Teriyaki Chicken Burger | Japan's Beloved Sweet-Savory Classic

Japan's beloved teriyaki burger at home — sweet-savory chicken, karashi mayo, and crisp vegetables on a toasted bun.

Jump to Recipe

About This Recipe

Sweet-savory teriyaki chicken tucked into a toasted bun with crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, sliced onion, and a generous spread of karashi mayo — this is the Japanese teriyaki burger, beloved far beyond Japan's borders.

The teriyaki chicken in this recipe is prepared to stay remarkably tender and juicy, so it holds up beautifully the next day. Reheated with a little of the leftover sauce until lightly glazed, the chicken pairs effortlessly with the soft bun and fresh vegetables.

What makes this burger distinctly Japanese is the karashi mayo — a blend of Japanese mustard (karashi) and mayonnaise. Its gentle heat and creaminess balance the sweet-savory teriyaki sauce, bringing everything together in a way that is deeply satisfying. Even without karashi, a simple spread of mayo gives the same cohesion.

A cafe- or fast-food-quality meal from yesterday's leftovers — that is the quiet brilliance of this burger. This is Japanese flavors at their most satisfying: juicy, boldly glazed, and deeply comforting.

 

Ingredients (Makes 1 burger)

 

Instructions

1		Mix the wa-karashi mayo ingredients together and set aside.
2	Prepare the vegetables: tear the lettuce into manageable pieces, slice the tomato into rounds, and thinly slice the onion. Tips If the onion's sharpness is a concern, soak the slices in cold water for about 5 minutes, then drain thoroughly. Lightly pat the tomato slices dry to prevent the bun from becoming soggy.
3		Heat a frying pan over medium heat and toast the bun cut side down until lightly golden. Remove, then spread a thin layer of butter on the toasted sides. Set aside. Tip Toasting the bun adds a pleasant crispness and helps it resist absorbing moisture from the vegetables and sauce.
4		Slice the teriyaki chicken into pieces. Place in the same pan, add the teriyaki sauce, and warm over medium heat, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly until the chicken is lightly glazed. Tip Reducing the sauce briefly concentrates the sweet-savory flavor, ensuring the teriyaki character comes through clearly in every bite.
5		Spread karashi mayo on the bottom bun. Layer in the following order: teriyaki chicken, a little extra karashi mayo (optional), onion, tomato, and lettuce. Add cheese or a soft-boiled fried egg if desired, then place the top bun to finish. Tip Adding karashi mayo between the chicken and vegetables — rather than only on the bun — helps the sweet-savory sauce and the sharpness of the onion meld together, giving the burger a distinctly Japanese character.

 

Variations

Cheese Teriyaki Burger — Add a slice of melting cheese for extra richness.

Tsukimi Teriyaki Burger — Top with a soft-boiled fried egg for a richer, more indulgent version.

Spicy Teriyaki Burger — Finish with black pepper or shichimi togarashi for a bolder, adult-oriented flavor.