RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK The burger spot that brings true Americana to Suwon

A burger at 105 South St Grill in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, April 25 / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province — Situated near Sungkyunkwan University's Natural Sciences Campus, 105 South St Grill is a hidden gem that brings a slice of Philadelphia straight to Suwon. This no-nonsense burger joint, run by a passionate Philly native, is the real deal when it comes to American comfort food. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a true East Coast greasy spoon — sports jerseys from his beloved Philly teams adorn the walls, while the compact space, complete with snug bar seating, keeps the experience intimate.

105 South St Grill in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Dec. 27 / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

Here, his philosophy is simple: serve food that he loves — nothing more, nothing less. And trust me, that passion comes through in every bite. The hamburger patties are handmade with precise weight, ensuring a juicy, meaty consistency that sets them apart. The restaurant has been in operation for over a decade, first starting out in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, before moving to Daegu and now Suwon. The owner recalls his early struggles introducing his Korean patrons to the legendary Philly cheesesteak, guiding diners on how to properly savor this iconic sandwich.

In a city filled with burger joints, 105 South St Grill stands out for its authenticity. There are no fillers, no pandering to local tastes — just pure, unadulterated Americana on a plate. On this occasion, my burger-loving companion and I went all in with the double cheeseburger set (15,000 won). What arrived was a feast — a massive, beautifully assembled burger accompanied by a generous portion of fries, with a choice between straight-cut or wedges.

The Philly cheesesteak at 105 South St Grill in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Dec. 27 / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

During a previous visit, I indulged in the Philly cheesesteak (11,500 won), a masterclass in sandwich-making. Packed with grilled onions, sweet peppers, jalapeños, mushrooms, mayonnaise and creamy white American cheddar, it was as satisfying as it was indulgent. Whether you opt for a burger, a cheesesteak or a hoagie, one thing is certain: you’ll be needing a post-meal nap.

For the adventurous diner, 105 South Street Grill serves up indulgence with its premium burger lineup. The Root Beer Burger (14,500 won) pairs double patties with smoky root beer BBQ sauce, while the Hitori Burger (15,500 won) piles on smoked onions, mushrooms and bacon. For a crispy twist, the Hash Brown Mozzarella Burger (15,500 won) combines gooey cheese with golden hash browns. And for the truly daring, the South Tower Burger (18,000 won) stacks four patties with onions, lettuce, tomato and cheese — a feast for the bold. Each bite delivers pure burger bliss.

It’s no surprise that this spot is packed during weekday lunch hours, with students filling every seat before rushing off to class. My burger aficionado friend confidently dubs it the best burger in Suwon, and I couldn’t agree more. If you find yourself in northern Suwon, 105 South St Grill is an absolute must-visit.

The interior of 105 South St Grill in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, April 25 / Courtesy of Eddie Tam

105 South St Grill welcomes guests daily from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a break between 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit fb.com/southst105 for more information.

Eddie Tam is an assistant professor in Suwon and runs the Facebook foodie groups Hidden Gems Korea and Hidden Gems Suwon, Korea.