Kua 'Aina

Kua ’Aina opened in May 1975 in Haleiwa, a small surf town on the North Shore of Oahu, and sold just twelve meals on its first day. It built its reputation slowly on burgers cooked to order and grilled over lava rock, a favourite stop for surfers and anyone driving the North Shore.

The unexpected twist is Japan. A first Japanese branch opened in 1997, and Kua ’Aina became a much-loved Hawaiian burger chain there, with restaurants in Tokyo and beyond, and later in Taipei. For many Japanese diners it is the taste of a Hawaiian holiday, made more real by the fact that the original is still a little shack by the sea.

The original shop in Haleiwa, Hawaii, plus restaurants across Japan and in Taipei.

• First Kitchen (Japan, since 1977). A Tokyo burger chain since 1977, famous for its Bacon Egg Burger, flavoured fries and pasta, now run together with Wendy’s. Also built on beef and bacon.
• Burger Machine (Philippines, since 1981). “The burger that never sleeps”: the Philippines’ round-the-clock roadside burger stand. Also built on beef and bacon.
• Laya Burger (Taiwan, since 2002). One of Taiwan’s big three breakfast chains, now baking its burger buns from an 18-hour sourdough. Also built on beef and bacon.
• Jollibee (Philippines, since 1978). The Philippine chain that beat McDonald’s at home, with sweet spaghetti on the side. Also built on beef.