Have you ever eaten a McDonald’s hamburger while traveling abroad?
It’s good—reliable quality, friendly service, and easy on the wallet. But if you’re strolling through Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s gourmet hot spots, don’t you want to try a wagyu hamburger steak instead?🥩
Our recommendation: the Torokeru (melting) hamburger steak at Torokeru-Hamburg Fukuyoshi.
What is it exactly?
This article will guide you through a mouthwatering experience in a melting paradise.
🔥 What is “Torokeru” Hamburger Steak?
Torokeru-Hamburg Fukuyoshi is a cozy restaurant famous for its “toro-ke-ru” (melting) hamburg steak – a juicy and tender Japanese-style take on the classic hamburger patty.🍔
Made with carefully selected domestic beef, the hamburg is cooked to perfection until it literally melts in your mouth. It’s served sizzling on a hot iron plate with a rich demi-glace sauce or other flavorful toppings. Set meals often come with rice, miso soup, and side dishes.
📝 Our Visit
We visited the restaurant—a man and a woman—and had made a reservation in advance, so we were seated immediately upon arrival.
The menu offers a variety of dishes including, of course, the signature Torokeru Hamburg Steak Set, as well as hamburgers and steaks (naturally!).
We chose the Torokeru hamburger steak with grilled vegetables.
Price is 2180 yen.
(And if you’re feeling extra hungry—or generous with your budget—you can even add another patty.)🥩
🍳 The Experience
The hamburger steak was brought to the table raw and grilled right in front of us.
It was tough to wait, but a small sand timer helped us keep track of the cooking time. We watched it closely as the sand fell… and finally, the moment arrived.🏃
As we cut into the steak, glistening juices burst out like liquid gold. The smell and sizzle had our stomachs rumbling.🤤
A variety of condiments were available: salt, wasabi, black pepper, garlic, and soy sauce.
First, we tried it plain—just the meat.
And it was… marvelous. True to its name, the “torokeru” hamburg steak melted on the tongue like a drink. It was incredibly tender, almost unbelievable.
Next, we added wasabi and salt.
The result? Sophisticated.
The sharpness of the wasabi beautifully enhanced the natural sweetness of the beef.
Before we knew it, the steak was gone.
🍚 The Garlic Rice Finale
But the magic didn’t end there.
We used the leftover steak oil on the iron plate to make garlic rice!
Here’s how:
-
Add plain rice to the hot plate
-
Mix it with the remaining oil
-
Season with garlic salt, garlic chips, and garlic pepper (yes, all garlic!)
-
Grill it again on the plate
The aroma alone was enough to awaken our appetites all over again.
When we finally took a bite… it was absolutely amazing.
The rich flavors of garlic, beef oil, and pepper danced across our taste buds.
From beginning to end, the meal was pure satisfaction.
And for a man, the set with normal size rice is good, for a woman, the set with small size is good.
Both of us ate up all the food on the plait.
＋α：The History of Hamburg Steak in Japan
Hamburg steak—known as “hambāgu” (ハンバーグ) in Japan—is one of the most beloved Western-influenced dishes in Japanese cuisine. While its roots trace back to Europe, Japan has uniquely adapted and transformed this dish over more than a century. Here’s a look at how hamburg steak evolved in Japan.
🧭 1. European Origins (Late 19th Century)
The original Hamburg steak comes from Germany—specifically the port city of Hamburg. It was brought to the U.S. by German immigrants in the 19th century, eventually evolving into the hamburger we know today.
- In Japan, Western cuisine (known as yōshoku) began gaining popularity during the Meiji era (1868–1912)
- Hamburg steak was introduced as a Western-style meat dish in hotels and upscale restaurants under the name “Hamburg Steak”.
🍽️ 2. Early Adaptation in Japan (Taisho to Early Showa Era)
During the Taisho (1912–1926) and early Showa periods (1926–1930s), Western cuisine became more common in urban areas.
- Hamburg steak remained a somewhat luxurious Western-style dish served in hotels and restaurants.
- Japanese chefs began incorporating local ingredients such as fish paste, creating regional variants like iwashi hamburg (sardine hamburg steak).
🍱 3. Popularization as Home Cooking (1950s–1970s)
Following World War II, Japan’s rapid economic growth and improved food distribution made ground meat more affordable.
- From the 1950s, hamburg steak appeared in school lunches and home kitchens.
- In the 1960s and 70s, cookbooks and television programs helped establish it as a household favorite.
Japanese-style variations became popular, with sauces such as:
- Demi-glace sauce
- Grated daikon (Japanese radish) soy sauce
- Ketchup-based sweet sauces
🏪 4. Rise of Hamburg Steak Restaurants (1980s Onward)
From the 1980s, hamburg steak exploded in popularity as a restaurant dish.
- Specialty chains like Bikkuri Donkey, Flying Garden, and Sawayaka gained nationwide popularity.
- Served sizzling on hot iron plates or with molten cheese inside, hamburg steaks became a family dining favorite.
🍷 5. Modern Trends: Diversity & Gourmet Options (2000s–Present)
Today, hamburg steak continues to evolve in Japan:
- Gourmet hamburg steaks made from premium wagyu or local brand beef
- Stuffed or cheese-filled varieties
- Fusion flavors including Italian, Korean, and Japanese-style hamburgs
You’ll find them everywhere—from convenience store bento boxes to Michelin-starred restaurants.
🇯🇵 What Makes Japanese Hamburg Steak Unique?
- Often served with rice instead of bread
- Typically has a soft, juicy texture
- Comes with a wide variety of savory sauces
- A favorite among children and adults alike
- Regularly featured in school lunches and homemade meals
🍛 Conclusion
Though its roots lie in Europe, hamburg steak has become a deeply embedded part of Japanese food culture.
Especially Torokeru-Hamburg Fukuyoshi is the good place to enjoy Japanese delicious hamburger steak.
So if you have chance, please drop by 😊
・Place
: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RHnejCDrNL7s5oD38
・Open
➡Mon-Thu: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Food L.O. 2:30 p.m., Drink L.O. 2:30 p.m.)5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Food L.O. 9:00 PM, Drink L.O. 9:30 PM)
➡Fri: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Food L.O. 2:30 PM, Drink L.O. 2:30 PM)
5:00 PM to 11:00 PM (Food L.O. 10:00 PM, Drink L.O. 10:30 PM)
➡Sat: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Food L.O. 10:00 PM, Drink L.O. 10:30 PM)
➡Sun, Holidays: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM (Food L.O. 9:00 PM, Drink L.O. 9:30 PM)
※Lunch Time (Weekdays 11:00 AM–3:00 PM)
・Price
: Plane Torokeru hamburger set is 1880 yen ~
・Menu
https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1311/A131103/13294210/dtlphotolst/1/smp2/?PG=4&sby=D&srt=normal
