Shogun Burger’s massive wagyu beef burgers are Internet famous, at least on TikTok, and particularly those at the restaurant’s primary Tokyo outlet in Shinjuku. But it’s not all hype though: Shogun Burger has good pedigree, as it’s created by Daishogun, a popular yakiniku (barbecue) restaurant in Toyama prefecture that’s been around for about 30 years. So yes, they know their beef.
The patty here is made from coarsely ground Japanese black beef shank that’s been stripped of sinew. And it’s never frozen. Only upon order will the patty be rolled, smashed on a hot iron plate and grilled. It’s then dressed with three sauces: mustard, aurora (a Japanese version of the French sauce, simplified by mixing tomato ketchup and mayonnaise) and wagyu.
At this tiny Shibuya outlet, Shogun’s wagyu beef burgers come in multiple variations – double or triple cheese, with bacon, fried egg and onions, as well as with avocado. For non beef-eaters, you’ll have to stick with the Craft Chicken Burger, but you’re still in for a treat. The whole piece of chicken breast is marinated in buttermilk and 12 different spices, then deep-fried to perfection. The meat still retains its juiciness, making it hard to believe that it’s all breast meat.
Another interesting option on the menu are ‘half burgers’, which are just smaller portions of the full serving, ideal for when you feel like snacking in between meals. The fries are good, crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and with the skin on. The restaurant also serves a small selection of craft beer while soft drinks are self-service and free-flow.