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\n\t\t\t\t (Photo by Shoji Kudaka\/Stripes Okinawa)
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When Fatburger Okinawa opened its doors in December 2025, I was one of those who rushed to the store. Leading up to its pre-run period starting Dec. 15, the L.A. hamburger franchise created a lot of buzz in Okinawa. So, I should not have been surprised to see a long line of people in front of the burger joint. <\/p>\n
Still, it was overwhelming to see so many customers patiently waiting outside even before its opening time at 11 a.m. So, I gave up, and I did not return to the store until recently. <\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t try again until the late summer, when I needed a big burger to boost my energy. Contrary to the time of my first visit, there was not a long line of customers in front of its door. <\/p>\n
It was around noon, and inside locals, as well as Americans, were enjoying hamburgers for lunch. <\/p>\n
I ordered \u201cThe Original Burger\u201d (1,390 yen approx. $8.74), a signature product of the franchise at the counter. For a second, I was tempted to go for \u201cDouble Burger\u201d (1,980 yen) or even \u201cTriple Burger\u201d (2,640 yen). <\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t (Photo by Shoji Kudaka\/Stripes Okinawa)
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\n\t\t\t\t (Photo by Shoji Kudaka\/Stripes Okinawa)
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Also enticing were various menu items listed on the wall like the \u201c1000 Island Burger,\u201d \u201cSkinny Burger\u201d and \u201cAvocado Burger,\u201d but I went for the most basic one since this was my first experience at the shop. <\/p>\n
For an extra 600 yen, I could have added fries and a soft drink, but instead, I coupled my burger with a milkshake made with real ice cream for 880 yen. <\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the vanilla shakes were sold out, so I chose matcha in the hopes that this would be a slightly less caloric, healthier option. <\/p>\n
I picked a seat near a wall featuring the photos of customers who had successfully completed the \u201cTriple Challenge,\u201d meaning they\u2019d finished a Triple Burger in a set amount of time. The folks in the photos looked pretty happy to have reached the goal. <\/p>\n
Soon my meal was ready, and I went back up to the counter to pick up the tray. <\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t surprised by the size of Fatburger\u2019s Original Burger, but I found the presentation a bit peculiar. The hefty burger was half wrapped in paper making it easy to grab and immediately dig into without danger of ingredients falling out from the bottom. <\/p>\n
The first bite was greasy, and it had a smoky aroma making me feel like I was at a barbecue. Inside, the burger came loaded with mayo, mustard, pickles and relish, a bold and tangy flavor balanced with the fresh lettuce, onions and tomatoes on a soft bun. Each bite was delightful. <\/p>\n
The tasty burger was over as quickly as it started, making me think that perhaps I should get the triple next time. <\/p>\n
The milkshake was sweeter than I expected, washing away any hope of making this lunch a less guilty one. I wanted to finish my drink, but I was starting to get full. I took the rest to go and figured I could finish it on the drive back home. With every sweet sip, I convinced myself that I should have had a double burger instead. <\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re up or a challenge or not, Fatburger has great options for a tasty meal! <\/p>\n
Things to know<\/p>\n
GPS coordinates: 26.356489, 127.745391 <\/p>\n
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (open daily).<\/p>\n