Seikatsu Guide.com, a website operated by Wave Dash Inc. that supports local communities created by everyone, has announced the Top 5 of its 37th Annual "Regional Burger Ranking" as selected through user votes *.

Let's take a look at the top 5 regional burgers selected this year.

1. Sasebo Burger

Perhaps the burger that Japanese people most often associate with ご当地バーガー gotōchi bāgā | "regional burger") is the 佐世保バーガー Sasebo Burger, born in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

The Sasebo Burger must contain fresh raw vegetables and original sauce. There are more than 25 restaurants serving Sasebo burgers in the city, each offering their own original interpretation.

When you visit Sasebo City, why not bite into a freshly made, delicious regional burger? You could even try several different restaurants and compare!

Here are some of the comments from those who voted for this famous regional burger:

• "The fresh raw vegetables and original sauce make it look healthy and user-friendly. It's good value for the money" (man in his 70s)
• "I saw it when I was hungry, so I couldn't resist the look of the generous portion and wanted to eat it! The fresh-looking vegetables and the thick bacon that sticks out are very appetizing" (woman in her 30s)
• "I can't forget the taste of the Sasebo burger I had once" (woman in her 30s).

Sasebo is said to be the birthplace of the hamburger in Japan, first sold near U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo around the 1950s after the recipe was taught by an American naval officer. Later, many hamburger stores were established and each store added their own unique twist to it. The Sasebo Burger is now loved as the soul food of Sasebo citizens.

2. Chitose Burger (tie)

Tied with the "Yokosuka Navy Burger" (see below) in second place was the 千歳バーガー "Chitose Burger" from 千歳 Chitose City, which boasts the largest egg production in Hokkaido.

If you love eggs, you have to try this one. The Chitose Burger requires the use of the famous eggs produced in Chitose City, with local restaurants providing their own interpretation based on how they prepare the eggs. You'll find versions with fried eggs, scrambled eggs, eggs in a tartar sauce, and so on. Find your favorite Chitose Burger when you visit the area!

2. Yokosuka Navy Burger (tie)

Tied for second place was the ヨコスカネイビーバーガー Yokosuka Navy Burger. This local burger from Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, famous for its U.S. military base, is an adaptation of a traditional Navy hamburger recipe sent as a token of friendship.

This big burger is made of 100% lean beef, simply cooked and served in authentic American style with ketchup and mustard. Gobble it up and you'll feel like you've traveled to the U.S. of A. or returned home, whichever may be the case!

4. Toburger

In fourth place was the とばーがー Toburger, a local burger from 鳥羽市 Toba City, Mie Prefecture.

The Toburger requires that local ingredients from Toba City be used for the patties. Various varieties of burgers using Toba's specialties, mainly marine products such as octopus, lobsters, turban shells, and abalone, are available at several restaurants in the city. For example, the Exquisite Abalone Steak Burger, which is available by reservation only, is a gorgeous-looking Toburger featuring an entire abalone steak. It's a dream burger that abalone lovers should order at least once.

5. Onomachi Komachi Ice Cream Burger

Not all burgers are savory. Ranked fifth was a dessert burger, the おのまち小町アイスバーガー Onomachi Komachi Ice Cream Burger from 小野町 Onomachi City, Fukushima Prefecture, which features ice cream sandwiched between a fragrant grilled bun.

Sold in local Onomachi supermarkets for more than 30 years, it's a nostalgic treat for locals. Currently, it's offered at three stores in town, and each store offering different flavors, such as the ones you see above with chocolate sauce and berry sauce. There are also versions featuring traditional Japanese ingredients as well as seasonal flavors. Try some when you stop by Onomachi!

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* The ranking results are derived on the basis of votes conducted on the Seikatsu Guide.com website. 264 Seikatsu Guide.com members aged between 10 and 89 sent in their votes between June 10th and July 12th, 2022.

You can view the complete ranking results at the Seikatsu Guide.com website here.