What if we mashed up puff pastry pineapple buns with hamburgers? Any takers?!

Text and photos byOrange Dog Loves Candy

Back before McDonald’s existed, my only impression of burgers was Wendy’s (ah, I’ve given away my age!)

Back in those days, actually going to eat what seemed like an affordable fast-food burger was a pretty cool thing to do. It’s just that there was no Facebook to show off on back then. But I remember that a meal set didn’t even cost over a hundred dollars. For me, a Wendy’s burger was a treat I’d only get after scoring full marks on an exam. (Talking about this is making me cry—how could I ever get full marks?)

But nowadays, burgers are pretty much everywhere. Aside from the major fast-food chains, in recent years, many burger specialty shops have popped up, focusing solely on this item and showcasing it in more vibrant ways.
That day, I got an invitation from this [WHAT'S BURGER], which is hidden in a mysterious alley in Yizhong Street. If I hadn’t received their invitation, I would’ve walked past it countless times without ever noticing that burger-shaped lamp in the alley.

As for the location of [WHAT'S BURGER], it’s right across from Taichung University of Science and Technology, a place known for its many attractive students. It’s on Sanmin Road, near a place full of “people’s nannies” called the police station. Just walk into the alley next to it, and you’ll find it.

Even though it’s a burger specialty shop, the greenery decoration at the entrance initially made me a bit hesitant because I thought it might be some kind of vegetarian health restaurant. Let me just say, I’m not against eating vegetarian food to save the Earth—I just personally can’t give up meat. I still prefer a balanced diet to keep myself strong and healthy.

After pushing the door and stepping inside, I’ve actually been here twice. The first time, it was completely empty, and the second time, it was packed. So I’m not really sure how good their business is, but there isn’t much information about it online.

The only reason I was interested in taking up their invitation is because they serve ‘pineapple bun burgers’—how rare is that? Even shrimp and beef balls can create a fun and tasty combo. I think a pineapple bun and a burger teaming up to become a legendary couple like the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber—envied by none but each other—shouldn’t be too hard.

The style inside the shop is quite refreshing. It doesn’t really resemble the American-style burger restaurants I had in mind. Aside from my initial mistaken impression of it being a vegetarian restaurant, it also feels a lot like a café that only serves light meals and coffee.

The wooden tables and chairs give it a simple design. The space isn’t very large, but the arrangement of the tables and chairs is well thought out, so it doesn’t feel cramped. The color scheme inside is light and bright, making it quite a comfortable place.

The staff isn’t numerous, but they greet and seat customers promptly as soon as someone walks in.

The MENU seems like it will be updated later, but currently, burgers are still the main items, priced between 220 and 240 NT$. Only a few more substantial options are around 260 NT$.
【When you order a burger, you can choose either fries or hash browns, along with a cup of black tea or unlimited sparkling drinks】


There are also some brunch options, a few desserts, and a small selection of pasta. For drinks, the previously mentioned all-you-can-drink option can be exchanged for other special drinks with a 30 NT$ discount. Today’s post will introduce three drink options.


[Double Cheese + Bacon Juicy Beef Burger / 240 NT$ / Comes with unlimited sparkling drinks]
The burger served on a tile-like stone plate is a bit surprising, as I usually see such plates used for desserts or decorations. Without even mentioning the bun, just the amount of filling in the burger feels quite generous!

Two large slices of bacon lie on the lettuce like beef tongues, hiding a thick, hand-patted beef patty inside. There are also two layers of cheese for an extra calorie boost. Forget about the body fat scale—just smash it and throw it aside, and finish the burger first!


The bread they use is a very fragrant and crispy pineapple bun. The crispy crust has a hint of saltiness, and the milk crumb aroma and sweetness are pleasantly surprising. It’s not just a pretty face—the bun actually takes inspiration from Hong Kong-style techniques, making it a delicious creative fusion of Hong Kong and American styles. The bread is also baked in-house, which shows a lot of care. There’s also a sprinkle of Hawaiian red salt on the side, just like with a Western steak.

The beef patty inside is thick enough, entirely hand-patted and formed in the kitchen. When you cut into it, the juices overflow uncontrollably. Every time I see that cross-section, I love leaning in to smell the beef aroma rising with the heat. WHAT'S BURGER’s beef patties are actually made from a blend of three different cuts of pure beef, so the beef aroma is very rich. The meat is tender and juicy, and the thick beef flavor blends with the cheese, bacon, and the pineapple bun layer. Losing weight? I’ve pretty much forgotten that was a goal I made last century!!!


