Anyone know how to make a decent teriyaki burger?
I was deeply in love with the teriyaki burgers at Trader Vic's in the International Market Place in Honolulu. Best burger in the world. Anyhow, god know, I've tried to replicate it, but with the most dismal results. They have a cookbook available online, but there's no TOC for me to check if it's on it, and since it's more of a kitchy party book, I'm kinda doubting its there or I'd just buy it.
So, does anyone make an awesome teriyaki burger? And will share the recipe? Please? It's been dogging my for years. My dad, still a resident, was sent on a mission years ago. His super-secret-restaurant-spy findings? "My girlfriend says it tastes like a sweet teriyaki burger. You know I don't eat meat." This does not help.
So please, anyone?
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8 Comments:
I may be no help, but when I make it at home, I use Lawry's liquid teriyaki marinade and mix it in with the ground meat.
TequilaSheila at 12:24AM on 03/11/08
I checked Trader Vic's Book of Food & Drink as well as Trader Vic's Helluva Man's Cookbook, so you can eliminate those two. I was excited when I saw a recipe for Japanese hamburger in the index, but all that was was a recommendation to slosh some sake into a standard burger.
Barbara Hanson at 9:44AM on 03/11/08
I've never had the Trader Vic's version, so I have no idea if this compares, but we use the bottled teriyaki sauce with the purple label on it (KC Masterpiece, maybe? We like it because it's a thick sauce, not runny.) and mix it with the ground meat before forming the patties. We then put more of the sauce on top of the cooked burger and add grilled pineapple. Tasty and the kids love them!
jmoilanen at 12:55PM on 03/11/08
Maybe Adam Kuban can use his Cheeseburger Charms or his network of Burger Buddies to get an approximation of your beloved Trader Vic's teriyaki burger (is it actually called the Polynesian Kobe Burger or is it called the Teriyaki Burger?).
wookie at 3:05AM on 03/12/08
@wookie - awesome idea. It's was actually called a Teriyaki Burger, but it's from, like, 20 years ago, at least.
I gotta go bug Sr. Kuban. Thanks for the idea.
chisai at 1:59PM on 03/12/08
@Chisai: I just posted a question to the A Hamburger Today readers in general; I hope someone out there has the answer. I've also tried to get in touch with Trader Vic's executive corporate chef. Fingers crossed ...
Adam Kuban at 2:47PM on 03/12/08
@adam, wookie - I love you both. Thanks!
chisai at 2:56PM on 03/12/08
Oh man, I wish I could help! I LOVE teri burgers, and there are so many teriyaki things in Hawaii! Too bad I'm not there now. We usually eat May's brand teri burgers, but I don't know if you can buy them outside of Hawaii. It seems like a lot of teriyaki sauce involves shoyu (soy sauce) and sugar though.
thebluedot at 3:17PM on 03/12/08