Japan-Famous Grilled Hamburg Chain Opens At VivoCity—Here’s What To Expect

Hikiniku To Come has viral Japanese hamburg at VivoCity

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, the first dishes that come to mind are typically ramen and sushi, but one dish that deserves more attention is hambagu—Japanese-style hamburg steak served with rice. While the dish can be found across Japan and even in Singapore, few have elevated it to the level of Hikiniku To Come, a viral Japanese chain renowned not only for its expertly grilled patties but also for its immersive dining experience. 

Originating from the Kichijoji neighbourhood of Tokyo, the brand has since expanded rapidly across Asia. Their recently opened outlet in VivoCity will mark their latest overseas branch, joining existing locations in Bangkok, Indonesia, and Korea. You know a restaurant’s signature offering is good when it is the sole focus of the menu, with every accompanying item designed to complement their hamburg patties.

Though the Japanese serve their patties differently from the Western approach of stuffing them between hamburger buns and piling on toppings, one major upside is that there is nowhere for the quality of the hamburg to hide, which is exactly the case at Hikiniku To Come. 

The Hikiniku To Come Set ($27.90++) is the only menu item available here. The set includes three 90g hamburg patties, served individually and fresh off the grill, alongside a bowl of miso soup, a raw egg, and unlimited servings of freshly cooked rice prepared in continuous batches throughout the day.

The preparation process begins long before the patties hit the grill. Every morning, the 100% beef patties are ground in the restaurant’s cold room under carefully controlled temperatures to maintain freshness.

Diners will sit around an intimate counter-style dining setup centred around an open grilling station, offering a front-row view of the culinary action. Guests can watch as the chefs deftly shape each patty by hand, rhythmically bouncing it between their palms before placing it over the charcoal grill. 

We particularly appreciated how the chefs carefully timed the grilling of each hamburg to match every diner’s pace, ensuring that each piece arrived at our table at peak freshness.

The restaurant recommends a different way to enjoy each hamburg. For the first piece, have it as is, without any condiments. This allows the pure savoury richness of the hamburg to shine, with subtle notes of sweetness emerging as you chew. A distinct smokiness from the charcoal grill follows, lending the patty a beautifully caramelised crust and a lightly crisp exterior that adds both texture and depth of flavour.

The beef was incredibly tender, practically melting in the mouth with every bite. It also brought an explosion of beef fat and juiciness, which seeped nicely into the rice.

For the second piece, top it with the grated radish and homemade ponzu vinegar that come with the set. This combination cuts through the richness of the beef, while the slightly chilled radish lends a refreshing, palate-cleansing quality, making for a lighter bite. 

Lastly, it is time to bring in the raw egg. There are two ways to enjoy it: either dip the hamburg into the beaten egg, or mix the egg with soy sauce and pour it over your rice. We preferred the former, as it added a layer of creaminess to the patty while allowing the rice grains to retain their fluffy texture, without becoming overly soggy. 

Hikiniku To Come also offers a selection of eight condiments, including Salted Lemon with Green Chilli, Oil-Marinated Green Chilli, and Mou’s Xinjiang Spice Mix.

Our personal favourite was the Soy Sauce Flakes and its subtle salty contrast, along with the Fried Garlic Flakes, which added a further aromatic crunch. You can also add on sides such as the Potato Salad and Dry Kimchi, while the soulful bowl of miso soup ties everything together perfectly. 

From the immersive dining experience to the exceptional hamburg patties cooked perfectly throughout, there is very little to fault about Hikiniku To Come, and it fully justifies the price tag and hype surrounding it. The patties may look visually deceptively small, but they fill you up surprisingly quickly due to how punchy they are. We were already finding it to make room while tackling the last piece topped with egg, but let that take nothing away from how enjoyable and satisfying the meal was from start to finish. 

For more viral food news, Sushi-GO has launched its take on the famous “salmon” noodles, while OREO has unveiled its hotteok-flavoured cookies as part of its collaboration with BTS. 

Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-102/103, VivoCity, Singapore 098585
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Website
Hikiniku To Come is not halal-certified.

Photos taken by Nathania Tay.
This was a media tasting at Hikiniku To Come.