10 Burger Joints Serving Affordable Gourmet Burgers Under $15

There is an irresistible appeal to burgers. Not only do you get to enjoy the juicy, umami-rich unctuousness of the meat patty, but the contrast with the variety of toppings ranging from vegetables to sauces, as well as the soft, fluffy burger bun, makes for an explosion of flavours and textures. Burgers can be pretty common, such as those found in fast food joints, or fetch a hefty price tag like the $250 gold leaf-adorned wagyu burger sold by Lombardo's Burgers in 2019. Yet, one does not need to shell out big bucks to savour a quality burger. Ahead, we share with you 10 places to enjoy affordable gourmet burgers below $15.

1. Rokus a.g.b.

Lau Pa Sat isn't just a hawker centre for tourists, satay, and those who work nearby. Rokus a.g.b. is one of the hawker stalls within the heritage location and it offers Korean-Western fare such as rice bowls, snacks, and burgers. Options below $10 are the Omelette Burger ($4.90), Fish Burger ($5.90), and Cheese Burger ($7.90). For more unique takes, try the Gochujang Burger ($12.90), Kimchi Burger ($13.90), or the Tteokbokki Burger ($13.90). And yes, the Tteokbokki Burger does include slices of the chewy Korean rice cakes. PS: The fries are hand-cut and fried daily.

Rokus a.g.b. is at 18 Raffles Quay, #01-24 Lau Pa Sat, Singapore 048582. Visit its Facebook for more information.

2. Ordinary Burgers

Ordinary Burgers wants to prove that it is anything but ordinary. The halal-certified brand was started in early 2019 and continues to focus on serving premium gourmet burgers at honest prices. On the menu are The Ordinary Classic (from $8.90) made with beef, Spicy Chicken Burger (from $7.40), Southern Buttermilk Chicken Burger (from $8.40), Classic Fish Fillet Burger (from $7.40), and Ebimayo Katsu Burger (from $8.90). Vegans aren't left out either with the Classic Impossible Cheeseburger (from $12.90) or the King Portobello Mushroom Burger ($8.80). Ordinary Burgers also releases limited edition flavours from time to time, with recent iterations such as the Mala Chicken Burger and Ayam Penyet Burger.

Ordinary Burgers has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its Facebook for more information.

3. Skirt & Dirt

Skirt & Dirt is the brainchild of chef Fabian Tan. He started the hawker stall in the famous Tiong Bahru Market to create gourmet burgers at affordable prices. Burgers are sold ala carte with options of fish, chicken, pork, and beef burgers, ranging from the Cheese Skirt Burger ($9.80) and SND Hamburger ($7.80) to Big Bad Wolf's Pork Burger ($8.80) and Crispy Chicken Crunch ($7.80). The Cheese Skirt Burger, for example, comes with an impressive skirt made with grilled cheese. Other menu items include grilled meats, sausages, and snacks.

Skirt & Dirt is at 30 Seng Poh Rd, #02-66 Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898. Visit its website for more information.

4. Burgs by Project Warung

Burgs by Project Warung was started in 2017 by Mohd Ridzuan Ayob and Muhd Shah Indra Jasni, two chefs who had worked at Michelin restaurants. The halal gourmet burger shop started as a hawker stall before moving into shopping malls. Here, pick between beef or chicken burgers. The former includes Classic Cheeseburger (from $7.80), Mozzarella Marinana Burger (from $7.80), and Beef Bacon Burger (from $8.80), while the latter flavours are Original Crispy Chicken Burger, Garlic Soy Chicken Burger, and Hot Honey Chicken Burger (all from $6.80). There are Korean-style fried chicken and sides to complete the meal, too.

Burgs by Project Warung has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its website for more information.

