Is Farmer’s Sketch in Yangyang Worth the Hype? A Real Review of the Viral Burger Joint

Gangwon-do Yangyang has become a hotspot for delicious food and beautiful scenery. But is every hyped restaurant truly worth the visit? I drove over 370km in the rain for 4.5 hours just to find out if the legendary Farmer’s Sketch (파머 스케치) burger joint lives up to its massive reputation. Known for incredibly long wait times and celebrity endorsements, especially from Shinsegae Group Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin, this place is rumored to be the “life burger” experience. Was it?

The Pilgrimage to Burger Paradise (or Maybe Not?)

Located in a seemingly remote village in Yangyang, Farmer’s Sketch is far from a bustling city center. Despite its location, it draws crowds so large that waiting for over 2 hours is the norm. Some online reviews even call it a must-visit spot in Gangwon-do. Driven by curiosity (and a YouTube video to film!), I braved the long journey and even longer wait.

My mission was to arrive before the lunch break (3-5 PM) and taste these famous burgers. I arrived at 1:20 PM, feeling quite smug about my early arrival. Boy, was I wrong! Waitlist closed. Yes, even with almost 2 hours left until break time, the queue was already full. Luckily, they re-opened for ticketing at 3:30 PM. I spent the waiting time exploring the quiet village, still amazed at the restaurant’s popularity in such a seemingly unassuming location.

The Grueling Wait: 4 Hours and 18 Minutes!

At 3:30 PM sharp, the line started forming again, and the competition for tickets was fierce. After securing my spot (ticket number 10!), I then had to wait until 5 PM when the break ended, and then wait again for the first 9 ticket holders to be served. In total, from arrival to finally ordering, I endured a staggering 4 hours and 18 minutes of waiting. Adding the 4.5-hour drive, my burger adventure became almost a full-day commitment!

The anticipation was immense. Could any burger truly justify this ordeal? When my turn finally arrived, sides like fries and onion rings were already sold out. I opted for their bestsellers: the Bacon Cheeseburger, Garlic Shrimp Burger, and the most expensive Triple Cheese Burger, hoping the price tag correlated with exceptional taste.

The Verdict: Hype vs. Reality

Finally, the burgers arrived! Visually, they were appealing. The patties looked juicy and thick. Taste-wise, they were… good. Solidly good. The patties were indeed flavorful, and the burgers were well-constructed. The Triple Cheese Burger, being the most decadent and expensive, was arguably the best of the three.

However, and this is a big however, were they worth the insane wait and travel? Absolutely not. To be blunt, Farmer’s Sketch serves burgers that are comparable to many quality 수제버거 (handmade burger) joints you can find in Seoul. They are tasty, but not groundbreaking. Not “life-changing.” Definitely not worth driving hours and waiting half a day for.

While I appreciate the juicy patties and fresh ingredients, the experience felt more like a bandwagon effect than a culinary revelation. For a quick, satisfying burger, McDonald’s (with zero wait) offers far better value in terms of time and convenience. Unless you happen to be in Yangyang with absolutely no queue, Farmer’s Sketch is likely not worth the dedicated pilgrimage. It’s a decent burger, but let’s keep expectations realistic!

Restaurant Information: Farmer’s Sketch (파머 스케치)

• Location: Yangyang, Gangwon-do, South Korea (강원도 양양 – specific address not provided in text, search online)
• Cuisine: Handmade Burgers
• Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5 stars – Based on hype vs. actual experience)
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Break Time 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
• Waiting Time: Usually 2+ hours (significantly longer during peak times and after celebrity mentions)