What is street food? Street food is good food that's not fancy. It's a great meal you can order quickly, yet without feeling like you're supposed to leave fast. It's food the locals usually know about--food that you don't feel strange eating by yourself, but are always glad to reveal to a special friend. Street food costs less than $10 per person. You order it at the counter, or at least pay for it there.
Brozers
by Michael L. Wong
When you think of great food in Japan, does the hamburger come to mind?
Of course not! In a country where sushi, rice, and ramen are king, one would assume that there is little room for this traditional western cuisine. Well, folks, I am here to tell you to think again.
Let me introduce to you to Brozers, hands down my favorite burger joint this or that side of the Pacific.
Now let me tell you that this honor does not come lightly especially when in the company of such burger greats as Pink's (Hollywood) or Island Burgers (Honolulu). So what is it that gives a Brozers burger its high ranking?
Let's call it the juice factor. Yes, yes, I know that all the good burgers out there also have a certain juiciness that makes them good, but what sets aside a Brozers burger is a characteristically non-Western juiciness. It's not a traditional western taste, yet at the same time not at all a Japanese taste either. What can I say?
Brozers has pushed the envelope on how a burger can and should taste. Ketchup?!? Not needed--and need I say more?
The one thing that unites all other burgers is the necessity to add that extra ketchupie taste. And that's my point as to why a Brozers burger is the best: ketchup not needed and not wanted! Its unique variety of juices offers flavors that so far have surpassed any other burger I have ever tried.
So if you are ever in the Tokyo area and are tired of fish and noodles, take my advice and drop by the 50's style atmosphere of Brozers. Treat yourself to a burger with a taste that's out of this world--or at least out of the country!
And while you are there, say hi to Akio-san. Tell him Mike sent ya. ;)
Brozers
2-28-5 Ningyocho
Nihonbashi, Chuoku
Tokyo, Japan
ph:03-3639-5201
Text and photos by Michael L. Wong
