First Look: Seoul Tiger 1988 Serves Bulgogi Burgers and Buttermilk Soft-Serve Sundaes

North Melbourne cafe Baguette Studios opened in 2021 and quickly made a name for itself with its crusty French-style baguettes and Korean-inspired specials such as pine-nut-topped kouign-amann and yakwa (Korean honey cookies). In 2024, the three co-founders – director Aileen Seo, head baker Paul Kwon and chef Jiho Sur – followed it up with another French Korean hybrid The Library Bakery (which closed that same year).

“At the core of all our brands is food made with bread we bake ourselves, shaped by our personal tastes, identities, memories and experiences,” Seo says. At their latest, Seoul Tiger 1988, the trio is mapping Korean flavours onto American exports: burgers, corndogs and shakes.

Four burgers make up the core offering, with almost everything made from scratch in-house “to maximise flavours and depth.” There’s a beef bulgogi-inspired cheeseburger; a prawn number with a patty made from house-ground prawn meat; a KFC (Korean fried chicken) burger coated in a special sauce inspired by classic Korean sweet-spicy fried chicken; and a veggie burger inspired by yachae twigim (thinly sliced, battered and fried vegetables) served with house-made Korean pickled onions.

The team’s bakery roots mean that the burger buns are a high priority. “We developed a custom bun exclusively for Seoul Tiger,” Seo says. After extensive testing, they determined that a soft, chewy potato bun best complemented their burgers. The sturdy buns are crafted in-house from a dough incorporating mashed potatoes, which adds “depth of flavour and a plush texture.”

Beyond burgers, there’s an emphasis on sundaes – featuring house-made buttermilk soft-serve layered with the venue’s own toppings and sauces. Mainstays include the strawberry pavlova with strawberry compote, strawberry sauce, vanilla meringue, and the Tiger Sundae with peanut brittle, crispy feuilletine, dark chocolate chips and dulce de leche. They’re served alongside monthly specials that change according to what’s available at the nearby Queen Victoria Market. (Currently, there’s a Peach Melba sundae with fresh white peaches, raspberries and pine nuts).

Inside, the design leans into warm brown tones and traditional Korean materials, including changoji paper (made from mulberry tree bark), unbleached cotton and moon jars created in collaboration with Melbourne ceramic artist Jack Balfour.

As for the name, Seoul Tiger 1988 refers both to both the city and year Seo’s brother was born in, and the 1988 Seoul Olympic games. It’s a time Seo says represents “a pivotal moment when Korean culture and tradition were introduced to the world.” The tiger iconography is a nod to the Olympic mascot Hodori and an important symbol that represents team’s ethos. “In Korean culture, the tiger symbolises bravery, strength, and protection, while also representing humour and satire.”

Seoul Tiger 1988
547 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
No phone

Hours:
Sun to Thu midday–3pm; 4pm–8pm
Fri & Sat midday–3pm; 4pm–9pm

@seoultiger1988