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Watch: Legendary Sushi Chef Masa Invented a New Way to Cook Better Burgers

The trick is a one-of-a-kind cast iron tool

It’s somewhat surprising to hear that legendary sushi chef Masa Takayama — the man behind the first Japanese restaurant in the United States to earn a three-star rating from the Michelin guide — is serving a burger at one of his New York restaurants. Prime Time hosts Ben Turley and Brent Young, who not too long ago went on a quest to create the perfect dry-aged burger for their restaurant, are visiting Takayama’s Tribeca restaurant Tetsu to learn more about its signature burgers.

Takayama prepares the burgers (one a lamb burger with taleggio and the other a beef burger with white cheddar) by using a specific tool that was built just for him. Made of nambu — a famous ironware that’s native to Japan — the circular tool is lined with spikes that cut through the patty and allow the meat to cook while staying juicy.

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