Woodfire Gourmet Burger first ignited its grills in Johor Bahru back in 2017. At last count, the brand has spread its flame to encompass a remarkable 24 branches across Malaysia and Indonesia. This popular burger joint has established its presence in 5 states in Malaysia – Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor. Although my friend had sung its praises to me some time ago, it was only recently that I had the time to try it.
Woodfire Gourmet Burger (TTDI Branch) @ The Plaza, TTDI
Upon entering TTDI Plaza, the presence of Woodfire Gourmet Burger is impossible to miss, especially since most of the other shops were closed at the time of my visit. This burger joint is situated at the opposite end of Hero Supermarket.
Despite its relatively small footprint within The Plaza, it actually stood out like a Christmas tree light, standing out amidst the quiet surroundings. The full glass facade not only allowed natural light to flood the interior but also created an illusion of spaciousness. For those who prefer dining al fresco, there were five to six tables positioned just outside the shop, replicating the hawker-style dining, albeit with the comfort of indoor seating.
One thing though, Woodfire Gourmet Burger’s red signboard can easily be mistaken for a pizza joint. The bright red signage seemed to trigger a subconscious association with pizza places, perhaps a testament to the enduring influence of Pizza Hut advertisements on our collective psyche.
The center atrium of The Plaza looked interesting despite the rather subdued and forlorn feel of the surroundings. What caught my eye was the glass ceiling, a feature that created a sense of space and provided a peek of the sky above. It struck me as a great location for makan haunts. The natural light that streaks into the building via the glass ceiling lends the place a nice feel. There’s an undeniable charm to basking in the warm glow of sunlight (or moonlight), something that artificial lighting simply can’t replicate.
Woodfire Gourmet Burger was the sole beacon of activity in this otherwise deserted rows of shops. However, it was evident that their burgers held a magnetic appeal, as patrons flowed in and out ceaselessly during my visit.
The interior was simple, with the menu in its usual position. There was a “Waiting Time” sign, which informs diners about the anticipated 25-minute wait for all burger orders. My experience seemed to indicate that this estimated time was adhered to diligently, as all our orders arrived promptly within the specified timeframe.
One unique touch at WoodFire Gourmet Burger was the provision of plastic gloves for diners. This thoughtful addition was particularly useful, considering that indulging in their burgers could lead to quite a messy affair. While the gloves served their purpose effectively, it’s worth noting the environmental implications of such single-use items.
The Food
Woodfire Gourmet Burger’s menu lives up to its name, offering a straightforward dining experience centered around the star of the show: burgers. While their primary focus is on burgers, it’s interesting to note that they have some unexpected options on the menu, such as smoked lamb rib, smoked chicken platter, and smoked brisket platter.
However, for our inaugural visit, we opted to stay true to the core offerings and sampled their burgers, complemented by a milkshake, butter soda, and a side order of coney fries.
Mushroom Burger – RM22.90
The mushroom burger at Woodfire Gourmet Burger provides the option of a beef or chicken patty, and for our selection, we opted for the beef patty. As the name suggests, the spotlight of this burger is undeniably on the mushrooms.
Alongside the usual vegetables, this burger is crowned with sautéed hash browns. Most of us like potatoes. Potatoes have an incredible ability to adapt to various flavours, making them a versatile ingredient in many dishes. The hash browns did contribute to the overall taste, but I’ve had mushroom burgers that have left a stronger impression.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t discern the specific type of mushrooms used in the burger; however, I thought I detected a hint of shiitake. To have a full shiitake burger I think might not go down well with everyone. Personally, I am not a fan of shiitake mushrooms because of their signature smell. I tend to lean more toward fully portobello mushroom burgers. Nevertheless, the sauce complemented the burger nicely, enhancing the overall burger experience. I would rate this mushroom burger a 7 out of 10.
Smoked Burger (Beef) – RM23.90
The composition of Woodfire Gourmet Burger’s Smoked Burger is a delightful medley of flavours and textures, featuring either a beef or chicken patty, cheese, fried onions, pickles, beef bacon, and BBQ sauce. The beef patty was juicy enough and harmonized seamlessly with the BBQ sauce. Your taste buds are in for a delightful dance. The beef bacon, tender in its execution, introduced an extra layer of oomph to the burger.
Then there were the fried onions, a culinary choice that seldom goes astray. Their aromatic presence never fails to elevate the overall appeal of a dish. The addition of pickles in the burger completed the flavour spectrum, contributing occasional bursts of sourness that complemented perfectly the sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements in each bite.
One standout feature was the burger bun, which impressively maintained its structural integrity throughout the devouring process. For those particular about how well a burger bun holds up against the deluge of juices and sauce, Woodfire Gourmet Burger’s buns exhibited admirable resilience.
In summation, this burger promises a fun, flavour-packed journey that is sure to satisfy the cravings of most beef burger enthusiasts. I would confidently rate this burger an 8.5 out of 10.