[Grilled Natural Pork Apple Sauce Burger / 260 NT$ / Comes with unlimited sparkling drinks]
Natural pork is a healthier standard, as regular pigs are often raised in confined spaces and given antibiotics and other medications to boost immunity. Natural pork, on the other hand, is marketed as free from antibiotic and growth hormone residues.

Of course, this is knowledge I got from my dad, who works in animal husbandry. Regardless of whether the pork is naturally raised or not, this pork is really thick!


The grilled marks are deeply etched into it like tattoos, but the pork itself is very chewy and sweet. The sweetness doesn’t just come from the apple sauce—it’s also the natural sweetness of the pork. They didn’t add overly heavy seasonings, so the overall texture is very rich and satisfying.


The side dish is hash browns, which I actually think are tastier than fries!

[Grilled Squid Ink Pasta / 250 NT$ / Comes with unlimited sparkling drinks]
For this price, you actually get a pretty decent portion, which is quite a good deal. The texture of the noodles is okay, with good elasticity, and the squid is generously coated over every strand of pasta.


The umami flavor isn’t as pronounced, but the stir-fried spiciness subtly enhances the taste. There’s also a piece of grilled squid on top—when you bite into it, besides the squid’s natural elasticity, there’s a faint sweetness. The pasta also comes with unlimited free sparkling drinks. At this price point, I think the portion is actually quite generous.


[Japanese Matcha / 90 NTD]
It’s somewhat like a matcha latte, but the plating has a Japanese magazine aesthetic. The matcha aroma is quite nice, and the milk ratio isn’t too high, which I really like. The milk foam on top is also very smooth and fine.


[Yakult Orange / New Item – Price Unknown]
In anticipation of the upcoming summer, this drink uses a lively and playful sweet-and-sour flavor to beat the heat. The weather was particularly hot that day—spring hadn’t even fully left before summer rushed in to take over, with temperatures quickly nearing 29°C. Drinking this was the perfect, refreshing choice.


[Banana Banana Luxury / 100 NTD]
Unsurprisingly, it’s made with the currently popular sunflower (banana) blended into a puree as the base, mixed with milk and longan honey. The sweetness isn’t overly strong, and the banana’s naturally rich sweetness makes it quite good.


[Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Chicken Wings / 140 NTD]
The cooking method is probably similar to American-style Buffalo wings—no batter coating, just straight frying, and the sauce is likely seasoned with chili powder and white vinegar (obviously XD).

The portion here is pretty generous. The spiciness is just right, but the appetizing sourness stands out more. The crispy skin and tender meat—this was actually the first dish served, and after eating it, my impression of their food improved a lot. It includes not just wing pieces but also small drumsticks. I’d highly recommend ordering this for three people to share.


[Meat Sauce Fries / 100 NTD]
I don’t know why, but no matter where I go, I always love this high-calorie snack. However, each place has its own unique style of sauce. Here, they use thick-cut fries.

The meat sauce on top is thick, made from a mix of beef and pork. The saltiness is a bit high. The meat chunks themselves are large but slightly dry and tough—this is a slight pity—but overall, it’s still pretty good.


In Yizhong Commercial District, I know there are at least five burger specialty shops, each with its own delicious style. As for WHAT'S BURGER, their pineapple buns really do have a uniquely good flavor.
The patties in the burgers are also quite substantial. In the past, because it was tucked away in an alley, passersby might not have noticed what kind of burgers were sold there, which is quite a pity. Also worth mentioning is that their kitchen is right behind the counter, but you can barely smell any cooking oil fumes in the dining area. They’ve done a great job with fume isolation—even paying attention to this small detail means the food quality won’t be compromised.
Although it’s a relatively newer player in the burger trend, it’s a very thoughtful and highly recommended spot!!

【Special Discount Information】
This is a promotion offered by the shop. Before December 31, 2014, if you visit WHAT'S BURGER and show the Facebook post sharing this article on your phone, you can enjoy an additional 10% off your bill!! Make sure to take advantage of it!! Alternatively, you can print out this coupon to get 30 NTD off per person for orders over 200 NTD!! (You can only choose one of the above discounts!)



【[WHAT'S BURGER Burger Specialty Shop – Yizhong Commercial District │ North District】

Address:No. 6, Lane 126, Section 3, Sanmin Road, North District, Taichung City | Tel: 04-22234150
Business Hours:Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM + 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Saturday and Sunday:11:30Am-09:30Pm
Consumption Reminder:Closed on Mondays. Phone reservation recommended.
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