As you may have heard, Burger King Thailand recently introduced a new menu item called the "Real Cheeseburger" that features 20 slices of American cheese instead of a meat patty. As a self-professed cheese enthusiast and a lifelong lover of quirky culinary experiences, I couldn't resist getting my hands on one. It's the talk of the town, and by town, I mean the entire internet. One has to wonder, though, in a world of gastronomical delights, what prompted Burger King to serve a sandwich with 20 slices of American cheese stacked between two sesame buns, entirely sans meat. Nonetheless, my curiosity got the best of me, and, being the intrepid foodie that I am, I had to check it out and here's how it went!
First Impressions
The "burger" has caused a stir on social media, with some people expressing disbelief and others joking about needing antacids or stomach medication after eating it. Seeing it in person, it's not hard to see why!
The biggest surprise it that it's cold; it's essentially a cheese sandwich with a pile of cheese between two buns, but, unlike in the promotional photo, the cheese isn't melted!
At first glance, this "burger" challenged every expectation I've held about the beloved classic. Twenty slices of American cheese nestled neatly between two sesame seed buns doesn't exactly conjure the quintessential image of a juicy cheeseburger. Yet, the sight is an odd spectacle that begs for a tasting. So I dove in!
First Tasting!
The first bite was an explosion - not of flavors, but of textures. The softness of the bun met with the overwhelming taste of the cheese, but without a patty or any other elements, the absence of diverse textures felt sorely missed.
A crucial part of the joy of biting into a burger lies in the layers of different components, which was unfortunately lacking here. As for the taste, it was nothing short of a sodium overload. Each mouthful was rich with a salty cheesiness that quickly went from novel to overpowering.
A blanket of cheese alone might sound delectable in theory, but in practice, the lack of balance became evident. The absence of a savory, meaty patty and tangy pickles, or even a drizzle of sauce to cut through the cheese, left much to be desired.
I decided to open up the burger and taste an individual slice of cold cheese, and I have to say - it was pretty good! I read on social media that many Thais have been buying these burgers just for the cheese as, at 109baht per burger, it's darn cheap. The cheese is plenty flavorful and can be kept in the fridge and used in many other dishes.
Verdict?
In the end, Burger King Thailand's "Real Cheeseburger" comes across as more of a daring dare than a viable menu offering, a gastronomic adventure perhaps meant for the thrill-seekers among us rather than the average diner.
There's a good chance that you'll find it, as journalist Eric Surbano concisely put it, "revolting," unless, of course, a meatless stack of overindulgent cheese is your idea of a meal.
If you're on the hunt for a novelty dining experience, this audacious cheese-only burger might be a fun one-time try. But if you're looking for a flavorful and balanced burger, I suggest you look elsewhere. Regardless, I applaud Burger King for stirring up the conversation with this unique culinary feat, even if the execution was less than stellar.
Just like any culinary adventure, it's about the journey, not just the destination, right?
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