5. Ashes Burnnit

Among the founders of Ashes Burnnit is Lee Syafiq Muhd Ridzuan Lee. He was one of the three who started Burgs by Project Warung before leaving to start this business. The Muslim-owned hawker stall originally opened in Golden Mile Food Centre in 2018 and now has seven locations islandwide. Once, the brand even had an overseas outpost in New York City. All the burgers sold by Ashes Burnnit are made with charcoal buns, with variants ranging from Ashes Cheese Burger (from $8.40) and Bacon Cheese Burger (from $9.40) to Truffle Shroom Burger (from $10) and Chipotle Fried Chicken Burger (from $9.40). There are also various options for loaded fries and mac and cheese.

Ashes Burnnit has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its website for more information.

6. Phat Fingers

Phat Fingers started as a cloud kitchen in 2021, but its popularity prompted it to open physical locations, where it continues to sell its popular Korean fried chicken. And if you're looking for some burgers, there are four flavours to pick from: Psy's Famous Chicken Burger, Classic Yangyeom Burger, Nuclear Spicy Xtra Hot Burger, and Sweet & Seoulmate Burger ($8.90 each). The same flavours are echoed in their fried chicken, which is flavoured with seven different spices native to Korea.

Phat Fingers has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its website for more information.

7. NBCB

No, NBCB does not stand for the Hokkien vulgarity if that's what you are thinking. Instead, it means Nothing But Cheeseburgers. Tommy Wong started the cheekily named brand as a home-based business to satisfy his pregnant wife's cravings and it now has two physical stores in Singapore. The menu includes the BLT ($8.90), made with bacon, lettuce, and tomato and the namesake beef burger NBCB (from $11.90), as well as CCB ($9.90) stuffed with fried boneless chicken leg and the soft shell crab Jim ($15.90).

NBCB is at 181 Orchard Rd, #04-23 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896 and 112 E Coast Rd, #01-17 i12, Singapore 428802. Visit its website for more information.

8. BurgerLabo

Fancy some Angus beef without a hefty price tag? Established in 2015 by restauranteur Ken Loon, BurgerLabo can satisfy that craving with its signature 2280 Beef Burger (from $10.70). The patty is made with grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef, then flavoured with beef garum and housemade shio kombu burger sauce. If you're feeling more indulgent, you can get the Basic Burger (from $19.50) made with Aberdeen Angus and Toriyama A4 wagyu, the NZ Blue Cod Burger ($18.50), and the Connecticut-style Lobster Roll ($43.50).

BurgerLabo is at 213 Henderson Rd, #01-10 Henderson Industrial Park, Singapore 159553. Visit its Facebook for more information.

9. Fatboy's The Burger Bar

Brothers Kennie and Bernie Tay started Fatboy's The Burger Bar in 2009 to spread their love for delicious burgers. So, it isn't surprising that the menu features a slew of burger options. With a cap of $15, there are nine flavours to pick from, which range from Classic Cheese Burger ($13) and Swiss Shroom ($14.50) to The Elvis ($13) and Ono Ono ($14.80). The last two belong to the speciality section — The Elvis is made with pork party topped with grilled bananas and peanut butter while the Ono Ono has a chorizo pork patty with grilled pineapple and apple slaw.

Fatboy's The Burger Bar is at 187 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574335. Visit its website for more information.

10. Two Blur Guys

Two Blur Guys are located right by Bendemeer MRT along Jalan Besar, a location they have been at since moving from Tanjong Pager in 2020. The brand began life in 2012 and serves up American-style burgers. Ala carte options below $15 are the Pulled Chicken Burger ($13.90), Grilled Chicken with Pineapple ($14.90), Grilled Chicken Masala Burger ($14.90), Spicy Crispy Chicken Burger ($14.90), and the popular Pulled Pork Burger ($14.90). You can also top up a dollar or more for other variants such as TBG's Signature Burger ($15.90), TBG Fish Burger ($15.90), and the Truffle Egg Burger ($17.90).

Two Blur Guys is at 387 Jln Besar, Singapore 209002. Visit its Facebook for more information.