Burgers Around the World

A burger, a simple meat patty in a bun, has its roots in Western culture. While minced meat patties trace back to Hamburg, Germany, it was the United States that transformed the burger into a fast-food icon in the early 20th century. From diners to drive-throughs, the burger quickly became a symbol of convenience and modern eating, shaping how people viewed quick meals.

As global brands expanded, burgers travelled across borders and entered different food cultures. In many Asian countries, the idea of a burger felt new and exciting, especially among younger generations who were open to trying something Western and trendy. Soon enough, burgers became more than just a foreign food. They became part of everyday city life (WHAT TO EAT IN VIETNAM). 

Today, burgers are no longer limited to global fast-food chains, though those outlets still draw steady crowds. Following their influence, small burger stalls began popping up, adding a local, handmade touch that appealed to people looking for something familiar yet different. 

 

By the 1990s, the burger scene took another step forward with the rise of specialty burger restaurants. Offering more choices, creative combinations, and a slightly premium feel, these outlets added a modern twist to the classic. It was a shift the younger, trend-conscious crowd readily accepted.

Fast Food Burger Outlets
The first fast-food burger outlet in the United States was White Castle, established in 1921. Famous for its small, square sliders, it became the world’s first fast-food burger chain. Attempts to expand into Asia and Europe were unsuccessful, and today the chain operates around 350 outlets, mainly in the Midwest and East Coast.

 

McDonald’s entered the fast-food burger market in 1940 and was franchised in 1955, quickly growing into a global brand known for its burgers worldwide.

 

In Malaysia, A&W arrived in 1963, introducing locals to root beer and a variety of burgers, laying the foundation for burger culture in the country. Nearly two decades later, McDonald’s opened in 1982, bringing a new wave of American fast food. The response was overwhelming, with queues stretching outside outlets, and McDonald’s burgers remain a favourite among Malaysians today (EASY CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE). 

 

In the United States, Burger King entered in 1954 as a flame-grilled alternative, followed by Wendy’s in 1969 and Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s from the 1940s. Despite this competition, McDonald’s remains the leading global fast-food burger chain.

 

McDonald’s also adapts its menu to local tastes. In Japan, prawn and pork burgers are offered; in India, vegetarian and lamb burgers; in Indonesia, spicy chicken and rendang-flavoured burgers. Bacon burgers are available only in non-halal markets. Burgers have always been the core product, supported by fries as the ideal accompaniment.

 

To stay relevant, McDonald’s regularly introduces new burger varieties, reflecting changing market trends in fast food and burger culture worldwide.

Gourmet Burgers
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the burger scene evolved with the rise of gourmet burgers. Focused entirely on premium burgers, specialty burger restaurants offered a higher-end dining experience, featuring a variety of meats such as beef, chicken, lamb, and even seafood options like prawn and soft crab.

 

Gourmet burgers also experimented with creative burger buns. Beyond the classic bun, choices included soft brioche, chewy pretzel, rustic ciabatta, multigrain, and colorful charcoal or beetroot-infused buns, adding both flavor and visual appeal. Sauces became inventive too, ranging from honey mustard and garlic aioli to chipotle mayo, truffle-infused sauces, and chef-created house blends.

 

Layers of fresh, pickled, or grilled vegetables added texture and flavor, often paired with single or double patties. These burgers were not everyday meals, but targeted diners willing to pay a premium for quality, creativity, and presentation.

 

Gourmet burgers gradually made their way onto café menus, served as standalone options or complete meals with fries, baked or mashed potatoes (MASHED POTATOES RECIPE), salads, and sometimes additional sides like sausages. Stylishly plated and visually appealing, gourmet burgers appealed to younger, trend-conscious diners seeking both flavor and a modern burger experience.

Burger Food Trucks
With the continued demand for burgers, burger food trucks have become a global trend. These mobile kitchens serve handmade burgers with a limited but well-curated menu. Their sauces are inventive, ranging from spicy and black pepper to fusion or locally inspired blends.

 

Using premium ingredients while keeping prices affordable, food trucks offer everything from basic burgers to elaborate, top-range creations. Diners can enjoy their burgers standing by the truck, on the go, or take them home.

Street Burgers
To meet growing demand, street burgers also emerged as a popular option. Street stalls, often with unique creations, built strong local followings. In Malaysia, Ramly Burger became iconic in the 1980s for its affordable and flavorful burgers. Street burgers feature inventive combinations, from egg-wrapped burgers to double-patty creations, all enhanced with distinctive sauces.

 

In Western countries, street stalls offer classic beef burgers with cheese, lettuce, and tomato, along with cheeseburgers with bacon, spicy chicken burgers, and vegan or vegetarian options like bean patties or plant-based patties. Specialty or fusion burgers are common too, such as Mexican-style burgers with jalapeños and salsa, or Mediterranean-inspired burgers with feta and tzatziki.

 

Street burger stalls have established themselves over time, with loyal customers knowing their locations. Whether on the roadside, in front of convenience stores, at food bazaars, or within restaurant spaces. Their accessibility, creativity, and affordability continue to make street burgers a staple of urban food culture.

Homemade Burgers
Homemade burgers are affordable, customisable, and can be made in many variations. For families that love burgers, the options are endless. One of the main advantages of homemade burgers is the flexibility in choosing ingredients. Burger patties can be made from 100% pure meat, which essentially makes homemade burgers a healthier choice. Less oil or butter can be used when grilling the patties and toasting the buns. Let alone, patties can be baked, fried, pan-grilled, or even cooked on a BBQ pit.

 

For a quick meal, store-bought patties and buns can be cooked and assembled at home. However, families or individuals who regularly tuck into burgers usually make their own burger patties and even bake their own buns. These can be prepared in batches and stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

 

Regular bread can also fit homemade patties, filled with varieties of vegetables or pickles, which increases both nutrition and flavour. For vegetarians, it is between patties made from potatoes, mushrooms, beans, or mixed vegetables. Buns can also be adapted for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free homemade burgers.

 

These options can be paired with mashed potatoes, soups, fresh salads, or other sides as preferred. Homemade burgers can also be customised as easy homemade burgers or creative homemade burger recipes for families and individuals. Ultimately, homemade burgers are about creating a burger meal as per liking. Simply said, make as you like and wish.