[Edaily Reporter Han Jeon-jin ] I’ll try anything and report back to you. I’m interested in not only new products but also those making a comeback. I avoid simple reviews. I’ll also explain why they’re popular and why they were launched. From gum to steaks at high-end restaurants, I’ll try it all without discrimination. If there’s something to eat, I’ll go anywhere. These are “self-funded” reviews using my own salary. <Editor’s Note>

A single burger meal costs over 20,000 won. That’s more expensive than most regular meals. But the contents are impressive, too. This single burger contains a total of four patties: three beef patties and one whole chicken thigh patty. This is Burger King’s “Monster Maximum 3,” launched on the 19th. With a single burger costing 18,500 won, it’s literally a “monster burger.” But is it really worthy of the name “Monster Maximum”? I decided to try it for myself.

I visited a Burger King near my home and ordered a large Monster Maximum 3 set. The price was 21,400 won. Burger King has released three versions of this new product—Monster Maximum, Monster Maximum 2, and Monster Maximum 3—based on the number of beef patties. They replaced the chicken patty in the original Monster Whopper with a “Chicken King” patty made from whole chicken thigh meat and stacked up to three flame-grilled beef patties. They also added bacon, vegetables, and Diablo sauce.

As soon as I received the tray, the overwhelming size caught my eye. When I unwrapped it, I realized the name “Monster” was no exaggeration. The bacon stuck out from the bun like a tongue, and the three beef patties sagged downward, seemingly unable to support their own weight. The bun was struggling to hold the thick chicken patty and the three beef patties in place. It was large enough to cover the palm of an adult man’s hand, and it was quite tall as well.

I opened my mouth as wide as I could and took my first bite. As my mouth filled with the patty, the rich, meaty aroma and Burger King’s signature charcoal-grilled flavor washed over me all at once. What surprised me was the combination of three beef patties and a chicken patty. The juicy chicken thigh meat from the Chicken King seeped through the slightly dry beef patties, adding a savory depth. I thought it might be a risky combination, but once I actually tried it, the distinct flavors and textures of the different meats complemented each other quite well.

Next, the spiciness of the Diablo sauce kicked in. It was about as spicy as Shin Ramyun and served to cut through the meat’s richness just right. After two or three bites, I began to notice the presence of the bacon and vegetables as well. Thanks to that, I didn’t get tired of it as quickly as I’d expected. The more I ate, the more sauce dripped down, and my mouth naturally got messy. Even that felt like an intentional inconvenience befitting the name “Monster.”

Of course, there were clear physical limits. The price I paid for stacking the patties to the max was in calories. The Monster Maximum 3 alone clocks in at 1,619 kcal, and the Large Set comes in at 1,989 kcal. After eating about half of it, I already felt full enough for a full meal. If you like heavy, meaty American-style burgers, you’ll be very satisfied, but if you usually prefer lighter burgers, this portion size will be hard to handle.

While a Large Set in the 20,000-won range is certainly a hefty price tag, considering the portion size and taste, I didn’t feel like it was a waste of money. It also provided a satisfying, hearty feeling similar to when I first tried Five Guys. Above all, the biggest advantage is that you can choose this style of burger at Burger King, which is easily accessible in most neighborhoods. If both the price and portion size are a bit much, I’d recommend the “Monster Maximum 2” as a more realistic option.

These “expensive burgers” are an area Burger King has been focusing on recently. While consistently introducing premium products like the “Originals” line, the chain also offers menu items starting at 1,000 won through its “All-Day Snacks” lineup. At “Flame Ground,” the world’s first flagship store set to open next month in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, they plan to offer a menu in the 80,000-won range that reimagines the Whopper as a multi-course meal.

The “Monster Maximum 3” also aligns with this premium strategy. Rather than compromising on taste or portion size, the focus was on maximizing the presence of the meat. While it may not be a burger for everyone, if you enjoy a rich, meaty aroma and the flavor of charcoal-grilled meat, the bold combination itself could be appealing. It’s the kind of burger that comes to mind on those rare days—once every few months—when you’re craving a “meat bomb.” At the very least, it truly lives up to the “Monster” name.