Tasting Edward Lee x Mom’s Touch: Korean-Style Burgers You Can’t Miss
Tasting Edward Lee x Mom’s Touch: Korean-Style Burgers You Can’t Miss
If you’re planning a trip to South Korea and love trying local fast food with a twist, here’s something you don’t want to miss: a chance to try food designed by renowned Korean-American chef Edward Lee, without needing a reservation or fine-dining budget. Mom’s Touch, a popular Korean fried chicken and burger chain, recently launched a collaboration with the chef, and I had the chance to try it from the comfort of my hotel.
Spoiler: It was unexpectedly good.
Where Fine Dining Meets Fast Food
Chef Edward Lee is a familiar name in the culinary world, known for blending global fine dining techniques with Korean ingredients. When I saw that he collaborated with Mom’s Touch to create a new burger, I was immediately curious. The collaboration is built around enhancing their beloved “Thigh Burger” — which already has a cult following — with richer, deeper flavors and premium ingredients.
The concept is exciting: gourmet-inspired burgers available nationwide through fast food outlets. No need to make a reservation at a high-end restaurant. You can simply walk into any Mom’s Touch branch in Korea — or order via delivery, as I did — and try something from a celebrity chef. That’s the beauty of this collaboration.
What I Ordered
- Edward Lee’s Signature Thigh Burger
- Big Thigh Boneless Max Chicken
- Spicy “Bul-Bul-Bul-Bul” Thigh Burger
I originally planned to visit a store in person, but convenience won over, so I ordered them via a Korean delivery app. Even with the slight compromise in texture due to delivery, the flavor stood out.
Big Thigh Boneless Max Chicken – Sweet, Spicy, and Addictive
Let’s start with the chicken. The Big Thigh Boneless Max Chicken featured large, juicy chunks of boneless thigh meat. The coating had lost a bit of its crispiness during delivery, but the flavor made up for it. It was a perfect balance of sweet and mildly spicy, almost like a soy-based glaze with a hint of gochujang (Korean chili paste).
What stood out was the crunchy peanut topping, which added nuttiness and great texture. It was served with a side of spicy cheese mayo dipping sauce, which was creamy, tangy, and just spicy enough to make you want more.
I usually get tired of overly sweet or spicy chicken, but this one had just the right amount of balance. I kept eating and didn’t feel overwhelmed. It would probably taste even better fresh at the store, but as a delivery option, it was still impressive.
Edward Lee Signature Burger – A Korean Burger, Reimagined
This was the one I was most excited for — Edward Lee’s take on the iconic Mom’s Touch Thigh Burger. And it did not disappoint.
The burger was thick and heavy in the best way. The chicken patty was moist, tender, and juicy, just like the classic Thigh Burger, but with extra layers of flavor. I noticed more cheese, a slightly smoky flavor, and a sauce that felt richer and more complex.
If I had to describe the taste in a word: gourmet-ish. It still felt like fast food, but elevated. More Western in flavor compared to the usual Korean fast-food style, and definitely a step above typical chicken burgers.
I tried it again the next morning after reheating, and although the crispiness was mostly gone, the chicken remained flavorful and soft.
Bul-Bul-Bul-Bul Thigh Burger – Spicy, but Not Intense
Let’s talk about the “Bul-Bul-Bul-Bul” burger — the name alone made me nervous. The wrapper even said something like “stomach-destroying spicy flavor,” which sounded like a challenge I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
Luckily, the reality was less dramatic. The burger was spicy but manageable, with a sauce that reminded me of the old-school Korean fire skewers (불닭깍치). There was a clear sweet-and-spicy balance, and on top of the spicy sauce, they added a refreshing mayo-pickle sauce that cut through the heat and added a creamy tang.
It’s one of those burgers that makes your mouth tingle but leaves you wanting another bite.
A Must-Try for Culinary Travelers
If you’re visiting Korea and want to experience something local yet unexpected, I highly recommend trying the Edward Lee x Mom’s Touch collaboration. It’s not just fast food — it’s a glimpse into how Korean cuisine continues to innovate and cross boundaries.
You don’t have to break the bank to try something from a top chef. Just walk into a Mom’s Touch (they’re everywhere in Korea), or order delivery from your hotel. Whether you’re into Korean-style chicken, fusion burgers, or just curious about local food trends, this is definitely worth putting on your food itinerary.
Final Thoughts
- Portion Size: Enough for two people to share for a full meal
- Spice Level: Medium (manageable for most)
- Texture: Better fresh, but still solid via delivery
- Favorites: The chicken + spicy cheese mayo combo & the Edward Lee burger
- Would I eat again? Absolutely.
In Summary: Try It If You...
- Love trying local food with a twist
- Are curious about celebrity chef collaborations
- Want something affordable, unique, and satisfying
- Need a break from traditional Korean BBQ or stews
Don’t leave Korea without trying it — even fast food here has a story to tell.
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