Rock-Hard Buns: Hulu Looks to Woo With its Cutesy Sliders
In the lead-up to our 2018 Beijing Burger Festival on Jun 16-17 at Galaxy Soho, our Rock-Hard Buns series will whet your appetite by taking a look at those vendors signed up to sling their wares at the veritable meat fest ahead.
After attaining numerous feats in Beijing's fine dining scene since opening Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) in 2011 – including a slew of awards, brisk business and positive press at home and abroad – Ignace Lecleir went back to basics this year with the even more formidable Hulu. The Taikooli restaurant is far more casual and approachable than Lecleir's other ventures, making the owner and founder of TRB Hospitality Group a major player in a broader field as he works to woo customers back again and again with colorful, fun, delectably textured yet wholesomely down-to-earth dishes.
Among the most popular of those menu offerings is Hulu's sliders, a longtime fast-food favorite made bite-sized to appeal to both pub grub loving foreigners and Chinese patrons looking to share. Aside from quality beef and buns, Lecleir threw in a few higher-end flourishes for toppings that give this casual item a subtle touch reminiscent of his fine dining days.
Below, Lecleir tells us more about making these tempting little burgers, which American fast food outlet leaves him salivating with glee, and also drops a clue about which side of the ever contentious Hawaiian pizza debate he falls on.
What are the most important elements in making a great burger?
The quality of the beef is important. For the beef sliders in Hulu, we are using Australian wagyu beef. The cooking method is also important because the beef pattie needs to be juicy.
Tell us about your signature burger.
Hulu’s Mini Beef Sliders are juicy beef patties topped with Emmental cheese, tomato, purple onion, and romaine lettuce, which make for small, easy sharing burgers with a good bite and a cute presentation.
What burgers and sides will you bring to our 2018 Beijing Burger Fest?
We will bring the juicy mini beef sliders as well as our signature Hulu Fries to the Burger Fest This year.
What drink from your menu goes best with the burger?
A nice cool glass of local draft IPA would be perfect to combine with the slider.
What is one of the best burgers you've ever had?
The best burger I have ever eaten was at In & Out Burger in LA.
What foodstuff or condiment should in your opinion never sully a beautiful burger?
Pineapple seems not the best combination for a burger [laughs].
Taste Hulu's mini sliders and burgers from 40 other vendors at this year's Beijing Burger Festival. To learn more about what's in store this weekend, click here.
Photos courtesy of Hulu
