BUNZAI - Genuine Smash Burgers — Restaurant in Zurich

Finally, a proper smash burger in Zurich!

I tried the oklahoma double and the caramelized onion double. Both had great smashed patties with a delicious crunchy beef crisp. The buns are solid and held everything nicely together. I surprised myself favoring the caramelized onions vs. the oklahoma onions but I think only because the latter should have been a bit more cooked in the burger I was served.

Now for the shortcomings: the fries and the cheese. I was expecting the former, it's explained on their website why and I get it, but basically they taste like they come from a frozen packet. The cheese was really my only gripe with what is otherwise a phenomenal burger. They use thick cheddar slices that don't melt enough and have a sharp taste which, in my view, are a little overpowering to the rest of the burger. I would have preferred classic American cheese slices instead, although I recognize these are hard to acquire in Switzerland.

Seating is limited and it gets packed really quickly. Some ingredients are also know to run out apparently, a testament to their success. The ordering system is a bit messy but I'm sure it will improve over time.

Bottom line: one of the best burgers in the city, despite a few nitpicks. Come early to beat the queues and don't order fries, get an extra burger instead, you...

i had pretty high expectations going into this, so bear in mind i might be biased- but to be honest i was a bit disappointed. i ordered the double classic. the experience of the smashed patty is quite unique in zurich so for sure its worth a try. the meat and bun appear to be good quality (alltough for my taste, the meat could have used more seasoning, texture and juicyness was nice, but flavour average in my opinion; the bun is perfect in its softness and also looks great). what ruined it for me in the end was the cheese, which was way to present. i like to have much of it in general, but it was almost tasteless and kind of diminished the other components. the first couple of bites had better balance, but overall i imagine i would have been better without it. the sauce was also quite bland. the menu also pretty pricey (which comes from the quality ingredients i understand, for a popup scenario i am ready to pay more). but all in all for me at this specific evening a below average burger (while the taste is obviously the most important i think you cant justify the price). i hope to try again in some time and see if it changes. still i wish for much success as you can really fee the effort and happy to give it a second try...

FINALLY - it’s happened. Zürich gets a smash burger spot that‘s playing in the major leagues…

As an American who has frequented various heavy-hitter smash burger spots around the US (7th St Burger, Hamburger America, etc) and has met burger legend George Motz, I can say BUNZAI has achieved the impossible for Switzerland; not only does it compete with, but dare I say, potentially edges out in the world of smash burgers.

The Bun: An often overlooked element to a perfect smash burger. It must be fresh, soft, pillowy with an ever-so-slight crispy exterior. These little background pillows of the gods achieve this, with a subtle sweetness in perfect marriage with an umami patty, without stealing the show.

The Patty: Fresh meat - smashed with vigor into a piping hot flat top. Expertly salted, the meat sizzles and crackles forming crisp edges and caramelization.

The Rest: Melty american cheese fills the crevices of the smashed patty, with or without house made sauce, your choice. Caramelized onions for a crispy addition.

This is the pinnacle of smash burger. It’s rich, buttery and salty to perfection. If you don’t like it, you don’t like smash burgers, plain and simple. Price is on par with other Zürich...