Japan’s Top 5 Regional Burgers of 2022

Seikatsu Guide.com, a website operated by Wave Dash Inc. that supports local communities, has announced the Top 5 of its 37th annual “Regional Burger Rankings”, selected with user votes*.

Today we are going to tell you a little about these 5!

1. Sasebo Burger

Perhaps the burger that Japanese people most often associate with ご当地バーガー gotōchi bāgā or “regional burger”, is the 佐世保バーガー Sasebo Burger, born in the city of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.

The Sasebo Burger must contain fresh raw vegetables and their original sauce. There are more than 25 restaurants serving Sasebo burgers in the city, each with its own original interpretation.

When you come to the city of Sasebo, be sure to try a delicious local burger! They can even try several different restaurants and compare them!

These are some of the comments from those who voted for this famous regional burger:

“Fresh raw vegetables and original sauce make it look healthy. Good value for money” (70-year-old man)

“I saw it when I was hungry, so I couldn’t resist the look of the generous portion and wanted to eat it! The fresh vegetables and thick bacon sticking out are very appetizing” (female in her 30s)

“I can’t forget the taste of the Sasebo burger I ate once” (female in her 30s).

Sasebo is said to be the birthplace of the hamburger in Japan, first sold near the US Fleet Activities Sasebo around the 1950s after a US naval officer shared the recipe . Later, many hamburger businesses were established and each one added their own unique twist to it. The Sasebo Burger is now loved as the soul food of the citizens of Sasebo.

2. Chitose Burger (tie)

Tied with “Yokosuka Navy Burger” (see below) in second place we have 千歳バーガー “Chitose Burger” from 千歳 Chitose, the city with the largest egg production in Hokkaido.

If you like the egg, you have to try it. The Chitose Burger requires the use of the famous eggs produced in the city of Chitose, and local restaurants provide their own interpretation based on how they prepare the eggs. You will find versions with fried eggs, scrambled eggs, eggs in tartar sauce, etc. Find your favorite Chitose Burger when you visit the area!

2. Yokosuka Marina Burger (tie)

Tied for second place was the ヨコスカネイビーバーガー Yokosuka Navy Burger. This local burger from the city of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, famous for its US military base, is an adaptation of a traditional Navy burger recipe sent as a token of friendship.

This great burger is made from 100% lean beef, simply cooked and served authentic American style with ketchup and mustard. When you eat it, you feel as if you have traveled to the USA.

4. Toburger

In fourth place was とばーがー Toburger, a local burger from 鳥羽市 Toba City, Mie Prefecture.

The Toburger requires that local ingredients from the city of Toba be used. A wide variety of burgers with Toba specialties, mainly marine products such as octopus, lobsters, peat shells and abalone, are available in various restaurants in the city. For example, the Exquisite Abalone Steak Burger, which is available by reservation only, is a great-looking Toburger that includes a whole abalone steak. It is a dream burger that abalone lovers should order at least once in their life!

5. Onomachi Komachi Ice Cream Burger

Not all burgers are salty. In fifth place was a dessert burger, the おのまち小町アイスバーガー Onomachi Komachi Ice Cream Burger from 小野町 Onomachi City, Fukushima Prefecture, featuring ice cream sandwiched between fragrant grilled buns.

Sold at local Onomachi supermarkets for over 30 years, it’s a nostalgic treat for locals. Currently, it is offered in three stores in the city, with each store offering different flavors, like the ones seen above with chocolate sauce and strawberry sauce. There are also versions with traditional Japanese ingredients and seasonal flavors. Try some when you pass through Onomachi!

And you, which one would you like to try? Tell us in the comments!