Burger King, Kawagoe バーガーキング、川越

Not an izakaya, I know, and not really a restaurant or even a true “burger bar” for that matter. Certainly not as interesting, or creative, as Giggle or Blacows. Nonetheless, the festive season afforded a rare excuse and opportunity to visit a Burger King after many years.

Back in the old country I used to enjoy Burger King, often preferring the more “natural,” grilled taste of their burgers to McDonald’s’ fare, although the latter’s fries were undoubtedly superior.

Burger King has endured a rough ride in Japan, famously having left these blessed isles with its tail between its legs after failing to tempt the Japanese public away from homegrown chains or the pleasures of the Golden Arches, only to return, Ikea-like, for a second round.

Anyhow, back in November of last year I read an article concerning the then imminent release of a limited edition, pizza-like burger measuring a kingly 22cm in diameter. I could hardly contain my excitement. Of course, I then promptly forgot all about it, until in late-December chance had it that while strolling along the ridiculously lengthy shōtengai that is the highlight of contemporary Kawagoe (in stark contrast to the wooden facades and traditional wares of “little Edo,” as the more historic quarter is known) my dining partners and I chanced upon a distant Burger King outpost. I’ll not bore you (any further) with needless descriptions of the outlet itself; they are much of a muchness after all.

The NY Pizza Burger itself however merits some description, if only to try and make sense of my disappointment. Upon ordering we were informed that it would take about seven minutes to prepare, which only heightened my expectations. It arrived, just as watching chain-smoking country types was becoming boring, in a large pizza box. The burger itself was smaller than I’d imagined, and not nearly as deep nor succulent as, for example, a Double Whopper. In fact, the appearance was plain, somewhat dry looking and most certainly lacking in volume. The taste, too, was disappointing, being flavoured like pizza. Perhaps I should have guessed…  Pizza-flavour burger was just weird. Enough said.

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