Japanese-style burgers are a bit more like meatloaf or Salisbury steak rather than your classic grilled beef patty. In this case, the patties are a mix of beef and pork, sauteed onion, garlic, panko, egg, and nutmeg. You pan fry them for a few minutes to get a nice sear going on each side, pour in a sweetened soy or ponzu liquid (I used ponzu, in this case), and cover the pan while they cook through. The sauce reduces down into a thicker consistency which is then poured over the meat upon serving.
The result is a thick but not dense patty - it has a fluffy sort of texture and a very rich flavor, so it pairs well with rice and/or root vegetables. It’s popularly served with grated daikon radish as a topping, which really helps cut through the richness of the sauce.
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