Please welcome the birth of gourmet burgers hype in Jakarta --if you haven't heard already-- Three Buns - Burger and Heads. I guess I was lucky enough to go there on their very first day of opening (hey, free fries worth 35k + dessert voucher!), because until now the hype hasn't recede anywhere close. I was acting like such a hipster-foodie stalker on their Instagram (@burgerandheads), and I just couldn't resist the temptation.

THE BURGERS.

I'd like to get straight to the point. After all you we are all curious about their gourmet burgers. Three Buns' menu is carefully crafted by Chef Adam Penney, a veteran from UK also known as the man behind London’s ‘Patty & Bun’–a burger restaurant described by Time Out as having a reputation for London’s finest burgers. What he brings to Jakarta is something quite new for us, something that demonstrates his passion and talent as a result of years of research in crafting the perfect burger.

What differ gourmet burgers from your typical fast-food burgers are the quality of ingredients. Three Buns uses the finest Australian Brahman beef, bespoke artisan buns, and homemade slow-cooked sauces. Their house fries is twice cooked, imported hand-cut potatoes, served with fresh homemade rosemary salt (very recommended, BTW). They only have 6 kinds of burger, priced between IDR 95k - IDR 125k.

I want you to see its look before you're being judgemental about the price:

Burger on the left: BURNING MAN (IDR 110k) - Prime 150g beef patty, topped with cheese, roasted jalapeño relish, hot ketchup & dashi mayo, a Japanese mayonnaise made with shaved bonito and seaweed kombu.Burger on the right: RAMBO (IDR 120k)… — Burger on the left: **BURNING MAN (IDR 110k)** - Prime 150g beef patty, topped with cheese, roasted jalapeño relish, hot ketchup & *dashi* mayo, a Japanese mayonnaise made with shaved bonito and seaweed kombu.
Burger on the right: **RAMBO (IDR 120k)** - Superior 150g lamb patty, feta, green chilli, eggplant pickle & cumin aioli.

Let's zoom in a bit so you can actually try to identify which one's which:

And what's happening on the middle part of the burger, you say? I'll tell you what: perfectly pink patty, cooked precisely to medium unless otherwise requested. Their menu also states that they have it in "PROTEIN STYLE" which means the patty & garnishes are wrapped in a lettuce instead of a bun --which I also believe is unpopular because who in their right mind would trade artisan bun with vegetables, right? Riiiiight.

So how did it go? Between BURNING MAN & RAMBO, patty-wise, I choose their beef patty. Don't get me wrong, the lamb patty was super tender, even too tender to my liking and I like my patty to be a bit chewy, meaty, if you know what I mean. Flavor-wise, there's just something about the Burning Man's hot sauce that's different from any other sauce I've ever eaten, and I like it. On the other hand, Rambo's green chili, for me? Not so much. On this round I have to say BURNING MAN wins.

FOUR FLOORS (IDR 125k) - Double prime 100g beef patties, double cheese, triple onions, lettuce, pickles, ketchup & den miso mayo. Never actually tried because every single time I went there they're always running out of it. — **FOUR FLOORS (IDR 125k)** - Double prime 100g beef patties, double cheese, triple onions, lettuce, pickles, ketchup & den miso mayo. Never actually tried because every single time I went there they're always running out of it.

On my 2nd visit to Three Buns I was representing Hans from Eatandtreats who couldn't make it to the burger-tasting, and luckily we got to sample each of the burgers. My conclusion of the night was that, the burgers doesn't look photogenic when taken at night, unless you are professional photographer who brings an extra pack of flash and separate reflector to handle the impossible lighting.

Burger on the left: THE ROOTS (IDR 95k) - The only option of vegetarian burger containing deep-fried seasonal vegetables such as zucchini and sweet potato, cheese fritter, coleslaw, lettuce, pickles, hot sauce & mayo.Burger on the right: BABY HU… — Burger on the left: **THE ROOTS (IDR 95k)** - The only option of vegetarian burger containing deep-fried seasonal vegetables such as zucchini and sweet potato, cheese fritter, coleslaw, lettuce, pickles, hot sauce & mayo.
Burger on the right: **BABY HUEY (IDR 95k)** - Three Buns' classic cheeseburger with prime 150g beef patty, cheese, slow cooked ketchup, smoky mustard and paprika mayo.
Sides are **House Fries (IDR 35k)** and **Wing-Its (IDR 55k)** - Crispy, fall o the bone twice cooked chicken wings, hot sauce, scallions & smoky BBQ sauce. Both are really great accompaniment to the burgers.

I was dying out of curiosity to try HONKY TONK (IDR 100k), patty made from Soya milk fried chicken, topped with coleslaw, lettuce, hot sauce & den miso mayo. Also on the side is a spoon of LL KOOL SLAW (IDR 45k), shredded tangy salad. Although t… — I was dying out of curiosity to try **HONKY TONK (IDR 100k)**, patty made from Soya milk fried chicken, topped with coleslaw, lettuce, hot sauce & den miso mayo. Also on the side is a spoon of **LL KOOL SLAW (IDR 45k),** shredded tangy salad. Although the presentation was too messy, the meat was very juicy but I guess I'm not a big fan of coleslaw so I better opt for the other beef patty burgers.

The ‘Naughty Fries’ (IDR 45k) – twice cooked, hand cut potatoes smothered in a gojuchang (the Korean condiment rich with spicy, umami flavor) béarnaise and beef chilli. Delicious! — **The ‘Naughty Fries’ (IDR 45k)** – twice cooked, hand cut potatoes smothered in a gojuchang (the Korean condiment rich with spicy, umami flavor) béarnaise and beef chilli. Delicious!

End the meal with individual dessert pots with a choice of 'Lemon Posset’ or ‘Spiced Chocolate’ (both IDR 45k). The lemon posset is a very refreshing addition to close off the night! — End the meal with individual dessert pots with a choice of **'Lemon Posset’** or **‘Spiced Chocolate’** (both **IDR 45k**). The lemon posset is a very refreshing addition to close off the night!

Now that you have your feast for the eyes, let's talk about their concept.

THE TRAFFIC CAUSALITY vs. 'GREENHOUSE' CONCEPT

Owned by PTT Family, the same group that introduces you to Potato Head and Potato Head Garage, Three Buns is a burger joint like no other. First, no other burger joint has parking space that ridiculous, haha. Located at Jl. Senopati 90, indeed they offered valet parking but as someone who stroll that area daily, I guess the traffic is getting much worse since the opening of Three Buns and other hip dining places in adjacent. A good sign of business indeed, but I wish there'd be some kind of solution to this ever-getting-worse problem.

Second of all, (once you get pass the parking issue :p), stepping foot inside actually feels really nice. It's like an oasis in the middle of Jakarta. The look and feel reminds me of a greenhouse, with its tall ceiling that creates open and airy atmosphere, the amphitheatre-like, giant wooden seating setting, and even the rustic bus outside feels very.... modern and urban.

Pioneering as an organic community space open to all, it is safe to say that you will not expect privacy while dining in here, in fact you are bound to interact with other people as well.

WRAP UP

It is one hell of a place that you should definitely try out not only because the burgers are nice, but also because of the unique open space concept. Best time to visit would be strictly right when they're open at 11AM, or afternoon for late lunch around 2.30PM-4PM. Other than that, do expect long queue and hectic, noisy atmosphere.

Oh, and do prepare around IDR 200k per meal per person. Hey, you get what you paid for!

THREE BUNS
Jl. Senopati Raya No. 90
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
12190. Indonesia
P. +62 21 2930 7780
E. wordup@threebuns.com
http://www.threebuns.com
Instagram: @burgerandheads