While it may remind you of a popular chain in the United States, MOS Burger was born in Japan. If you are looking for a quick option for food and want to give one of Japan’s fast food options a chance, you might be pleasantly surprised by your experience.
Fun fact #1: MOS Burger (or モスバーガー, Mosu Ba-ga-, as it’s pronounced in Japanese) is NOT Japan’s answer to McDonald’s.
Ah, the powers of the internet. Why I never checked is beyond me. The founder was working in California in the 1960’s and frequented a local chain called Tommy’s where he liked the burgers and the “made to order” concept.
Fun fact #2: MOS Burger’s inspiration has been around longer than McDonald’s.
Whereas the McDonald brother’s carhop restaurant was opened in 1940, they didn’t get the idea for the streamlined process until later. They closed down the original and opened “McDonald’s” in 1948. Tommy’s, another California original, was opened in 1946. Tommy’s still currently in business in California. I’ve been to California more times than I can count and have never heard of it. Now I want to try it.
They are famous for their chili topped burgers. And that should have been my first hint. A true “MOS Burger” is topped with chili – not something you see at McDonald’s.
Fun fact #3: The MOS in MOS Burger is actually an acronym for Mountains, Ocean, Sun.
That just makes me like it even more for some reason. Most likely cause it’s three of my favorite things :).
The Menu
They have a staple menu of burgers and fries but like all of Japan, they have seasonal and local items as well.
If you aren’t comfortable with reading Japanese (though most of the menu is in katakana), I’ve always seen English menus available and you can always point and choose.
A Japanese twist
Along with burgers, hot dogs and fries, you will find some very Japanese options. The croquette burger (think breaded fried mashed potato) was actually the very first thing I ate in Japan on my first trip 10+ years ago in the mid-2000s.
Sad, I know, and that’s the only reason I remember it. We arrived in Sasebo after 1 AM and were tired, famished, and wanted something fast. Not much past an izakaya is open at that hour so MOS burger it was. I can honestly say I was not expecting potato, nor do I think I knew what it was at first!
More Japanese than that, the rice burgers. The buns are made from rice!
How to Order
If you would like for your typical fries, drink, and burger, make sure you ask for a “set meal”. You can pick the size and your drink. If you are like me and live off of ice tea, they will offer you the option of lemon, milk or straight. All options are sugar-free, they give liquid sugar on the side.
Note: There aren’t refills on drinks here! So if you are super thirsty, make sure you get the large (or be prepared for ordering a second!
As MOS Burger is cook to order, they’ll give you a number and bring your meal to you. If you are dining in, they provide it in a wicker basket.
How to eat
Remember how I said they all have chili on them? They come in these paper covers which you are supposed to keep your burger in so it doesn’t go all over the place. They are also more “polite” and allow you to cover your mouth while you chew.
Trust me, it helps, I normally sop up the rest of the toppings with my fries afterwards as I’m apparently a horribly messy eater when it comes to these burgers!
The taste
I’m a huge fan of MOS Burger and there is one right outside my station so if I’m getting home super late from work and want something fast that’s not conbini food (though also a yummy option), it’s great. The burgers are much smaller than what you normally see in the states (think kids meal hamburger) and are satisfying and tasty.
Do you like MOS Burger?
