If you are not familiar with the Japanese dish hambagu (ハンバーグ), it’s not your typical grilled hamburger served on a bun. On the contrary, Japanese hambagu is a thick, ground meat hamburger steak that’s cooked in a frying pan, then served with some kind of sauce and eaten with a knife and fork. I’ve already shared the classic Hambagu recipe with a thick, luxurious sauce that includes butter, ketchup, red wine, and tonkatsu sauce (or Worcestershire sauce). Today, I’ll introduce you to Wafu Hambagu (和風ハンバーグ) with a thin and light sauce that has a decidedly Japanese flavor profile. You’ll love its refreshing and satisfying taste!
What is Wafu Hambagu?
Wafu hambagu is a pan-fried hamburger steak served with grated daikon and shiso leaves on top. It’s drizzled with a thin, Japanese style sauce that comes in a few variations such as dashi + soy sauce, mentsuyu, or ponzu. Today, I used a ponzu base because its aroma and citrus flavor works really well with refreshing daikon. Together, they refresh your palate while you enjoy the succulent meat. I love this sauce quite a bit! You can also use this sauce for steak and other meaty dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
juicy and scrumptious patty – the secret is in the combination of ground meats refreshing flavors – grated daikon and citrus-soy sauce are a bright contrast to the meat’s richness versatile sauce – goes well with many other types of protein!
Secret to Great Tasting Wafu Hambagu
The key for Japanese hamburger steak is always to use the combination of both ground beef and pork. This is the secret for juicy and flavorful meat patties. If you use only ground beef, you will definitely taste the difference. Beef only patties are drier and has less flavor compared to ones that also includes ground pork.
Ingredients for Wafu Hambagu
For the Hamburger Patty
onion neutral oil – divided, for cooking the onion and hamburger steaks panko bread crumbs milk ground beef ground pork large egg garlic clove – crushed or minced nutmeg Diamond Crystal kosher salt freshly ground black pepper
For the Toppings
daikon radish – use the top green part that‘s sweet and less bitter shiso leaves (perilla/ooba) – or scallion/green onion
For the Sauce
ponzu – store-bought or make Homemade Ponzu Sauce sugar yuzu kosho (Japanese citrus chili paste) – optional, for a citrusy, spicy kick
How To Make Wafu Hambagu
Other Hambagu Recipes You’ll Love
Classic Japanese Hamburger Steak (Hambagu) Stewed Hamburger Steak (Nikomi Hambagu) Cheese-stuffed Japanese Hamburger Steak Hamburger Steak Bento
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