It might not be strictly “Japanese cuisine,” but boy does Japan know how to make a good burger! These are my top 5 burger joints in Japan:
5. MOS Burger
MOS Burger is perhaps the best introduction to the world of Japanese burgers.
Like many restaurants in Japan, their serving sizes are notably smaller than what you’d find in the West, promoting a more “mindful” way of eating per se.
Of course, that won’t stop you from ordering a bunch of these little burgers to try them all!
MOS Burger’s iconic items include shrimp burgers, beef with egg yolk burgers, and even rice burgers!
4. Freshness Burger
Freshness Burger is perhaps the most iconic of all Japanese burger chains, offering a selection similar to MOS Burger, but…fresher!
It’s not all in name, at least in my experience, because these burgers sure did have that “homemade” effect when I tried the branch at Kitakyushu.
It’s not every day you come out of a fast-food store feeling healthy and well-nutritioned, but Freshness Burger certainly makes that feeling a reality!
3. Burger King
Burger King may not be what you’d expect to find on a list about Japanese burger shops, but hear me out!
The unique twists that Japan puts on classic American fast-food chains practically turns them into completely new restaurants.
Burger King Japan is abundant in exclusive items such as cheesy garlic burgers, steak whoppers, and even the iconic “Kyoto Whopper” which features a patty of rice in the mix (classic Japan).
Visiting Burger King in Japan is always an exciting experience as there’s always a new menu campaign in the works.
2. Lotteria
Lotteria is a Korean-owned fast-food restaurant that has grown quite popular in Japan for its unique menu items and delicious burgers.
Having been to both Korea and Japan’s Lotteria stores, it’s easy to say Korea is the superior choice here (can’t beat the OGs!).
However, there are exclusive items that I’ve only seen at Lotteria Japan, one of which is this delicious pepper beef burger.
This burger was nothing short of a peppery paradise. It goes particularly well with a Lotteria Japan-exclusive matcha shake too!
1. Rikuto’s Place
Rikuto’s Place is a small, humble burger and fried chicken shop in the backstreets of Osaka’s Dotonbori district.
You can forget about healthy eating because these burgers are packed with flavor!
It’s no wonder they provide you with plastic gloves when your burger is served, because these flavors will definitely seep into your skin!
I’m not sure what illegal substances were put in these burgers, but the fact that this taste hasn’t been replicated by any other burger shop may be cause for concern…
Regardless, this is a list of the tastiest burgers in Japan, so regardless of what Rikuto’s Place pulled to earn that top spot, it deserves it!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!