Karatsu Burger (からつバーガー)

Drive into a coastal pine forest in northern Kyushu, and a red microbus appears among the trees. Customers step up to its door to order, then wait for burgers finished fresh inside. This is Karatsu Burger (からつバーガー), a local hamburger from Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture. The brand traces its start to 1961, a full decade before Japan’s first McDonald’s opened. Below, you will find the current menu, the flavor, and the history. We also cover why the main stand sits inside a nationally managed pine grove, and how to order there today. TOCWhat Is Karatsu Burger? Karatsu Burger is a local hamburger brand that, by its own account, began in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, in 1961. Its best-known stand operates from a red microbus in the Nijinomatsubara pine grove. Each burger pairs a crisp, soft-centered bun with lettuce and a mildly sweet demi-glace. Fillings then vary, from patty and egg to ham and cheese. Quick FactsJapanese nameからつバーガーRegionKaratsu City, Saga Prefecture, northern KyushuBegan1961 (Showa 36), in the Nijinomatsubara pine grove, per the brandSignatureSpecial Burger: bun, egg, cheese, patty, ham, lettuce, and demi-glace sauceKey featuresCompany-made bun finished after ordering; ...