Ask A Local: The Best Burgers in Fukuoka!
Where are the best burgers in Fukuoka City? Contrary to what you might think, there is a vast selection of “Western” style comfort food available to the homesick traveler in Fukuoka City. Guidebooks will tell travelers all about the local specialties but often neglect to alert readers on where to go for a little taste of home. When you need a pause from the flavors of Fukuoka, and want to reset your palate, here’s a list of the best burgers in Fukuoka, compiled by a local resident, friend, and burger connoisseur Scott Melzer:
Notes from Scott:
When I first moved to Japan, I was excited to try all my favorite Japanese foods in the place they were created! After a while though, I started to crave just a little taste of home. Growing up in the suburbs, I was a veteran of many a backyard BBQ. So for me, a taste of home was a nice juicy burger.
Whether it’s on a skillet, open grill, raw onions or caramelized, sesame or brioche bun, I love a good burger! So I made my way through the back alleys and winding streets of Fukuoka, searching for the burger that would take me home, even if just for one meal.
Those travels were worthwhile, my friends, as I managed to find a plethora of places I would frequent many times in my years living here. So in an attempt to help you find your next great burger destination, I have compiled a handful of places I recommend you check out. And without further ado and in no particular order (except for the first which is my favorite) here are some amazing burger joints in Fukuoka:
My favorite burger place in Fukuoka and, coincidentally, the first place I found, is actually one of the earliest gourmet burger places to open up in the city. Tucked down a side street off one of the main drags coming from Tenjin station, this place is quick and easy to get to. They have a wide selection of basic burgers, some of which can be switched for chicken if that’s your thing, but the main draw is their fantastic specially-made burgers. These range from a burger with watercress or arugula to a spicy keema curry burger. If you are having trouble deciding I would suggest getting the Hungry Heaven Special. It weighs in at over a pound with two patties and pretty much the whole garden in fixins’. Or you could go with my favorite the Cheese Cheese Cheese. Comparably simple with three types of cheese, grilled onions, and some mayo. Whatever you decide you won’t be upset so go with what speaks to you. And if you have little ones, they do have a kid's burger with smiley-face fried potatoes!
US Burger
One of the main things I miss from the US is bacon. Japanese bacon is just different enough that it has never tasted quite right to me. So when I found US Burger, I was over the moon, as the owner Jim cures and smokes his own bacon. And let me tell you it is fantastic. He also makes his own BBQ sauce which is sublime. This is all a build-up to say you need to get a BBQ bacon cheeseburger when you visit. He also grinds up and seasons his beef in the house so he has complete quality control and it makes all the difference. Overall the menu is simple but he allows all kinds of customizations. You just need to ask and he can usually accommodate. One note I would be remiss in not mentioning is that Jim is very friendly. This means going in ready for not only a great meal but a pleasant conversation.
Frisco Burger
Out of all the burger places on this list, Frisco Burger is the only place that uses a charcoal grill to cook with. I'm definitely not one of those charcoal purists who will say that it's the only true way to make a great burger. But I will say it certainly gives the burger a different flavor profile. That's what makes this place stand out as it's the only place to get a burger cooked that way, outside of grilling it yourself at a beach bbq pit. That alone gets this place my recommendation but it also helps that he knows how to grill properly too. Nice and juicy and topped with all the basic fixings. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
The Basket
This small burger joint sitting on a jutting-out corner where five streets collide fits its name to a T - you could probably fit it inside a basket if you tried. But don't let the tiny size stop you as its burgers are big on flavor! Along with its more basic burgers, it also has a nice selection of specialty burgers to choose from such as the Mexican and the BBQ Pine Burger. They have two long bars to sit at and while the one facing the window does have a nice view of the five-point intersection outside I recommend the one facing the grill so you get to watch these beautiful burgers get made. If you need something to wash everything down, they also have a great selection of soft drinks and beers, or if you need something a bit stronger, a decent selection of hard liquors.
J.S. Burgers Cafe
This place is located on the second floor of the MarkIs mall near the PayPay Dome and is one of a few places in the mall I actually like to eat at. The basic burgers are decently sized with the toppings you would expect with the option of adding more if you want to customize it a bit. If a regular burger isn’t what you are craving the menu also sports a few specialty burgers like a Tartar Fried Chicken Burger and a Grilled Mushroom Burger. They also have three different kids’ plate options so they can choose between a burger, a sandwich, or chicken nuggets.
The City Bakery Bar & Burger Rubin
On the first floor of Solaria, overlooking the popular Kego Park, this place is billed as a burger joint. You can stop by and get your basic burger or if you are feeling a little bit more adventurous, they have a few other selections you might try like the fish burger or the blue cheese burger. This place has a lamb burger on the menu, and while not very big, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus with its convenient location on the ground floor of Solaria Plaza, it is easy to pop in quickly if you are just switching trains at Tenjin Station.
Kua ‘Aina
This is the Fukuoka branch of a burger chain that originated in Hawaii. And as such, I would definitely recommend getting a burger with some pineapple to make it feel more authentic. Luckily pineapple is available as an extra topping so you can get it on any burger they offer. Ease and authenticity aside, adding pineapple to a burger is always a good move. Speaking of customizing, when ordering your burger you also get to choose between a Kaiser roll or brioche bun, and you can upgrade the patty size to 230g or downsize to 113g! It’s a great way to get a burger size for exactly how hungry you are. This place also has a nice selection of desserts so if your partner isn’t hankering for a burger maybe a plate of fluffy pancakes will fit the bill!
Jucy Lucy
The main draw here over the other places on this list would most certainly be the JucyLucy Burger (now, before you get up on me for my spelling, that is how they spell it so I am just keeping it consistent!) Spelling aside, the difference in this burger is that the cheese comes as the melty molten core of the burger patty so that when you bite into it, the cheese comes flowing out - something you must experience at least once! If a gooey molten cheese core isn’t really making you salivate, you could also try the burger topped with a mound of creamy Mac ’n cheese. Still getting a gooey cheese fix but with a little pasta to balance it out with carbs.
There you have it folks. My list of the burger joints you should try on your next trip to Fukuoka. Or if you are like me and live here, head on over on your next lunch break and get your burger on. This list isn’t all-inclusive and there are places that serve burgers that I did not include but this should help get your Fukuoka burger odyssey started. If you have any favorites that I didn’t mention, please let me know, as I am always ready to try a tasty burger!
- Scott Melzer