Hamburger Steak - The Way of the Househusband
Let’s try making Tatsu’s specialty, a juicy hamburger steak bursting with flavor!
Hello everyone! First of all, I apologize for the long break between posts. Over the past few weeks, my family and I have been unwell and in recovery for an extended period. Thanks to a virus relay, the illness passed from child to adult, but we’ve finally made it to the finish line!
Now that we’re back, let’s kick off 2025 with our first recipe and revival post: Hamburger Steak from the Netflix anime The Way of the Househusband!
What is Hamburger Steak?
Some of you might find the concept of "hamburger steak" a little confusing, but don’t worry, I’m here to explain it clearly.
Hamburger steak is a Western-style dish made from ground meat, and it’s one of the most beloved meals in Japan, enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s a common dish in many Japanese households and restaurants. However, it’s a bit different from the patty used in an American hamburger. Simply put, hamburger steak is a "meat patty that isn’t served in a bun." It’s typically made from a mix of ground beef or pork, seasoned with salt and pepper, and combined with ingredients like onions and breadcrumbs, then pan-fried or grilled.
When cooked properly, with a bit of thickness, it becomes a juicy meat dish that can even burst with delicious juices when cut.
The hamburger steak we know in Japan actually comes from the German city of Hamburg. Today, it has become a staple dish in Japan, commonly found in home cooking and bento boxes. In Japan, it’s typically enjoyed as a side dish with rice, and it’s common to serve it with sauces, particularly demi-glace sauce, ketchup-based sauce or a soy sauce-based teriyaki sauce. (Hamburger steak with teriyaki sauce is my favorite!!)
Another popular variation is "Simmered Hamburger Steak", where the patties are simmered in tomato sauce or other types of sauces, making for a rich and flavorful dish served with plenty of sauce.
Hamburger Steak in The Way of the Househusband
For anime fans like you, the mention of hamburger steak might bring to mind that memorable scene from The Way of The Househusband. By the way, in Season 1, there’s a scene featuring a hamburger made with minced fish (it’s quite rare in Japan, so I was honestly surprised when I saw it in the show!). This time, I’m going to share a recipe of the 100% beef hamburger steak from Episode 5 of Season 2.
While hamburger steak might seem easy to make, the truth is, even many Japanese people struggle to make it perfectly juicy (I know this well, as I teach Japanese cooking to locals too!). With just a few tips, you can make a surprisingly delicious hamburger steak, so I really encourage you to give it a try!
Serving 3
[ Patty ]
400g (14oz) ground beef
1 egg
1 minced medium-sized onion
1 slice shredded sandwich bread without bread crust or panko
6 tbsp milk / plant-based milk
3 pinches salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
a little freshly ground black pepper
[ Sauce ]
5 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp red wine
1 tbsp soy sauce
[ To Make Patties ]
Place all the patty ingredients in a bowl.
Mix all the ingredients by repeatedly squeezing and opening your hands until the mixture becomes sticky. If the meat warms up from the heat of your hands, it won't turn into a juicy hamburger steak, so when making the patties, it’s important to work quickly.
Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into ovals.
Toss the ovals lightly from one hand to the other to remove the air. (Note: You can apply a small amount of extra oil to your hands before shaping the patties. This will make the surface of the meat smooth, preventing it from cracking and allowing the juices to escape while cooking.)
[ To Cook ]
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan over medium heat, then gently place the patties in the pan.
Make a small indentation in the center of each patty. As they cook, the middle tends to puff up, so this can help prevent them from bursting.
Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is browned, then flip the patties with a spatula.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then transfer the patties to a heatproof dish.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for 10-15 minutes. (Note: The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the patties.)
Do not wash the frying pan yet.
[ To Make Sauce ]
Add all the seasonings to the frying pan in which the patties were cooked and heat over low heat.
After it is lightly simmered, serve it over the hamburger steak.
Thank you so much for reading until the end!
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