The C&B Original Burger features a thin patty made from ground beef and pork, topped with an egg, lettuce, tomato, onion and a thick slice of bacon, finished with garlicky mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and a cheese dressing. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)
Burgers may trace their origin to Hamburg, Germany, but American tastes continue to embrace new twists on the classic. In Japan, that search often leads to Sasebo, the second-largest city in Nagasaki prefecture and home of the Sasebo Burger.
A byproduct of the American presence established 80 years ago at Sasebo Naval Base, the Sasebo Burger has become a source of local pride. Local restaurants must earn the right to display a signboard featuring the Sasebo Burger Boy character through the Sasebo Burger Certification System.
“In 2003, Sasebo City asked Takashi Yanase to use the Hamburger Kid from ‘Anpanman’ as their image character,” according to tenpostar.com. Yanase instead created a new character specifically for the Sasebo Burger.
While certified restaurants display the same signboard, the Sasebo Burger is not defined by a single recipe or set of toppings. Each establishment prepares its own version, unified more by method than by ingredients.
The Sasebo Burger served at Sasebo C&B Burgers “originated around 1950 when a recipe was passed down from an American soldier serving at a U.S. military base,” the restaurant wrote on its website. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)
While certified restaurants display the same signboard, the Sasebo Burger is not defined by a single recipe or set of toppings. Each establishment prepares its own version, unified more by method than by ingredients. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)
The version served at Sasebo C&B Burgers “originated around 1950 when a recipe was passed down from an American soldier serving at a U.S. military base,” the restaurant wrote on its website.
A Sasebo Burger is “the collective term for a burger that is not pre-prepared but cooked on a hot plate after an order is placed,” according to the site.
That approach resembles Western-style smash burgers, which are typically seasoned, portioned and pressed onto a flat-top grill, with cheese added after the initial flip.
The C&B Original Burger features a thin patty made from ground beef and pork, topped with an egg, lettuce, tomato, onion and a thick slice of bacon, finished with garlicky mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and a cheese dressing.
The bun — decorated with a heart on top — stands out as distinctly American. As the patty is relatively thin, the thick and juicy bacon emerges as the dominant flavor, complemented by crunchy tater tots. The meal, served with a beverage, costs 2,350 yen, or just under $15.
The ABC Burger from Sasebo Burger Museum includes a 100% beef patty, thinly sliced bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, cheese, mustard and mayonnaise on a soft, homemade bun. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)
The Sasebo Burger Museum is a saloon-style restaurant overlooking the Kujuku Islands. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)
Another popular stop is the Sasebo Burger Museum, a saloon-style restaurant overlooking the Kujuku Islands. Its ABC Burger includes a 100% beef patty, thinly sliced bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, cheese, mustard and mayonnaise on a soft, homemade bun.
The seasoned patty anchors the burger, balancing the rich toppings. Served with golden, crispy fries and a beverage, the meal costs 2,000 yen.
But don’t stop there. Sasebo is home to more than 20 restaurants serving their own take on the Sasebo Burger, offering visitors a wide range of flavors rooted in local tradition and international influence.
Sasebo C&B Burgers
Location: Lates Building 1F, 3-1 Shimogyo-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; last order at 7:45 p.m.
Prices: A C&B Original costs less than $15.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A seven-minute walk from Sasebo Station.
Information: Phone: 0956-59-6300; Online: sasebo-burger.com
Sasebo Burger Museum
Location: 190-1 Funakoshicho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, 857-1231
Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last order is 4:30 p.m.
Prices: Expect to pay about $13.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A 15-minute drive from Sasebo Station.
Information: Phone: 0956-28-5533; Online: saseboburger-mus.com
