PaPa’s Burger

“Most street food in Korea consists of fish cake and tteokbokki, so I decided to start my business with the uncommon street food, the burger,” explained Kung Bok Jang. Opening a restaurant in Damyang five months ago, Jang started operating a food truck in his prospective neighborhood of Pungam in July. The name “PaPa’s Burger” was chosen because Jang’s wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy last year.

Located next to the Bamboo Forest in Damyang, the actual restaurant is small and unique. The interior is very American-inspired and was developed by Jang himself. The menu has a few simple choices, from the Basic Burger to the Papa’s Burger. The burgers consist of a mixed beef and pork patty, grilled onions, tomato, pickles, lettuce, two white buns and different sauces to top it off, as well as other ingredients like cheese or bacon.

“I want to make a burger with abundant materials,” said Jang. “Actually, I planned to open the restaurant in Gwangju, but I could not afford the rental fee and I was afraid of being unfaithful to the customer because of the fees. So I went to Damyang.”

He decided to open the food truck in Gwangju after his business in the Damyang location did well. He designed the truck himself. “I copied after the foreign food truck model, which looks different from other trucks in Korea.”

He offers a few lawn chairs on which to sit, but the meal can be enjoyed while standing or taken out to the nearest park bench.

“I always ask people how they liked our burgers or why they left their food whenever they visit my food truck. Foreign customers have visited before and they really enjoy my burger, while some locals only leave food if they are full or don’t like certain ingredients, like the pickle,” said Jang. “Overall, most Koreans who have visited my truck have an interest in its novelty.”

Drinks can cost 2,000 won for a soda and cider, 2,500 won for an Americano or  3,000 to 4,500 won for select beers. A Mama’s Burger is 3,500 Won, the Papa’s Burger is 4,500 won and Potato Fries are 2,000 won.

PaPa’s Burger Food Truck is parked on the south side of the Pungam Reservoir’s parking lot adjacent to the Pungam II neighborhood and Kumdam Mountain. Operating hours are 8:30pm~11:00pm, or earlier if the burgers are sold out. The truck is closed on rainy days.

For more information, please call 010-9396-2030.