(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Like so many other Okinawans, I love hamburgers. When I was young, I could eat one every day. Reaching 50, however, I am not up for that kind of burger volume. So, I introduced to myself the rule of “one hamburger per week.” That normally means a hamburger on Saturday, most likely at an A&W restaurant.
That said, I will still occasionally go off the rails for a special hamburger like I did at BURGER’S TIME IMUA in Chatan.
Since opening last year, this burger joint by Araha Beach has received plenty of good reviews and media attention. So, when a recent drive took me near the beach area, I couldn’t help but give into the thought of the restaurant’s tasty burgers I’d seen online.
This joint’s square flat building in light blue fits right in with the trendy bars and tattoo parlors lined up along the beachfront.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
The laidback vibe of the area translated inside with touches of Americana and a U.S. flag hanging on the wall alongside a menu translated to English. I felt as though I’d entered a stateside burger stand.
Among the many options on the menu, there was the Classic burger (1,400 yen, about $9.90), Bacon Cheese (1,780 yen) and Teriyaki (1,500 yen). I chose the IMUA 1.0 (1,680 yen), a beef burger topped with Colby jack cheese, tomato, lettuce, pineapple, BBQ sauce and mayonnaise. The burgers include a small side of fries. I also ordered a homemade lemon squash soft drink (580 yen) to wash it down.
As a burger lover and A&W regular, I’m used to the crisp burgers served there. But IMUA 1.0’s 130-gram beef patty had the right amount of grease and was satisfying. The sweet and sour touch of pineapple and the mild cheese complimented the flavors of this delicious burger.
Washing it down with lemon squash made it feel like a summertime lunch even though it was still spring.
According to owner-chef Yuuki Tanahara, the name “IMUA” comes from a Hawaiian word that means “move forward with strong will.”
When I left the joint, I felt very refreshed thanks to its tasty hamburger and positive vibe.
BURGER’S TIME IMUA
GPS Coordinates: N 26.306494, E 127.760144
Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Mon. – Sun.)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burgers_time_imua/
*A free parking space available for up to 4 vehicles by the restaurant.
*This joint is within walking distance of Araha Beach’s parking lot as well.