Stuffed Cheese Burger (Beef) – RM19.90
Now, onto the stuffed cheeseburger, a burger creation composed of a beef patty, cheese, turkey slice, grilled onions, and coney sauce.
Starting with the sturdy bun, it sets the stage for excellence. The beef patty, as before, was juicy, delivering a burst of flavour with every bite. The turkey slice, impressively, retained its tenderness and wasn’t chewy. However, what truly made this burger better than your average cheeseburger, particularly in the eyes of my sister, was the grilled onions. Their slightly caramelized sweetness introduced a delightful dimension, complementing the burger with a pleasant sweet note that harmonized perfectly with the faintly tangy coney sauce.
In my book, a good burger should be a symphony of flavours, teasing the taste buds with sweet, sour, and salty sensations, all while maintaining a satisfying crunch from the vegetables. Regrettably, many burgers fall short, often substituting vegetables with coleslaw or inferior options. This burger, on the other hand, effortlessly checked all the right boxes, although it leaned slightly on the sweeter side due to the coney sauce.
The stuffed cheeseburger may not claim the title of the best cheeseburger I’ve ever indulged in, but it unquestionably earns a spot among those that make the grade. The beef patty’s quality, in particular, played a pivotal role in this distinction. After all, achieving an outstanding cheeseburger requires genuine beef to complement the creamy richness of the cheese, and Woodfire’s coney sauce was the perfect finishing touch. I would confidently rate this burger an 8 out of 10.
BBQ Burger (Beef) – RM22.90
I also had the opportunity to savour Woodfire Gourmet Burger’s BBQ Burger, featuring a beef patty. This delectable creation included a beef or chicken patty, a sunny side-up egg, cheese, fried onions, pickles, and BBQ sauce. In comparison to the Smoked Burger, the key distinction was the absence of beef bacon, replaced instead by a sunny side-up egg.
Much like its Smoked Burger counterpart, this BBQ Burger held its own in terms of flavour and satisfaction. The harmonious blend of ingredients, from the beef patty to the creamy egg, crispy fried onions, and tangy pickles, all tied together by the rich BBQ sauce, offered a mouthwatering experience that was equally as delightful.
Coney Fries – RM13.90
The coney fries were served with a generous helping of coney sauce. As I mentioned earlier, potatoes have an innate ability to complement a wide range of flavours, and this particular sweet, sour, and spicy coney sauce was no exception. It’s the kind of sauce that could easily make diners want to lick their fingers clean because you can’t really go wrong with such a combination of tastes. The upside is you actually get discernible minced beef pieces in the sauce.
One minor point to mention is that the sauce leaned a tad too heavily on the sweet side for my personal preference. Nevertheless, it still makes for a delectable snack, especially if you’re settling in to watch your favourite movie.
The Drinks: Butter Soda – RM6.90; Woodfire Milkshake (Vanilla Oreo) – RM16.90
The Butter Soda, also sometimes referred to as Butter Beer, was an entirely novel experience for me. Initially, when I placed the order, I anticipated a simple concoction of soda with a touch of butter. However, my first sip unveiled an unexpected twist – there was Sprite mixed in as well. This unique beverage intrigued me because of the fusion of fizz and buttery essence. The aroma and taste of butter gave it an intriguing quality, reminiscent of liquid ice cream or even popcorn, which, I must admit, felt rather unconventional. However, it’s worth noting that the sweetness of the Butter Soda was quite pronounced.
On the other hand, the Vanilla Oreo Milkshake fell somewhere in the middle for me. Having previously savoured the exceptional milkshakes at Five Guys, I found it challenging for other milkshakes to measure up. Woodfire Gourmet Burger’s version of Vanilla Oreo Milkshake, unfortunately, had a slightly diluted feel to it. While the chocolate elements did mask it to some extent, the disparity was discernible.
Verdict
By the time we left, the place had filled up. We chose to dine at the tables along the corridor outside the restaurant. It was surprisingly comfortable because we could feel the breeze ever so often, and it was thanks to the clever design of the triangular atrium. This unique shape allowed hallways to converge at the center, facilitating the flow of wind from various directions and creating a natural cooling effect. Of course, the cloudy weather that day also played a part in enhancing the overall comfort.
By the time we finished our meal, the tables had filled up, and it was evident that Woodfire Gourmet Burger was a popular choice, with a steady stream of people arriving to pick up their orders.
Overall, I would say that Woodfire Gourmet Burger is a good place for burger fans who want their burger fix.
Check out other food in Kuala Lumpur:
- Khan’s Indian Restaurant @ The Sphere, Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur
- Naughty Babe Dirty Duck @ Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur
- Great Food and Hangout Spot at Snitch by The Thieves @ The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur
My Rating
80%: Ambiance
75%: Price (value for money)
85%: Taste
80%: Location
80%: Service
80%: Overall Rating
Opening Hours
Open from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Tue – Thu & Sat – Sun
Open from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Fri
Closed on Mondays
One Response
I don’t typically read blogs, but your writing is so santai that it piqued my interest. Loved the review!