Japanese Hamburger Steak, called Hambāgu (ハンバーグ), is not exactly traditional Japanese food but rather a Western-style dish, similar to Tonkatsu. It is an extremely popular home-cooked meal and a staple dinner dish in many households. The pan-fried, tender steak served with a rich brown sauce is loved by Japanese people of all ages, especially young children.
What’s Japanese Hamburger Steak (Hambāgu)?
Japanese Hamburger Steak, or Hambāgu (ハンバーグ), is different from the American hamburger, which is typically made of only beef, without binder ingredients, and served in a bun. The texture of Hambāgu is closer to that of meatloaf in the United States.
- The dish has its origins in early 18th-century Hamburg, Germany, where Hamburger Steak was made by mixing minced meat with breadcrumbs and cooking it.
- Hamburger Steak was introduced to Japan around 1900s, but it became widely popular and a staple in home cooking by the 1960s.
- The Japanese version is made by mixing ground meat—usually a blend of half pork and half beef—with panko breadcrumbs and eggs, resulting in a light, tender patty that’s soft enough to eat with chopsticks.
- While Hambāgu is a common home-cooked meal, it’s also widely available in many restaurants across Japan, including family restaurants (famiresu ファミレス) and old-style cafes (kissaten 喫茶店). The dish’s popularity has even led to specialty restaurants dedicated solely to Hamburger Steak.
What does Hamburger Steak taste like?
- Japanese Hamburger Steak is made from a mixture of pork and beef, combined with fillers like panko and egg, resulting in a juicy and tender ground meat patty.
- The basic Japanese Hamburger Steak is typically served with a brown sauce made from ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. This sauce is not the same as barbecue sauce but has a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the meat.
- Another popular option, especially at restaurants, is demi-glace sauce—a rich, thick brown sauce made by reducing beef stock. This luxurious sauce adds a deep, savory flavor to the dish.
Ingredients and substitutions
- A typical Japanese Hamburger Steak is made with a mix of 50% beef and 50% pork. While you can use 100% beef, the taste will be slightly stronger and meatier. Alternatively, ground chicken can be used, resulting in a softer texture and a slightly different flavor.
- If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs on hand, regular bread works as a substitute—simply tear it into small pieces, soak it in milk for a little longer, and mash it before mixing it into the meat.
How to store Hamburger Steak?
It’s a great dish to make in bulk and freeze for later. Prepare a double batch, shape the patties, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and freeze. They will keep well for at least a couple of months. When ready to use, defrost them in the fridge the day before and cook as instructed in the recipe.
What to serve with Hamburger Steak?
Hamburger Steak makes an excellent dinner dish and can be part of a complete meal when served with steamed rice, miso soup, and vegetable side dishes.
More recipes like Hamburger Steak
- Cheese Hamburger Steak
- Tofu Hamburger Steak
- Nikomi Hamburger Steak
- Hamburger Steak with Daikon Oroshi
Video
A full recipe video is also available in the recipe box below and on our YouTube channel.
Hamburger Steak
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Panko bread crumb
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 medium onion (chopped fine)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pepper
- 1 tsp worcester sauce
- 2 tsp oil
Hamburger Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup worcester sauce
- 4 Tbsp sake (or wine)
Instructions
- Put Panko in a large bowl, add milk and stir.
- Add meat, onion, egg, salt, pepper and worcester sauce to the Panko mixture. Mix with your hands very well.
- Divide the meat into 4 pieces and roll into oval balls. Push down to flat steaks and make an indentation in the middle. (if you would like to freeze some, wrap each steaks with plastic.)
- Heat oil in a frying pan at medium temperature, place the patties in the hot oil, and fry for 4-5 minutes on one side. Flip over and fry for 3-4 minutes covered until cooked through.
- Meanwhile mix ketchup and worcester sauce in a bowl.
- Uncover the pan, add sake, then ketchup sauce, and cook for 30 seconds.
Video
This recipe was originally published in May 2012. The post was updated on January 29, 2025 with more useful content, new photos and a short video.
27 Comments
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I tried it tonight for dinner, and my husband and I really enjoyed it. I love your website and look forward to trying more recipes!
Thank you for trying our recipe! I’m glad to hear that you and your husband enjoyed it!
Good work, keep it up!
Hi, I used to love this when I was living in japan. My question is, what do you normally serve this with? thank you!:-)
May,
you can serve it with shredded cabbage, miso soup, and steamed rice.
I made this last week, everyone loved it, it is very easy and tasty. I want to ask though, if i want to save some, do i put them in the fridge after or before frying?
Thanks!
Jose,
before you cook wrap well and freeze.
Can u use Italian bread crumbs?
Simon,
should be fine.
Can I use only ground beef or ground pork for the recipe instead of both?
Alvin,
sure.
can i not use the worcester sauce and sake? i dont have any on hand
anny,
it’s ok not use them, but your sauce is going to be mere ketchup.
This is something my husband and I enjoyed while living in Japan, but the biggest surprise was that my beef-hating son ate two patties (with plain ketchup instead of the sauce). Thanks for the recipe, I will be using it again!
Muriah,
thanks for trying our Hamburger Steak recipe! Come back for more recipes.
Dear Yuko and Noriko
I just want to Thank You for sharing all these amazing recipes. Your videos are easy to follow and gives me the confidence that I can cook it too! My hamburger steak came out looking ok and I was surprised when I cut it with a fork, the inside is moist, so delicious…I really love your website and have shared the link with some friends. I’m looking forward to try your other recipes, you both are now my sensei in Japanese cooking! Arigato ne…
Regards, Zenn
Zenn,
glad you liked our Hamburger Steak recipe! Spread the words about Japanese Cooking 101 to the world~!
I love this recipe! It is so easy and delicious. I am making it now as I type!
JULIA,
glad you liked our Hamburger Steak! Come back for more recipes!
This doesn’t taste like the hamburger steaks I had at “Family Restaurants” in Japan. It tastes just like plain ol’ meatloaf.
Joseph,
I’m sorry that our Hamburger Steak didn’t meet your expectations. We have a lot of tasty recipes and hope you can find your favorite!
does it matter what kind of wine we use?
No. We use Sake, but you could use cooking wine, too.
Just made it for myself and two kids! Added sautéed onions and mushrooms and it is Delish! Thank you! Is the shredded cabbage as a side cooked? Or raw?
Christina,
It’s raw cabbage, but it is very good when sliced finely.
You say Worcester but do you mean Worchester?
My phone messed up my question. I meant to ask if you meant worcestershire sauce.