Frazer Vs Burger: The Big Mac @ Mad Monkey

Mad Monkey Hostel: The Big Mac
Two beef patties, home-made Big Mac sauce and all the trimmings, served with fries & coleslaw.
$6.50

Hailing from a city consumed by gourmet burger chains, I’ve grown accustomed to craving pimped-up patties.  In this series, I hit the streets of Phnom Penh to sniff out the very best burgers on offer.

The Burger Joint

Over in the heart of BKK1, Mad Monkey hostel provides a vibrant fun double-venue for backpackers passing through Phnom Penh. The hostel almost acts as a bubble from the wonders of the city as many backpackers only venture outside the hostel and straight into a tuk-tuk for the Killing fields and s21, before thinking Phnom Penh is depressing and escaping to the picturesque countryside again. Obviously, we strive to improve awareness of this great place, but for now we ventured to the hostel to sample their menu.

The Burger

I was recently told that there’s no McDonald’s in Cambodia – the rumour is that they can’t trust someone to run the franchise with their approved quality products. Whilst I don’t see the lack of McDonalds as a huge loss (perhaps at 4am after the nightclubs spill out), I was interested to see both a ‘Big Mac’ and ‘Zinger Tower Burger’ on the menu. I’m sure the KFC round the corner don’t mind too much. With such a high volume of western travellers passing through this hostel hot-spot, I could see why Mad Monkey chose to recreate the staple burger of fast food dining.

On the Side

The portion of fries was fairly generous, although they were pretty basic and less tasty than I’d have hoped – luckily the great quality of such a stacked up meaty burger compensated for that. A small garnish of coleslaw is always a welcome addition too, no complaints there.

First Impressions

Arriving looking impressively chunky, I instantly was delighted with my choice. Mad Monkey have recreated the big mac sauce with delightful accuracy. Not to take away from the fast food giants, but I found this version was a much improved creation. With the burger patties super thick and juicy, and the bun light and fluffy and equally chunky. I felt like somehow they’d taken a McDonalds classic and made it healthier, as it felt a lot less processed with better quality ingredients.

The Verdict

Overall, with the sauce done so accurate and such a generously stacked double bun, I’d give the Big Mac a generous 8/10 – an ideal lunch before a wild hostel-based night out, even at 2pm on a Tuesday the tables next to us were slamming back Sambuca shots and sinking pints a plenty.

#26 Street 302, Phnom Penh