The Kyoto Whopper is available for a limited time at select Burger King restaurants in Japan. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
East meets West with a new take on the signature flame-grilled offering from Burger King in Japan.
The Kyoto Whopper, a collaboration between Yadaime Gihei, a 230-year-old rice business in Kyoto, the historic former capital of Japan, and the American restaurant chain, introduces a well-seasoned beef patty atop a rice patty grown domestically and developed exclusively for the sandwich, according to the company’s website.
Expect zesty flavors to surge across your taste buds, including Japanese ginger sauce with four types of dashi, or Japanese soup stock, and Japanese spices.
My experience matched the setup. The spices hit the palate and went well with the grilled patty and rice, with the usual crispy lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles.
The combination of rice and hamburger is a common dish found on many lunch and dinner tables throughout Japan.
The Kyoto Whopper combines rice, hamburger and Japanese flavors for a limited time at select restaurants in Japan. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
The rice, a mixture of both white and brown, was soft and chewy as expected, and the seasoning, though a little intense, only slightly overwhelmed the taste of the rice.
Overall, the Kyoto Whopper proved to be a delicious creation by the burger giant.
The sandwich alone at 990 yen — about $6.50, including tax — is probably enough to fill your stomach, but I opted for the meal set that comes with medium fries and a medium drink for 1,290 yen.
The Kyoto Whopper is around for only a limited time, and may not be available at all locations in Japan.
Burger King Japan introduces the Kyoto Whopper, a saucy rice-and-hamburger combination available for a limited time only at selected restaurants in the country. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Kyoto Whopper
Location: Burger King restaurants throughout Japan, though the Kyoto Whopper may not be available at all locations.
Hours: Vary by location.
Prices: 990 yen for sandwich only; 1,290 yen with medium fries and drink.
Dress: Casual
Information: burgerking.co.jp
