Japan Serves Up the Pickleball Burger

Burger King Japan has teamed up with the Pickleball Japan Federation to debut the Pickleball Burger—an eyebrow-raising concoction of three beef patties, 11 pickles, and rice-patty buns. Designed to ride the wave of pickleball’s global boom, the burger’s over-the-top build is equal parts fast food marketing gimmick and protein-packed spectacle. While it’s unclear how much actual “pickleball” inspiration went into the design beyond the pickles, it’s definitely catching attention—and a few sideways glances.

Social media was quick to react, as users debated whether the Pickleball Burger was a genius innovation or a regrettable culinary choice. Some were intrigued by the health-adjacent profile—protein, low-cal pickles, rice instead of bread—while others were less optimistic about the taste or texture. Oddly enough, the “11 pickles” detail became a point of discussion all on its own. Apparently, the only thing more divisive than pickleball is what you put in a burger named after it.

It’s hard to say whether this burger will find its way beyond Japan, but the idea alone is a fascinating crossover of food culture and sport. One thing’s for sure: even in fast food, pickleball is proving it can pop up in the unlikeliest places. Would we eat it? Not sure. Would we try it after a long morning of dinking and dropping? Absolutely.