BurgerLabo

BurgerLabo is a small burger restaurant inside Henderson Industrial Park, an industrial estate on Henderson Road. It has been making burgers since 2015, and the focus is firmly on the beef. Food writers in Singapore often list it among the city's better burgers.

The man behind BurgerLabo is Ken Loon, who has spent years refining his cheeseburger. This shop on Henderson Road opened in late 2021 as 2280 Burgers, a lower-priced spin-off, and now trades under the BurgerLabo name.

What to order

The Basic Burger is the one most people come for. Its patty blends grass-fed Aberdeen Angus with Japanese Toriyama A4 wagyu. The meat is packed loosely so it stays juicy, and it is cooked until the outside forms a dark, caramelised crust.

The patty is finished with beef garum, a savoury seasoning made by fermenting beef with salt and koji for several months. Toppings are kept short, with melted cheese and pickled red onion. Everything sits in a toasted, buttered bun.

A few ways to make it your own:

• Fish instead of beef: there is a deep-fried fish burger for those who prefer it.
• Keep it simple: the burgers are meat-first, with few vegetables, so add a side if you want something fresh.

The menu is short, and the team changes it now and then. Check the restaurant's social media pages for the latest burgers before you go.

The setting

Do not expect a shopfront on a main shopping street. BurgerLabo is in a ground-floor unit of an industrial building, and food writers describe it as a hidden diner. The room is casual and simple. People come here for the burger, not the decor.

That makes it a good stop for a relaxed lunch or an early dinner. It also suits burger fans who are happy to travel a little out of the centre for a well-made patty.

Good to know before you go

• Finding it: look for unit #01-10 inside Henderson Industrial Park at 213 Henderson Road. Allow a few extra minutes to find the unit on your first visit.
• Calling ahead: phone the restaurant if you are coming as a larger group.
• Dietary needs: the menu centres on beef, so ask the staff about other options if you do not eat red meat.

Nearby

BurgerLabo is in the Tiong Bahru and Alexandra part of the city. For a local breakfast or lunch, try Tiong Bahru Market or ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre. You can also walk the Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves or explore the Tiong Bahru Estate. For more ideas, see all restaurants in Tiong Bahru and Alexandra or our list of burger, Mexican and international restaurants.