American-style burgers at the Taipei Container Market — the sweet-and-savory "Apple Chicken" burger

Text & Photos /Three Highs Sir

After lunch at Joke Pavilion, head to the COMMUNE A7 container market across the street. This market consists of shipping containers and food trucks, and is expected to operate until the end of 2017 as a pop-up community. Though not particularly large in area, it houses quite a few international eateries. Upon closer inspection, it seems that due to the small storefronts and semi-open-air stall-like setup, some vendors offer significantly fewer menu items compared to established restaurants.

I’d just had ramen for lunch, and although I wasn’t hungry in the afternoon, I still felt like eating something to change the flavor in my mouth. Selfish Burger originally had a store near Taipei 101, and they also have a presence at the container market. I checked out their menu — they only serve five types of burgers, all made with U.S. Choice-grade whole shoulder-ground beef. Normally, I’d only go for beef burgers, but I spotted oneApple Chicken (NT$230)that seemed like a refreshing option, so I decided to give it a try.

I added an onion ring and cola combo (+NT$70). The onion rings were about on par with standard fast-food quality, and the small cup of cola was a bit disappointing for the price. The few small round tables in front of the shop were all taken, and it was hard to find seating after finishing, so I asked for a paper bag and took my meal to a tree-shaded seat outside.

The burger was simply wrapped in paper. Perhaps fitting the style of the venue, the overall feel was very much like a fast-food joint. Fortunately, the burger itself was pretty good — the inside of the bun was crispy and lightly toasted, and it came with a generous chicken thigh patty, which is a favorite among Taiwanese. The patty was marinated, lightly coated in flour, and fried to perfection. It had a nice bounce and juiciness when bitten into. The sauce was made from diced apples, thick and tangy-sweet, reminiscent of an apple pie from a certain M-brand. At the bottom was a round slice of apple and some lettuce.

It was a pretty tasty burger. The savory marinade of the thigh patty paired well with the sweet-and-sour sauce and the tartness of the apple slices. The portion was also quite filling and satisfying. However, the overall fast-food vibe of the stall-style setup was a bit strong, and the price wasn’t any cheaper than the main store. Maybe I’ll check out their beef burger at the original location someday.

Selfish Burger
Address: No. 3, Songshou Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City
Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

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