Trump's cheeseburger in Japan still drawing lines

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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A 100 percent U.S. Angus beef Colby Jack Cheeseburger as part of U.S. President Donald Trump set is seen at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2017, file photo from the Prime Minister's Office Facebook page, U.S. President Donald Trump, left, listens to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, during a lunch of hamburgers from Munch's Burger Shack at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, Japan. The cheeseburger Trump had is still drawing lines to the Tokyo burger joint. (Cabinet Public Relations Office of Japan via AP) less

Photo: AP

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A photo showing U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, at a lunch of hamburgers from Munch's Burger Shack at Kasumigaseki Country Club, is displayed at the burger restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger Trump had is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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Yutaka Yanagisawa, owner of Munch's Burger Shack restaurant, prepares a burger at his restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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Yutaka Yanagisawa, owner of Munch's Burger Shack restaurant, prepares U.S. Angus beef for burger patties in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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Customers have burgers at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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Yutaka Yanagisawa, owner of Munch's Burger Shack restaurant, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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A menu showing U.S. President Donald Trump set is seen at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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100 percent U.S. Angus beef burgers are ready to be served at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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A line of customers queue up to have their lunch at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. less

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko, AP

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TOKYO (AP) — Haruyuki Sano traveled 1 ½ hours for a taste of the same cheeseburger President Donald Trump ate with the Japanese prime minister during his visit last week."It tasted great, like steak," the pastry-maker said, after savoring the 100 percent U.S. Angus beef Colby Jack Cheeseburger at Tokyo's tiny Munch's Burger Shack on Thursday.The lines at the door during lunchtime are getting longer than ever, thanks to Trump.Trump's tough-talk on issues like bilateral trade and security tend to get a mixed response in places like Japan, which sees the U.S. as its most important ally and partner. But his love for the Japanese take on the all-American hamburger is striking a chord with many here."I like Trump," said Sano, stressing that putting one's country first amid globalization made a lot of sense, and Japan should do that, too.While better known for sushi, soba and tempura, Japan has had a long love affair with American food. So-called "premium burgers," which are more expensive than the fast-food versions at double the price or more, are growing popular.The "President Trump Set," a new addition to the menu at Munch's Burger, which includes a serving of coleslaw and a side of fries with the cheeseburger, sells for 1,400 yen ($12). The juicy beef patty comes layered with crisp lettuce, melted cheese and tomato between hot soft buns.These days, it's one of the most popular orders, says owner-cum-chef Yutaka Yanagisawa, who recalls Trump shaking his hand after eating the burger and saying, "Very good. Very good.""I felt so honored," he said, adding that all he could muster in reply was a "thank you."Since Trump wanted his meat well-done, that's how the order was placed for both burgers in case the servings get mixed up on the table."That would have been a disaster," Yanagisawa said with a laugh.The experience of eating out in Tokyo is becoming more about fun storytelling, such as sharing Instagram photos of meals, says Jotaro Fujii, a Tokyo-based food consultant and the founder of Subway Japan.And so the "Trump effect" for the humble burger joint is expected to be huge."Talk of lines brings more lines," said Fujii. "Rather than mere taste, the value and joy come from being able to say: I had the same burger as Trump."Munch's Burger is up against some competition. Not only are there the ubiquitous McDonald's and Burger King chains, and relative newcomer Shake Shack, but Japanese burger joints are popping up, such as Shake Tree, which serves the breadless burger.Yanagisawa's dream is to open a restaurant in New York. He hopes to show what Japanese sensitivity and attention to detail can bring to a burger."It must have that handmade element," he said. "More than anything, it is about the feelings you put in for the customer, in each and every burger."___Yuri Kageyama can be reached at https://twitter.com/yurikageyamaHer work can be found at https://www.apnews.com/search/yuri%20kageyama

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