Hambāgu

Ingredients

• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 1/4 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons sake
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons water

Method

1. 1

   Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 9-inch skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped onion, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

   5:00 · Cook onion
2. 2

   In a small bowl, soak the panko breadcrumbs in the milk for 5 minutes.

   5:00 · Soak panko
3. 3

   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooled onion, soaked panko, egg, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix with hands until well combined and slightly sticky.

4. 4

   Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each into an oval patty about 3/4 inch thick, tossing between hands several times to remove air pockets.

5. 5

   Heat the vegetable oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and sear until browned, about 3 minutes per side.

   6:00 · Sear patties
6. 6

   Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until the patties are cooked through and juices run clear, about 10 minutes.

   10:00 · Cook through
7. 7

   Transfer the patties to a plate. Wipe out excess fat from the skillet, then add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sake, sugar, and water, stirring to combine.

8. 8

   Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.

   3:00 · Simmer sauce
9. 9

   Stir in the butter until melted and glossy, then return the patties to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top to coat.

10. 10

    Plate the patties with sauce spooned over, and serve hot with steamed rice and shredded cabbage.