The Mania’s Big Debate! The ultimate hamburger is the cheapest McDonald’s vs. 100% domestic beef Mos Burger!

McDonald’s, the Champion of Chains with Low Prices

The king of fast food is the hamburger. The four major chains, McDonald’s, Mos Burger, Lotteria, and Burger King, which have been leading the industry since the 1970s and have been rapidly expanding their number of stores in recent years, offer a wide range of products, from standard items to new and seasonal items, that have captured the stomachs of consumers.

The four companies offer more than 100 different hamburger dishes, but which is the “best hamburger” that is both inexpensive and delicious? Food analyst Takao Shigemori, food journalist Junnosuke Nagahama, and B-class gourmet explorer Kyubei Yagyu, the “Three Wise Men of Restaurant Chains,” engaged in a heated debate.

–First of all, McDonald’s is the king. Mr. Shigemori had the super standard ” Big Mac ” (480 yen, including tax on individual items, hereafter the same). Mr. Shigemori said that he appreciates the “Big Mac” (480 yen, including tax), which is a super staple of McDonald’s.

Shigemori: McDonald’s is the chain with the lowest price among the four companies, but on the other hand, I have the impression that many of their products have light buns and are not as satisfying as they could be. However, the “Big Mac” has two layers of buns with a middle bun in between, making it a solid and satisfying meal. The sauce spreads in the mouth with the first bite, followed by the taste of the patty, bun, and lettuce. The “experience” of eating the lettuce, picking it up with your fingers as it spills out, is one of the pleasures of this dish.

Yagyu: For less than 500 yen, it is one of the most promising options. However, in the past, you could double the patty for an extra 200 yen only for “Night Mac” after 5 p.m., but now it costs 240 yen. If you order a “Big Mac,” it is better to order a regular one.

Nagahama: I recommend the ” Aburi Soy Sauce Style Egg Bacon Thick Beef ” (570 yen) from the “Samurai Mac” series created in 2008. The special bun is different from the usual, and the patty is meaty with a nice pepper accent. The egg and bacon create a more complex flavor, making the meal highly satisfying.

Shigemori: This is a great product that is not like a McDonald’s in a good way, closer to the gourmet burgers served at restaurants. For those who crave more meat, I recommend the ” Seared Soy Sauce Style Double Thick Beef ” (580 yen) from the same series.

Yagyu: Although there are many bold items on the menu, I would venture to recommend the ” Chiki-Chee (McChicken Cheese) “. The crispy chicken patty, cheddar cheese, and lettuce are reasonably priced at 250 yen. Due to the rising cost of labor and raw materials, many companies, including McDonald’s, are shifting toward upscale restaurants. However, there must be many people who are looking for a cheap and casual menu item at McDonald’s. I would like to recommend this item to such people. For those people, I would like to recommend this.

Mos Burger is quality and perfection

–How about Mos Burger, the original upscale line founded in Japan?

Shigemori: The signature item, the ” Mos Burger ” (470 yen), is our top choice. The hot special meat sauce, thickly cut cold tomatoes, juices from the patty, and onions dance on your tongue. The generous portion of meat sauce will almost certainly be left over, so dip it in the fries you ordered as a set, carefully hold the wrapper so it doesn’t spill and sip it, and enjoy the afterglow.

Yagyu I would strongly recommend the ” Moscheese Burger ” (510 yen). The cheese adds richness and deliciousness to that meat sauce. The difference from the regular item is only 40 yen. I would definitely add cheese.

Nagahama: I would recommend the ” New Extra Cheese – Hokkaido Cheese” (690 yen) for Mos for its quality.

-I have the actual product available today, as it is the product that Mr. Nagahama is pushing for the most.

Yagyu: Actually, I was going to introduce it myself. (Take a bite.) It’s delicious!　Look at the cross-section. The ingredients are packed tightly together. It also has a nice, firm texture when you hold it in your hand.

Nagahama: The patty is made from 100% domestic beef. The blend of cheese, including Gouda and Cheddar from Hokkaido, is a perfect match. Considering the quality, I think it is no exaggeration to say that the price is rather reasonable.

Speaking of Shigemori Mos, ” Teriyaki Burger ” (460 yen) is also indispensable.’ It is the pioneer of the teriyaki type, launched in 1973. I think it was because this was such a big hit that the Japanese-style burger took root in Japan. I eat it out of respect for that achievement (laughs). The deep teriyaki sauce is made with soy sauce, miso, cocoa powder, and black ground sesame. The unity of the patty, lettuce, bun, and mayonnaise is a wonderful masterpiece.

Nagahama I agree. There are teriyaki type burgers from various companies, but I feel that Mos has the edge in terms of perfection.

The second part, “The Strongest Hamburger,” won a double award, one for quality and the other for cosmetics! Decided after a heated debate among maniacs.

From the November 7, 2025 issue of FRIDAY