Visiting Nara and need a suggestion for where to eat? A stone’s throw from Kintetsu Nara Station in 東向北商店街 (Higashimukita shopping district), Sakura Burger is a great place either pre- or post- deer feeding (just wash your hands, you animal!) or Temple viewing (be honest, you went for the deer).
Beware though, we happened to stumble upon it right as they opened (11 am for lunch), the queue starts early! By the time we left, it was wrapped around with at least 20 people.
Burgers aren’t the most adventurous option when there are so many Japanese foods to try, but Sakura Burger is popular for a reason!
Sakura Burger Menu
The menu starts with the Sakura Burger choices which means they have their own smoked bacon on them with several different customization options. Avocado, sauteed onion, egg, and different sauces.
There are a few other options as well, avocado burgers tend to be a favorite of mine (anything with avocado in actuality, especially guacamole). If you are pescetarian or vegetarian, there are fish and veggie burgers as well.
Hot dogs with a myriad of topping options and the hot sandwich options round out the holdable options.
To get a tasting of their other business (Asuka Smoke Works) where they do their smoking, you can try the sausage plates, curry worst and bacon steak. Or if you just want to have a sampling, there is a sample plater too!
The Name Sake: Sakura Burger
When you have a namesake menu item, I’m going to try it. The Sakura Burger is a homemade patty with smoked thick-cut bacon, lettuce, tomato, and pickle. As aforementioned I love avocado statements, I had to have some added to mine! And if you haven’t had egg added to your burger (a trait of “Navy Burgers” in Japan), try it!
Seasoned with salt, pepper, and their homemade tartar sauce, it’s delectable. When served, the waitress pointed out to ‘please try our homemade ketchup along with your burger’.
It’s on the table so you can decide how much you want. Trust me, you won’t want to go back to HFCS Ketchup every again. It’s good.
Asuka Smoke Works
Sakura Burgers manages the Asuka Smoke Works as well. This is where the yummy bacon, sausage, hot dogs, (and they smoke chicken!) comes from. But also, if you have ever wondered how to make sausage, they have a workshop on it!
Yes, there is a special way to eat burgers
Did you notice the paper wrapping around my burger? If you’ve been following along, you’ve seen those before. Leave that burger in there! It helps keep all the goodness together and makes it much easier to eat.
Especially when you get a monstrosity of a sandwich like I did! It also helps to make sure that the sauce doesn’t go all over the front of you (I’ve mentioned before how I’m a klutz).
Drink Local
I like trying the local beer wherever I go. It’s actually how I ended up finding Sakura Burger and they didn’t disappoint in that area. They have several local breweries beer available. After walking through the park for hours, having a Nara Local Craft Beer was very refreshing.
The Atmosphere
The place has a good vibe to it, it’s pretty small but cozy. One of the tables even consists of a couch in the back of the restaurant. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
I’m a fan of their logo. A cowboy on a deer. They do close down for an hour in the afternoon between lunch and dinner so make sure you don’t hit them at the wrong time. Also, don’t let the crowd scare you, it’s worth the wait!
Have you been to Nara? What are your food recommendations?
