Samurai Mac Burgers at McDonald’s Japan

Growing up in Melbourne as a small boy, I knew Japan for two things. One was ninja, the secret assassins and spies of feudal Japan who were skilled in the use of swords, shuriken and scaling hooks. The other was samurai, the elegant and noble protectors of Japan. Back in April, when McDonald’s Japan announced they were going to introduce two new samurai burgers, you can bet I was excited.

McDonald’s Japan have been teasing our taste buds for many years now with interesting limited-edition and seasonal burgers such as the Tsukimi Burger in fall and the Gratin Croquette Burger in winter.

The new Samurai Mac Burgers were created to capture the spirit of the samurai warrior with their Japanese flavours. They come in two different varieties which are designed to represent different samurai factions.

The “Wild Faction” is represented by the Roasted Soy Sauce Style Double Thick Beef Burger, while the “Self-Indulgent Faction” is represented by the Roasted Soy Sauce Style Bacon Tomato Thick Beef Burger.

The Roasted Soy Sauce Style Double Thick Beef Burger 

This is a mouthful to say and it is certainly a mouthful for the actual mouth with two thick and juicy 100-percent beef patties, two slices of rich cheddar cheese, and a crisp sliced onion with a savoury roasted soy sauce style sauce all sandwiched in a poppy seed bun.

The Roasted Soy Sauce Style Bacon Tomato Thick Beef Burger 

This mouthful also contains a thick 100-percent beef patty with smoked bacon, fresh tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, sliced onions, and white cheddar cheese with a savoury roasted soy sauce style sauce all sandwiched in a poppy seed bun.

The Taste Test 

Unfortunately, due to the State of Emergency in Japan because of the coronavirus, we could only get the take-away version of the “Self-Indulgent Faction”. The star of the show is definitely the savoury roasted soy sauce style sauce on the burger, which really brings out the Japanese flavours. The thick juicy beef patty is enhanced by a hint of garlic which adds a nice tone and doesn’t overpower the rest of the flavours. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would not hesitate to have it again.

The Campaign Ambassador 

The campaign ambassador of the new burgers is actor, Masato Sakai, who has played several samurai characters in the past on TV shows. He is most famous for playing samurai warrior Sanada Yukimura in the NHK Taiga Drama, Sanada Maru in 2016.

Available for a Limited Time Only 

The new Samurai Mac Burgers will be on the McDonald’s Japan menu for a limited time only from 8 April until mid-May. You can pick one up for 490 yen (USD$4.50) but hurry as time is running out.

Source: McDonald's Japan

Matsuya Gyudon Vending Machine

A new innovation is hitting Japan’s gyudon industry with the introduction of Japan’s first ever gyudon vending machine. Japan is known the world-over for its vending machines, which can just about be found on every street corner from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka to little country towns in the middle of nowhere.

Most of these sell hot or cold drinks and sometimes even snacks, but now there is a game-changer with the world’s first gyudon vending machine from fast-food chain Matsuya.

Matsuya is a popular restaurant chain in Japan that serves gyudon (beef bowls) and Japanese curry. They are known for their budget-friendly menu items that are quick, cheap, and tasty. By far, their most popular dish is their gyudon (shredded beef and onions served over a bowl of steaming rice).

Matsuya Restaurant | Wikimedia Commons

This unique gyudon vending machine has been installed at the employee cafeteria of Gree, a Tokyo-based mobile game company.

The vending machine is fully-stocked with a variety of Matsuya’s most popular dishes including their standard beef bowl and Japanese curry. Prices range from 450-500 yen (USD$4.15-$4.60), which is comparable to the regular prices at their restaurants.

The dishes come with miso soup and need to be warmed up in the microwave which is adjacent to the vending machine.

Matsuya Gyudon with Miso Soup | Photo by: エドガー on Flickr

We are hoping that Matsuya roll out their enhanced version of the vending machine to other locations around Japan soon, so we can give it a try. What do you think? Are you keen to give this new vending machine a try? Please leave your replies in the comments below.

