Name: The Iconic Culture Awards Burger (with Korean-Inspired Gochujang Mayo)
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend); 4 brioche burger buns; 4 slices aged cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste); 1 tbsp honey; 2 tsp rice vinegar; 1 cup kimchi, chopped (well-drained, fish-free); 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced; 1 cup baby arugula; 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature; Kosher salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 tbsp neutral oil (for searing)

The Iconic Culture Awards Burger (with Korean-Inspired Gochujang Mayo)

CookwithNewsletter

Inspired by the playful chaos of the Las Culturistas Culture Awards, this burger is a love letter to both classic American comfort and the joyful unpredictability of food culture. It’s a $46 burger for your inner icon, blending juicy, perfectly seared patties and melty cheddar with a punchy, tangy-sweet Korean gochujang mayo and crunchy, fish-free kimchi for that essential hit of “Best Dinner” flavor. Toasted brioche, a peppery arugula crown, and a little wink of red onion ensure every bite is worthy of a standing ovation. This burger is more than a meal—it’s a moment.

Ingredients

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, gochujang, honey, and rice vinegar. Whisk until smooth. Set aside the gochujang mayo.
Shape the ground beef into four equal patties, making a slight indentation in the center of each. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Heat a large cast iron pan or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add neutral oil. When hot, add burger patties. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side for medium, adding cheddar cheese on top during the last minute to melt. Cover briefly to help melt the cheese.
While patties cook, split the brioche buns and spread butter on the cut sides. Toast buns, cut side down, in a separate skillet or under a broiler until golden and crisp.
To assemble: Spread a generous layer of gochujang mayo on both sides of each bun. Place a cheesy patty on the bottom bun, top with chopped kimchi, a few slices red onion, and a small handful of arugula. Crown with the top bun. Repeat for all burgers.
Serve immediately, with extra gochujang mayo on the side for dipping fries or hashbrowns!