Family Dining · Practical guide

Hungry Tiger

1969 Yokohama Pioneer of Charcoal 100% Beef Hamburg & The Napkin Shield

Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.

Quick Facts

Feature Details
Japanese nameハングリータイガー (Hanguri Taiga)
CategoryFamily Dining / Authentic Charcoal-Grilled 100% Pure Beef Hamburg & Premium Steaks
Store CountApproximately 10–15 locations situated exclusively in Kanagawa Prefecture (Yokohama Hodogaya Flagship, Yokohama Station More's, Landmark Tower Minato Mirai, Kawasaki), operated by Hungry Tiger Co., Ltd. (founded in Yokohama in 1969) (Store Locator)
Ordering StylePremium table-service steakhouse: check in via storefront automated queue terminal; seated at spacious booths; order verbally with professional servers; dishes grilled over charcoal and finished table-side on cast iron; hold large paper napkin for 60 seconds; pay at front register
Membership Required?No membership or reservation required for regular dining; walk-ins welcome, subject to seating availability. (taking a queue ticket at storefront kiosks during peak weekend lunch/dinner is standard)
Approximate Price RangeMidday lunch sets ~¥1,800–¥2,800; evening dinner ~¥2,500–¥4,500; signature Original Charcoal-Grilled Hamburg Steak (220g) ~¥1,980–¥2,480; strictly zero cover charge (¥0 Otoshi); all tax-included (subject to revision)
Payment MethodsCash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA), electronic money (iD, QUICPay), and mobile QR codes (PayPay) across modern branches
Multilingual SupportStorefront queue kiosks support English; menus feature clear English descriptions and photographic guides

What it is

Hungry Tiger (ハングリータイガー), founded in Yokohama in 1969, holds the revered historic title of the true founding father of Japan's 100% all-beef, binderless cylindrical hamburger steak and table-side slicing performance. Before Hungry Tiger, Japanese hamburger steaks were soft, pan-fried home mixtures of minced pork, beef, breadcrumbs, and eggs. Hungry Tiger revolutionized the nation by introducing pure 100% coarse-ground Australian beef shaped into a thick football cylinder, grilled over scorching charcoal briquettes, and served on a custom cow-shaped cast-iron skillet. At your table, a waiter in a crisp uniform slices the burger in half, sears the center, and pours the iconic, slow-simmered Hungry Tiger Original Gravy, creating a theatrical sensory spectacle that has drawn generations of devoted Yokohama food lovers.

How to order

Dining at Hungry Tiger follows an iconic Yokohama ritual:

  1. Take a queue ticket at the entrance kiosk: Touch the electronic queue machine at the entrance to receive your numbered ticket. Scan the QR code on your smartphone to track live waiting times while exploring Yokohama.
  2. Be seated in a classic steakhouse setting: Staff will guide you to a leather dining booth overlooking the brick charcoal grill station.
  3. NO Otoshi cover charge: Enjoy honest dining—Hungry Tiger charges strictly zero table fee and zero cover charge (¥0 Otoshi).
  4. Choose your meal:
    • Original Charcoal-Grilled Hamburg Steak (オリジナル ハンバーグステーキ - 220g): The 1969 legend. 100% pure beef, served with roasted onion, mixed vegetables, and a whole baked potato with butter.
    • Hamburg & Ribeye / Tenderloin Steak Combo: The best of both worlds.
    • Choose Bread or Rice: Pair with warm bakery rolls or Japanese steamed rice.
    • Add the Special Set: Includes clam chowder or corn potage soup and salad.
  5. The 60-Second "Napkin Shield" Preparation (MANDATORY):
    • When the server approaches with your sizzling cow-shaped iron platter, unfold your large linen/paper napkin.
    • Place half of the napkin flat across the edge of the table under your plate, and lift the other half upright with both hands in front of your chest to form a barrier.
  6. The Historic Slicing Performance:
    • The server slices the thick cylindrical patty in half lengthways, turns both halves cut-side down, and presses them firmly against the searing iron skillet with long heavy utensils.
    • The server pours Hungry Tiger's secret sweet-and-savory onion gravy over the meat: SHHHHHHHHH.
    • Keep your napkin shield held high for exactly 60 seconds while the oil splatters and the sauce caramelizes against the cast iron.
  7. Savor the 100% Pure Beef Flavor: Lower your napkin. The interior of the burger is cooked to a juicy, firm, meaty finish. Dip into the caramelized gravy, cut into the fluffy baked potato, and enjoy.
  8. Settle your bill: Bring your table leather bill holder to the front cashier desk. Pay via cash, credit card, Suica, or smartphone QR codes.

What to order first

Dishes below reflect core brand staples officially featured on the Hungry Tiger Official Website:

Payment & practical info

Prices and details checked: October 2026.

Good to know / Common mistakes

FAQ

Q1: Did Hungry Tiger really invent the table-side hamburger cutting ritual in Japan? Yes. Hungry Tiger introduced the concept to Japan in 1969. Chains like Sawayaka, Flying Garden, and Big Boy later adopted variations of this famous table-side cutting style.

Q2: Is the meat cooked rare or well-done? Unlike chains that serve burgers rare, Hungry Tiger presses both halves firmly against the blistering hotplate to cook the 100% pure coarse-ground beef to a safe, juicy, and flavorful medium-well finish.

Q3: Can I visit Hungry Tiger easily from Tokyo? Yes. The Yokohama Station More's branch is just a 2-minute walk from the JR Yokohama Station West Exit, a direct 25-minute train ride from Tokyo Station or Shibuya on the Tokaido or Toyoko lines.

Sources