Behind the Counter at a Japanese Burger Shop with 50+ Wild Burgers

Behind the Counter at a Japanese Burger Shop with 50+ Wild Burgers

This is behind the counter at a local Japanese burger shop. and I wanted to show you this burger shop behind me. They make some of the most unique burgers, so I had to definitely take you behind the counter and show you how they all do it. All we have to do now is wait for the owner to arrive. Today, I’m taking you deep into the kitchen at Burger Factory, a fairly new hamburger spot run by a young and local Japanese couple in Tokyo. They’ve got over 50 kinds of burgers, including some wild, wild creations like a melon pond burger and a melty cheesecoated burger. Inspired by a love for American culture, this spot pays homage to the classic burger joint. But when it comes to crafting burgers, the owner’s meticulous Japanese sensibilities take over, resulting in beautifully assembled, clean finished creations that may contrast a typical American style. With a fun and positive vibe, this place has quickly become a go-to hangout for many locals. Good morning. That’s the owner, Kawasan, and his wife. He started the shop 6 years ago, and his wife works with him every day. Hey, the store opens at 11:30, which means that they have about 1 hour of morning prep from now. [Music] So, how long have you guys been married? Oh, awesome. So, whose idea was it to open the shop? That’s amazing. What did she do before? Oh, wow. What kind of music? Dope. During his college years, he discovered two passions that would shape his life. Music through the guitar and creating burgers. But when his band broke up later on, he made the difficult decision to step away from his musical career. And rather than lose his creative spark, he redirected it, channeling the same passion and energy into the world of burgers. The medium changed from chords and melodies to buns and patties. But the mission remained the same. To create something meaningful and bring joy to others through his craft. [Music] Oh, one of the workers is here. Good morning. [Music] That’s the meat for their pulled pork, and it smells incredible. They dry rub it with their original spice mix and let it rest overnight. Now it’s slow cooking at low heat for 5 to 6 hours until it becomes so tender it practically melts and falls apart on its own. Hi. Have you worked here for a long time? Wow. How’d you find the job? She’s been working at the shop now for 5 years, eventually becoming the teno, aka store manager. She originally wanted to learn how to open her own restaurant, but she fell in love with the shop spirit and culture, and instead of moving on, she chose to stay, becoming an integral part of their story. So, you love burgers, right? What’s your favorite? [Music] Wa! Intense. What about when you’re not working here? That’s your thing? Nice. [Music] Nice. That’s a meat for their patties. A blend of Australian chuck eye roll with Japanese beef fat and coarsely minced to create their signature rich and meaty texture. So, how was it in the beginning? [Music] With no background in business, every step was uncharted territory. He recalls the challenges of juggling costs, ingredients, staff wages, utilities, all while refusing to compromise on quality. The pressure was real, but through every step back and hard-earned lesson, he held tight to the passion that sparked the journey in the first place, letting it guide him through challenging times. [Music] Hi. How long have you worked here? So why here? How’s it working here? Cool. Oh, what kind? What do you do now then? Which game? Cool. [Music] At 11:30, the shop is finally open for business. And right at the opening, there’s already a customer. Oh, and Kawasan is already making a burger for deliveries. Not too long ago, dei aka food delivery options were severely limited. But the pandemic forever changed Japan’s food delivery culture as food delivery technologies quickly advanced and made it more convenient. [Music] Nice. The first order is in. I guess they ordered a burger and a sandwich. So what was the original inspiration for all this? Although hamburgers are not a traditional Japanese food, he says that when he took a trip to California many years ago, he fell in love with the taste and now blends the bold, juicy American burger with his own Japanese nature of subtlety and attention to detail. Before I show you more of how So, you’re the store manager here, huh? Congratulations. So, as a store manager, what’s the most important thing for you? She recalls how Kawasan’s wife showed her firsthand the quiet power of a motini, the Japanese spirit of hospitality, rooted in genuine care by treating guests with sincere respect and anticipating their needs without expecting anything in return. a culture deeply rooted in Japanese society and practiced not only in customer service but also in daily life, helping to foster strong relationships. So, did you ever imagine yourself working in a burger shop? I see. Oh, I’m so happy for you guys. [Music] [Music] A little before noon, the tables are filled and the kitchen gets busier than ever. [Music] It’s incredible to watch them in action, crafting the burgers in rapid succession. Each one flawless, operating like a finely tuned burger pit group, where precision, speed, and teamwork all come together under pressure. always like this. In fact, it was only in its second year when it finally started to gain its stride. But that’s when the pandemic struck, threatening to bring it all to a halt. As many neighboring businesses around them closed down, Kawson, his wife, and their small team held the line, pouring everything they had into keeping the dream alive. They persevered, and today that unshakable and resilient unity is the heart of everything they do. They look busy. So, let’s go talk to some customers. Hi, can I ask you a question? What are you eating? How is it? Do you always order that? Cool. Thanks. Excuse me. Do you come here often? Sometimes. Ah, okay. Nice. What’s your favorite? Awesome. Thank you. [Music] Wow. That’s a waffle burger with their signature beef patty, cream cheese, bacon, bacon jam, jalapenos, and finished off with maple sauce. It looks incredible. And his recent creation is this melon pond burger. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this anywhere else in the world. So, how do you craft such unique burgers? Oh wow. Genius. For Kawasan, his love for burgers is the engine that drives his creativity. He envisioned a place where imagination meets flavor, where no two burgers have to be the same, which is why he gave the shop the name Burger Factory, a tribute to his dream of offering endless possibilities between two buns. He even created a hidden menu with an animal style vibe. [Music] By the way, how do you stay so slim eating burgers all the time? [Music] Good strategy. [Music] That makes sense. Apparently, all the workers are allowed to eat whatever burger they want on the day they work. So many workers load their burgers with toppings. Sounds like my dream job. [Music] So, do you think your kids are going to take over when you get older? That’s awesome. His child is still young, so that time is still far off. But one day, he hopes that either his child or even a trusted apprentice will carry forward the legacy he’s carefully crafting today. It’s a reminder that even an unfulfilled passion can become the path to something even more meaningful. If not for music, Kawasan and his wife might have never met. Though that dream has faded, it gave rise to a new one. And that’s another one in the books. If you want to visit this spot for yourself, check out the

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Tokyo’s Most Creative Burger Joint?! | Inside Burger Factory
Today, we’re diving deep into one of Tokyo’s wildest hidden burger gems—Burger Factory, run by a passionate young Japanese couple with a love for American food culture. With over 50 unique burger creations on the menu—including a melonpan burger and a cheese-covered beast—this spot takes the idea of a burger to the next level.
But what truly makes this place special is owner Kawa-san’s story. Once a guitarist chasing his dream in a rock band, he gave it up and poured all that creative energy into building the ultimate burger shop.
From Japanese precision to American inspiration, these burgers are clean, beautiful, and full of flavor. Whether you’re a burger lover or looking for new Tokyo food spots, this video will take you behind the scenes of one of the most exciting burger joints in Japan.

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