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We have been gripped by the Japanese hamburger steak craze ever since Tokyo’s viral Hikiniku to Come opened at IFC Mall just under two years ago, but securing a reservation for that restaurant feels like an Olympic sport on most days. Even when a second Hikiniku to Come location landed in Tsim Sha Tsui, the frenzy for hambagu has not abated, and now, another major player in the Japanese hambagu space is poised to join the fray in the Hong Kong market – a bit of friendly competition, so to speak.
Keeping things in the family, Yamamoto Hamburg is the down-to-earth, family-focused sister brand to Hikiniku to Come, specialising in – you guessed it – authentic, handmade Japanese hambagu patties served in a variety of ways. Chef Shohei Yamamoto, founder of both Yamamoto Hamburg and Hikiniku to Come, established Yamamoto Hamburg in 2005 – a whole 15 years before Hikiniku to Come entered the picture – basing it on the comforting culinary experiences of his childhood. As a result, Yamamoto Hamburg stands out as a more inclusive dining destination that keeps the same promise of high-quality ingredients, wholesome flavours, and meticulous preparation.
Japanese hambagu dishes are, of course, the main attractions at the new Yamamoto Hamburg. Unlike Hikiniku to Come – which offers a specified A4 Kyushu wagyu hambagu set with sides and only a limited array of add-ons and beverages – Yamamoto Hamburg’s menu is much more diverse. Its signature hambagu patties are made from Australian Black Angus beef and Spanish pork, dressed in a special demi-glace made with miso and dashi for a powerful umami kick. While the Hong Kong restaurant menu is still under wraps, we hope some of Yamamoto Hamburg’s most popular dishes – including the garlic hamburg with yuzu pepper and fried egg hamburg – will make the cut. So far, what we know is that diners can look forward to noshing on the classic feast hamburg and the spicy mentaiko hamburg which are expected to be part of the Hong Kong launch.
Yamamoto Hamburg’s upcoming opening at PopCorn in Tseung Kwan O in February is only the second-ever international outpost of the brand outside of Japan, so this dining experience is still pretty exclusive. Its new restaurant in Hong Kong will span 1,700 sq ft and accommodate up to 60 guests in a modern bistro-inspired space.
“Since opening in Tokyo two decades ago, my vision has been to share the joy of Japanese handmade hamburg – crafted with safe, reliable ingredients and the warmth of home cooking – with the world, so I am delighted to introduce my first hamburg brand, Yamamoto Hamburg, to Hong Kong,” chef Yamamoto shares in an official release. “Compared to the innovative style of Hikiniku to Come, Yamamoto Hamburg presents an authentic daily feast centred upon family and the comforting essence of Japanese dining, just as my mother used to prepare. We chose Tseung Kwan O’s PopCorn Mall as our debut location for the warmth and vibrancy of the local community and its accessibility – a place where everyone can feel at ease and enjoy our delicious hamburgs together.”
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