Flying Garden, a popular steak restaurant chain headquartered in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, has announced a temporary suspension of sales for its signature dish, the "Bakudan Hamburg," due to an unexpected power outage at its factory. The company revealed that the outage was caused by an accident involving a crane, which damaged the factory's electrical equipment. As a result, it will take approximately two weeks to restore power, leading to the halt of the beloved menu item starting April 14, 2025.
The announcement was made on April 13, 2025, via the restaurant's official website, where they expressed their regret for the inconvenience caused to customers. "We apologize for the great inconvenience caused to our customers, and we appreciate your understanding," the company stated. Until the power supply is restored and sales of Bakudan Hamburg can resume, Flying Garden will continue to offer a limited dinner menu that excludes the popular dish.
Known for its theatrical presentation, the Bakudan Hamburg is a unique dish where a large, oval-shaped hamburger is cut in front of customers, creating an exciting experience as oil splatters during the process. This signature dish was first introduced in 1990 as "Grilled Wagyu 100% Steak-style Hamburg" and was renamed in 1991, inspired by the dramatic cooking method.
Flying Garden has been expanding its footprint in the Kanto region, with ten locations across Gunma Prefecture and other parts of northern Kanto. The chain has built a reputation for its quality steaks and engaging dining experience, making the Bakudan Hamburg a staple for many patrons. The recent outage, however, has put a damper on the restaurant's operations, particularly for those who look forward to this iconic dish.
As the restaurant works to resolve the electrical issues, it remains committed to serving its customers with alternative menu options during the outage. The decision to exclude Bakudan Hamburg from the dinner menu was made to ensure that other offerings can still be enjoyed while the company navigates this unexpected challenge.
The crane accident that caused the disruption serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change for businesses, especially those reliant on specific products. Flying Garden's management is hopeful that the power supply will be restored sooner than anticipated, allowing them to bring back the Bakudan Hamburg and return to normal operations.
In the meantime, the restaurant chain encourages its loyal customers to visit and explore other items on the menu, which still features a variety of delicious options for lunch and dinner. While the Bakudan Hamburg may be temporarily off the table, Flying Garden aims to maintain a positive dining experience for all who walk through its doors.
The company has expressed its gratitude for the understanding and patience of its customers during this period. As they work diligently to rectify the situation, Flying Garden remains committed to its mission of providing quality food and a memorable dining experience.
As the power outage continues to impact operations, Flying Garden is also exploring ways to minimize disruptions in the future. This incident highlights the importance of contingency planning for businesses that depend on specific facilities and equipment to deliver their products.
In conclusion, while the temporary suspension of Bakudan Hamburg sales is disappointing for many fans of the dish, Flying Garden is determined to overcome this hurdle and continue serving delicious meals to its customers. With the support of the community and a focus on resolving the current issues, the restaurant looks forward to reinstating its signature dish and maintaining its reputation as a top dining destination in the region.