Hambagu @ Grill Omiya, JR Hakata City, Fukuoka

 

Well I think everyone knows by now that I am a bit obsessed with burgers. However, this post is a little different as we will pay a visit to the Japanese cousin of the burger, the hanbagu. More well known outside of Japan as the Hamburg steak, the hanbagu is actually considered the ancestor of the current servings we get from most fast food joints these days. It is more true to the original version of the dish, which is made of meat, breadcrumbs, and various vegetables. A giant meatball of sorts. It is also a bit ironic that one of the better establishments in Fukuoka that sells this delicacy is located near my favourite burger joint BBM (click here to read more).

The classic plastic fixture. 

Being a grill house, Omiya has a bevy of meaty treats to try. But since their trademark is their hanbagu, then it is just very obvious that this dish is the focus of today. Unlike the modern burger, the hanbagu is eaten as a main alongside rice and vegetable, a standard plating tradition in Japanese food. Despite respecting tradition, old habits die hard. And as such, I got myself a cheese topping for mine. Oh the calories! The standard patty is 1380 yen with a sauce of your choice and comes with the aforementioned rice and soup. The cheese was for an additional 200 yen. With regards to the choice of sauce, I got myself the barbecue. 

Such beauty

Served sizzling hot on an actual sizzler plate, the smell from this meaty monster was incredible. It had a roast-beef sort of aroma, and the infusion of spices that were used to season the patty filled the air with an infectious scent. The charring of the barbecue sauce also added more depth to the olfactory experience. 

Juicy

With just one stroke of a knife, the patty just gives away like melted butter, and the juices from it flowed out just the same. It was simply a great sight. And each bite was just great. The meat was tender and yet, you can feel the grains of the meat. 

This was a welcomed companion

The flavour on this was great too. The meat used was really fresh. The barbecue sauce added some sweetness to the dish and a different texture overall. The cheese to me, felt like an essential bit than an optional one. The saltiness and creaminess of the cheese help balance out the strong flavours of the patty. Being such a flavourful experience, the rice that came with it was a welcomed companion. it helped temper the flavours a bit and help carry some of that tasty juices. The soup was not too bad too. It was a simple vegetable soup, but it help clear things out and was a good palate cleanser.

Simple but effective

This was a simple but at the same time pretty interesting meal. I did not expect the meat patty to be so flavourful. Definitely made by someone who cares about their food. It is on a premium side when it comes to hanbagu, since it is a common staple in famiresu and curry fast food outlets. But be that as it may, the quality is so distinct and special. It is an easy recommendation if you would like a fancy meaty treat. So if you would like to find it out for yourself, then the address is as follows:

〒812-0012 Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Hakataekichuogai, 1−1 アミュプラザ 9階

Front of the house