Hambāgu, or hamburger steaks, are incredibly popular in Japan.
These succulent hamburger patties have undergone a somewhat unique evolution of their own in Japan, making them stand out compared to their overseas counterparts.
“Steak and Japanese beef Matsuya Seinikuten” (hereunder referred to as “Matsuya Seinikuten”) is a hamburger steak restaurant that offers the perfect place to enjoy the distinctive Japanese take on the dish.
Not only do the ingredients, but also the creatively crafted sauces, make the hamburger steaks here something special to savor!
“ハンバーグ定食 レギュラー定食,” Hamburger Steak Set 1,580 JPY (tax included)
Luxurious hamburger steaks made exclusively with Japanese beef
When you visit Matsuya Seinikuten, the first thing that catches your eye are the hamburger steaks sizzling on the grill.
During lunchtime, the restaurant is bustling with customers, and many hamburger steaks line the grill, filling the air with an enticing aroma.
The hamburger steaks at Matsuya Seinikuten are made from 100% domestically produced beef, and are distinctly characterized by the rich umami of the meat, the sweetness of the fat, and a firm texture.
To retain that firm texture, the meat is intentionally minced coarsely, providing a robust chew.
When you cut the hamburger steaks in half, meaty juices overflow, showcasing their succulence.
Sauces play an essential role in enhancing the flavor of hamburger steaks.
At Matsuya Seinikuten, you can choose from four sauces: “Onion Sauce,” “Garlic” (literally “steak sauce” in Japanese), “Citrus” (ponzu sauce with grated daikon radish), and “Demi-glace.”
(top left) “おろしポン酢” Citrus, (top right) “オニオンソース” Onion Sauce, (bottom left) “ステーキソース” Garlic Sauce, (bottom right) “デ味噌ース” Demi-glace Sauce
The most popular choice at the restaurant is the Onion Sauce. The sweetness of sautéed onions really accentuates the umami of the meat.
The Garlic Sauce offers a bold and robust flavor, with a more punchy taste compared to the Onion Sauce.
For either of the two sauces, it’s recommended you pour them generously over the hamburger steak while it sizzles on the hot griddle!
The combination of meaty juices and sauce unlocks a more profound and delightful flavor.
The Citrus option uses the restaurant’s special ponzu sauce, making it the most refreshing sauce among the four. The bracing flavor of ponzu is irresistible.
The original Demi-glace Sauce is made using hatchō miso, a type of miso exclusively made from soybeans without rice or wheat, and has sweetness as well as a rich flavor.
Both of these options are perfect to use as dipping sauces for cuts of your hamburger steak. Enjoy not only the umami of the meat but also savor the deliciousness of the condiments!
Matsuya Seinikuten’s hamburger steaks and white rice are a match made in heaven!
The restaurant’s dedication to its craft extends beyond just their hamburger steaks.
Matsuya Seinikuten is contracted with a specialist known as a Rice Meister who possesses extensive knowledge about rice. This partnership enables the restaurant to offer meticulously selected white rice to its customers.
While the white rice is delicious to have on its own, pairing it with a hamburger steak is the way to go! The sweetness of the white rice adds an extra dimension to the flavor of the meat.
Their original curry that satisfies even the biggest of spice lovers is a must
Matsuya Seinikuten may be known for their hamburger steaks, but the curry they serve goes toe to toe with specialized curry shops in terms of deliciousness.
“肉屋のインディアンカレー（辛口）,” Indian Curry (Hot) 1,180 JPY (tax included)
The “Indian Curry (Hot)” is rich in flavor with a generous mix of dozens of spices. Just one bite, and you’ll start to feel a subtle sweat on your forehead. As you continue eating, your tastebuds will be tingling with a spicy sensation.
What sets Matsuya Seinikuten’s curry apart from others is not just the spiciness but the depth of flavor. The reason for this rich taste lies in the addition of chutney made from high-sugar vegetables and fruits. The combination of spiciness, tartness, and sweetness adds layers to the overall flavor.
For those who aren’t fond of too much heat, the “Salty Potage Curry” topped with a potato and onion potage made from salt kōji comes recommended. The sweetness of the potage really helps to mellow out the spiciness.
At Matsuya Seinikuten, all ingredients are selected and prepared with special care
Matsuya Seinikuten originally started as a butcher’s shop with a history spanning over 100 years since its establishment in the Meiji era. Its current incarnation as a restaurant was opened with the fifth-generation owner’s desire to create an eatery and share his shop’s offerings with as many people as possible.
In addition to the current locations in Okachimachi and Akihabara, a new store was opened in the Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai shopping and entertainment complex in February 2024.
At Matsuya Seinikuten, they adhere to the belief that “all food reaching the customer’s mouth should be something crafted with dedication.” They carefully select ingredients such as their hamburger steaks and white rice and prepare the sauces in-house.
Despite such dedication to craft, the menu at Matsuya Seinikuten is reasonably priced. Their flagship dish, the Hamburger Steak Set, has varying prices depending on the number of hamburger steaks: one piece, two pieces, or three pieces.
Even the highest-priced three-piece set comes in at 2,100 JPY (including tax).
They attribute their ability to maintain cost-effectiveness to their unique sourcing of domestic beef through their butcher shop’s exclusive channels.
In a Japan where inflation continues, providing dishes that maintain quality while remaining affordable is no easy feat. You can really sense the efforts of Matsuya Seinikuten as a whole to achieve this balance.
Matsuya Seinikuten’s exterior
Information
| Store name | ハンバーグ専門店 松屋精肉店 Steak and Japanese beef Matsuya Seinikuten |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-4-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Suehirochō Station 3-minute walk from Exit 3
Okachimachi Station 4-minute walk from Okachimachi Station South Exit Akihabara Station（AKB） 10-minute walk from Akihabara Electric Town Exit |
| Phone number | 03-5846-8806 |
| Reservations | Accepted at dinnertime only Phone |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 11:30-14:30（last order 14:00）, 17:00-22:00（last order 21:30） Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays 11:30-15:30（last order 15:00）, 17:00-21:00（last order 20:30） |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 19 seats 5 counter seats, 14 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/hamburg.matsuya/?hl=ja |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of February 2024.
