As of 2023, a hambāgu craze is taking Japan by storm, with specialty shops sprouting in every nook across the country. Known to the English-speaking world as hamburg steak or hamburger steak, it’s a succulent patty typically made from a mix of ground meat and savory seasonings, served without the bun that characterizes its fast-food cousin.
“Hamburger Steak Restaurant Hamburg & Hamburg” (hereinuder referred to as “Hamburg & Hamburg”) offers this beloved comfort food with a delightful twist—promising “hamburger steak you’ll want to enjoy every day.”
Patrons get to choose from a palette of 10 sauces, making each visit a new adventure in flavor. The mix-and-match possibilities have Instagram users excited!
“デミグラス,” Demi-Glace (Left); “チーズ,” Cheese (Right)
Fancy a fried egg crowning your hamburger steak? Or perhaps a slice of avocado or a side of sausage? With over 66 sauce and topping tangoes, your perfect plate could be any combination.
Ticket machine with English also listed
For the uninitiated wandering into this sauce panorama, worry not. The shop’s recommended sauce pairings are a perfect starting point.
Cheese and demi-glace sauce: The dynamic duo of deliciousness
In the lineup of sauces at Hamburg & Hamburg, their demi-glace sauce—a savory reduction rich with the essence of red wine and umami—is a standout. However, the five-cheese sauce is the true crowd-pleaser. The creamy, luxurious blend has earned its spot as the top favorite. Together, they’re a sensational sauce match-up.
Don’t miss out on topping your hamburger steak with a sunny-side-up egg, especially when it’s paired with this popular duo! The runny yolk melds perfectly with the demi-glace and cheese, creating an exquisite combination that’s doubly tasty.
デミグラス＆チーズのハンバーグ （１５０g）,” Hamburger Steak (Demi-glace and Cheese) 150g 1,630 JPY (tax included); “目玉焼き,” Fried Egg 100 JPY (tax included)
The sizzling spectacle is served on a hot iron plate, keeping every bite as warm as the first. But even before you take that first bite, the aroma of the bubbling sauce is sure to whet any appetite. It’s a delightful dish you must try on your first visit.
At Hamburg & Hamburg, every hamburger steak is made with premium Black Angus chuck, combining both minced and cubed cuts to capture that steak-like juiciness. You’re in control here: pick from medium-rare to well-done to suit your taste.
Experiment with the various sauces and cooking levels to find your ultimate hamburger steak experience!
Avocado affair: The creamy meets the dreamy
Grilled avocado is one of the top picks for toppings here, as the heat from grilling amplifies its natural buttery flavor, making it an even tastier complement to the hamburger steak. It’s versatile too, pairing well with various sauces, but for a special treat, try it with the “Garlic Tomato” or “Pepper” sauces.
“ガーリックトマト＆ペッパーのハンバーグ（１５０g）,” Hamburger Steak (Garlic Tomato & Pepper) 150g 1,630 JPY (tax included); “アボカド,” Avocado 250 JPY (tax included)
The Garlic Tomato sauce lets you savor the natural sweetness and just the right amount of tang from the tomatoes. It’s given an exciting twist with garlic, offering a refreshing taste that’s also tantalizingly spicy. As for the Pepper sauce, it’s known for the robust punch of black pepper and a hint of nutty flavor. These sauces are not just rich; they dance beautifully with the creamy avocado, turning your steak into an indulgent feast you won’t want to miss!
“ガーリックトマト,” Garlic Tomato (Left); “ペッパー,” Pepper (Right)
At Hamburg & Hamburg, ordering a hamburger steak means you get rice and a side dish as a set. And here’s a bonus: the rice comes with free refills. The savory flavors of their sauces are so well-suited to rice that it’s not uncommon to find yourself eating more than usual.
For the ‘gram: the picture-perfect plate
A particularly eye-catching sauce pairing for the Instagram-savvy is “Mentaiko Cream” and “Tororo Wasabi.” Here, your hamburger steak gets a vibrant splash of green and pink—a unique visual treat you won’t often find elsewhere. The colors represent mentaiko, a spicy marinated pollock roe, and wasabi, adding a zesty kick to tororo, grated mountain yam. This duo promises a plate that’s as unusual as it is photogenic.
“めんたいクリーム＆とろろわさびのハンバーグ（１５０g）,” Hamburger Steak (Mentaiko Cream & Tororo Wasabi) 150g 1,630 JPY (tax included)
Mentaiko Cream allows you to enjoy the unique pop of mentaiko’s cod roe texture, making it an excellent match for hamburger steak. The unusual Tororo Wasabi is a light sauce that lets you enjoy the distinctive flavor of wasabi.
Tororo Wasabi
Umami Bites writer Bensky weighed in with enthusiasm:
A uniquely Japanese hambāgu experience. Both mentaiko and wasabi go perfectly with hamburger steak. In fact, this combo might be my favorite!
Once you’ve savored your meal, don’t forget the bread on the table—it’s perfect for scooping up any remaining sauce. And with flavors like spinach and carrot, it’s a tasty way to make sure no drop of deliciousness goes to waste.
Bread dipped in Mentaiko Cream sauce
Apart from the mentioned pairings, Hamburg & Hamburg offers an assortment of other sauces, including “Curry” and a tangy citrus-soy “Ponzu” with grated daikon radish. Staying true to their idea of a hamburger steak you can enjoy daily, the diverse selections promise a fresh and delightful eating adventure with each visit.
Information
| Store name | ハンバーグとはんばーぐ Hamburger Steak Restaurant Hamburg & Hamburg |
|---|---|
| Address | Shibuya Miyashita Park Building 1F, 1-24-7 Shibuya-ku, Shibuya, Tokyo
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| Access |
Shibuya Station（SBY）Short walk from Shibuya Station Exit B2
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| Phone number | 03-6427-1029 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 11:00-21:00（last order 20:30） |
| Closed | No holidays |
| Seating | 14 counter seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/hamburgandhamburg/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of October 2023.
