sauce. This is the baseline. Try it first.
- Double Smash (더블 스매시): Two patties. Get this if you’re genuinely hungry. The cheese-to-meat ratio improves — the whole thing holds together better and tastes more cohesive.
- Smash Fries (스매시 프라이): Thin-cut, well-salted, served hot. Better than they need to be for a side dish.
- Combo set: Burger + fries + drink. Worth it on price — saves you around ₩2,000 versus ordering separately.
My regular order is the Double Smash with fries, skip the drink. The tap water is fine.
One thing I didn’t expect on my first visit: the bun is slightly sweet. Korean ppang (빵, bread) tends to lean that way. It works against the salty beef — honestly better than it sounds — but if you’re expecting a purely neutral brioche, adjust your expectations slightly. Not a deal-breaker. Just a detail worth knowing going in.
Prices and Practical Info
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Classic Smash | ₩12,000 |
| Double Smash | ₩15,000 |
| Smash Fries | ₩4,000 |
| Combo (burger + fries + drink) | ₩16,000–₩18,000 |
Cards accepted — Visa and Mastercard work without issue. I’ve paid by phone tap without problems. If you’re not sure how payment works in Korea, this guide breaks it down.
Hours: Roughly 11:30am–9:30pm, closed Tuesdays. Check their Instagram before heading over — hours shift occasionally, and as of early 2026, there have been a few unannounced closures around public holidays. More importantly: they close early when the beef runs out. This happened to me on a Saturday evening. Arrived at 8pm, sign on the door read jaeryo sojin (재료 소진, sold out). Go earlier on weekends — ideally before 7pm.
How to Get There
Biff’s is in the Haeridan-gil (해리단길) area of Haeundae — the strip of indie cafes and small restaurants that runs a few blocks back from the beach road. The closest subway stop is Haeundae Station (해운대역), Line 2. Take Exit 3 or 5 and walk toward the beach; it’s about a 10-minute walk from the exit.
If you haven’t spent time in that neighborhood yet, here’s a full guide to Haeridan-gil — Biff’s fits naturally into an afternoon of walking that street. For navigation, search 비프스버거 on Naver Map — Google Maps data for smaller Haeundae spots is often outdated or just wrong.
Best Time to Visit
Timing matters at Biff’s more than at most places — because they run out of food and just close. No apology, no soft cutoff. The sign goes up and that’s it.
- Weekday lunch (11:30am–1:30pm): The most relaxed window. Short or no wait, full menu available, staff less rushed. If your schedule is flexible, this is the move.
- Weekday evenings (6–8pm): Busier but manageable. Expect a 5–10 minute wait. Beef usually lasts through closing on weeknights, though it’s not guaranteed late in the week.
- Weekend afternoons (1–4pm): Peak crowds. Lines stretch onto the pavement. Still worth it — the burgers move fast — but plan to wait 15–20 minutes.
- Weekend evenings (after 7pm): High risk of jaeryo sojin (재료 소진, sold out). I’ve been turned away here once. Arrive by 6:30pm at the latest to be safe.
- Summer (July–August): Haeundae beach draws heavy tourist traffic — the whole neighborhood gets loud and congested. Biff’s is no exception. Weekday visits are significantly calmer than weekends during peak beach season.
- Tuesday: Closed. Don’t show up on a Tuesday.
Foreigner-Friendliness Checklist
- English menu: Partial — the menu board has pictures and a numbering system. No dedicated English signage, but it’s enough to order without speaking Korean.
- Card payment: Accepted — Visa, Mastercard, and phone tap (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay) all work, confirmed as of early 2026.
- Wheelchair accessible: No — the entrance sits on a narrow backstreet with a step at the door, and the interior is compact. Not suitable for wheelchair users or strollers.
- Subway distance: ~10 minutes on foot from Haeundae Station (해운대역), Line 2, Exit 3 or 5.
- Best for: Solo travelers, couples, small groups of 2–3. The space fits roughly 12 people inside — larger parties may face a wait or need to split up.
- Halal/Vegetarian: No halal certification. No vegetarian options — the menu is beef-focused throughout. Worth knowing before you make the trip.
- Language barrier: Low. Staff will mime “eat here or take away?” without needing the English words. The numbered menu and pictures handle the rest.
What I’d Tell You Before You Go
The space fits maybe 12 people inside, a few more outside when the weather cooperates. On weekend afternoons, expect a short wait — 10 to 15 minutes is common. The burgers cook fast so the line moves, but you will be standing on the pavement for a bit. In summer, that pavement gets hot. Plan accordingly.
The staff speak minimal English, but the menu board has pictures and a numbering system. Point, hold up fingers, nod. It works fine. One of the guys behind the counter will mime “eat here or take away?” even without the words. Don’t stress about communication.
Food comes wrapped in paper on a tray. Counter spot — casual, no table service, no ambiance beyond the smell of beef on a flat-top. You eat, wipe your hands, and leave feeling better than when you walked in.
If you’re spending a day at the beach, this works well as a late lunch stop. A morning at Haeundae Beach followed by a smash burger in Haeundae before the weekend crowd peaks is a solid sequence — and Biff’s is the obvious anchor for that meal.
Is It Worth It?
Yes. Plainly. The price is fair for Haeundae, the quality is consistent, and they’re not trying to do too much. Short menu. Solid execution. That’s the whole pitch.
It’s not going to change how you think about food. But when you’ve been eating Korean food for a week straight and want something familiar that isn’t a chain — Biff’s is the right call. Every time.
Last verified: April 2026 · Sources: Visit Busan, Naver Map
Prices, hours, and details change frequently. Please verify on the official website before visiting.
