Burger King, as the chain makes clear right from the start, is all about hamburgers, the most American of sandwiches. Meanwhile, Kyoto is the most quintessentially traditional Japanese city. In a case of opposites attracting, though, Burger King Japan is rolling out a brand-new Kyoto Whopper, mixing elements of American and Japanese cuisine.
The Kyoto Whopper uses Japanese-grown rice, but not in the way that we’re used to seeing. Whereas typical “rice burgers” use rice as substitutes for the bun, the Kyoto Whopper has a rice patty in addition to an all-beef one, sandwiched inside a sliced bread bun along with lettuce, tomato and onion.
The rice patty is a blend of white rice from this year’s 2024 autumn harvest and genmai (unpolished brown rice). Since Burger King doesn’t have monarchy-level status in the world of rice, the grains are selected by Hachidaime Gihey, a Kyoto rice merchant company that’s been in business since 1787.
▼ Hachidaime Gihey and Burger King (founded in 1954) share a glance at their roots.
The Kyoto Whopper also makes use of an extensive mix of Japanese seasonings, utilizing four different kinds of dashi, the stock ordinarily used for Japanese soups. Bonito, shiitake mushroom, mackerel, and kombu (kelp) dashi all go into the Kyoto Whopper’s soy glaze, as do a quartet of traditional Japanese spices: benison togarashi chili pepper, ginger, sanho (a pepper-like spice with herbal and bitter notes), and chimpi (dried mandarin orange peel).
▼ A visual representation of the spirit of the Burger King/Hachidaime Gihey partnership
The Kyoto Whopper is priced at 990 yen, and though it’ll only be available for a limited time, it’s not limited to Burger King branches in Kyoto, but instead can be purchased nationwide.
Source: PR Times, Burger King Japan
Insert images: PR Times, Burger King Japan
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© SoraNews24
19 Comments
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falseflagsteve
I’m sorry but I can’t see the point of this. Why put rice in a Whopper? That type of sauce also seems quite a queer choice for a burger too.
Ken
It's daijobu, we understand you can't even handle mayo cause it's too spicy
falseflagsteve
Ken
what you chatting about bruv. I eat spicy hot foods almost daily I’ll have you know.
Zaphod
What is "Japanese" about this thing, other than putting some rice in it?
WoodyLee
Wow Looking Good, but rice isn't a Japanese thing rice was and still is the main meal for millions of people across the globe, B. King should offer this in other countries as well it will probably sell well before Mac takes off with the idea.
Gene Hennigh
Fast food is in a different class of cuisine. It's diversity is its strength. Hamburgers, remember, are not American. They came from Hamburg, Germany. So Japan plays to a Japanese audience. American fast food brands are all over the world and are done for the people who live in those countries. Burger King isn't bad, but it is the same old thing in the US. Not much different, though they do have burgers that come and go. Woody Lee, above, is right. Why NOT make this in the US? Why not offer different things at least once in a while? I am an American living in America, and it's always the same. It's good, but always the same. People here complain about too many film sequels and then eat the same old stuff all the time. Lighten up. Enjoy.
bass4funk
True, but it was in the US that the Hamburger became the legend that we all know and love today. in that sense, it is an original masterpiece.
リッチ
The worst fast food chain in Japan. This is just another example of an amazingly horrible idea gone wrong rice on a hamburger.
Zaphod
Gene Hennigh
Where do you get that from? Both the food in its current form and the term were invented in the US. Probably by German immigrants, coming from Hamburg (the biggest harbour), but that is as far as it goes. There is no tradition for American style "hamburgers" in Hamburg.
WoodyLee
The worst fast food chain in Japan. This is just another example of an amazingly horrible idea gone wrong rice on a hamburger.
There are much worse but we can't mention names but here is hint, Pig Bones soup.
WoodyLee
""The worst fast food chain in Japan. This is just another example of an amazingly horrible idea gone wrong rice on a hamburger.""
There are much worse but I can't mention names !! but here is hint, Pig Bones soup.
wallace
Deep-fried rice would be better with a cheese center.
Torelol
Too expensive for junk food. Bad for your wallet, your health and the planet.
OssanAmerica
I'm sure what's meant is Sansho.
OssanAmerica
I don't think so. At least Burger King tastes like a hamburger. Unlike MacDonald's meatloaf sandwiches.
falseflagsteve
Lotería is the worstest for sure, went with me mate yonks ago, never again. Burger was absolutely Valle, never again.
Zaphod
OssanAmerica
A burger is not a meat loaf sandwich??
factchecker
carbs and carbs with a side of carbs. no thanks, I'll stick to the whopper cheese.
Burgerland
Rice in a bun?...dont think so.