Halloween Choco Pumpkin Fries at McDonald’s Japan

McDonald’s Japan has joined the Halloween party by introducing some pumpkin flavoured treats to celebrate the scary season. The “Halloween Choco Potato” released to mark its 45th anniversary in Japan features golden McDonald’s French fries covered in a pumpkin and chocolate sauce.

This isn’t the first time McDonald’s have released chocolate covered fries in Japan. Earlier in the year, they created some huge media buzz with their “McChoco Potato”, French fries covered in a double chocolate sauce of milk chocolate and white chocolate. While they were only available for a limited time, the concept is now back for Halloween, with an all new addition of pumpkin added to the chocolate mix.

The Taste Test 

We at Japan Australia are always game to try something new, so headed to our local McDonald’s to test them out. How were they? Surprisingly very good! The flavour combination of sweet & savoury work really well together and the fries tasted really good. It wasn’t too sweet with the mild and subtle sweetness from the chocolate combining well with the saltiness of the fries, which was balanced nicely with the savoury fruity pumpkin sauce. A real winner in our books!

The Halloween Choco Pumpkin Fries come in a cute Halloween box

The sauce is served separately in a plastic snap pack sachet

When squeezed the two sauces drizzle out together

The colours and flavours of Halloween

The Halloween Choco Pumpkin Fries are available for a limited time until Halloween at McDonald’s restaurants across Japan and cost 330 yen (USD$3.28). You can also purchase them for an additional 60 yen as part of any set deal. Hurry before they vanish like a ghost from the menu forever.

Recent Unique Menu Items from McDonald’s Japan

Tsukimi Burger (Moon Viewing Burger) 2016

McChoco Potato Chocolate Fries 

McDonald’s Japan Website

Tsukimi Burger 2016 McDonald’s Japan

The seasonal Tsukimi Burger is back for autumn 2016 in Japan with a brand new addition to the “tsukimi” family.

The Tsukimi Burger (月見バーガー) is named after the famous Japanese tradition of tsukimi (月見) or moon viewing, which is a festival honoring the bright autumn moon.

The Tsukimi Burger has been around for a few years now, first making its first appearance way back in 1991. It has been a popular seasonal favourite ever since and comes back every year in some form or the other. Check out last year’s edition of the Tsukimi Burger. It traditionally contains a beef patty, smoky bacon, a poached egg and a special Aurore sauce made up of ketchup mixed with Japanese mayonnaise. The poached egg in the burger is said to resemble the autumn moon with the egg yolk representing the bright autumn full moon and the egg white the white sky.

This year it is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the brand new “Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burger”.

The Tsukimi Burger 

The Tsukimi Burger is the original and some say best version of the burger. It contains a juicy beef patty, smoky bacon, a poached egg and special sauce all in sesame topped buns.

The Cheese Tsukimi Burger 

The Cheese Tsukimi Burger is the best in our opinion and is pretty much the same as the original above, with the addition of cheddar cheese, which makes it better.

The Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burger 

The brand new Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burger is similar to the original but contains a slice of ham instead of bacon, cheddar cheese, and is inside buttery, fluffy, round moon-shaped buns made with fresh cream.

The Taste Test 

We at Japan Australia are huge Tsukimi Burger fans, so just had to try the brand new “Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burger”. How was it? It was OK! The addition of ham instead of bacon was a minus in our opinion and the buttery soft fluffy buns were good, but give us the original sesame topped buns any day of the week. Overall it was good, but we think we will just stick to "The Cheese Tsukimi Burger" from now on as it is definitely the best in our humble opinion.

Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burger Set

Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burger Box

A look at the Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burger

Under the skin of the Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burger

The Tsukimi Burger series is available from August 31st until the first week of October at McDonald’s restaurants across Japan. Prices for the burgers vary depending on the region of Japan.

McDonald’s Japan Website

The Tsukimi Burger Lineup for 2016

McDonald’s Japan Chocolate Fries

McDonald’s Japan has done it again! They have created a huge marketing buzz surrounding their latest offering, French fries covered in chocolate sauce. The launch last week saw the Internet go crazy over this new menu item, and it has even reached the furthest corners of the globe.

Recent years has seen McDonald’s Japan witness sagging sales, various food scandals and supply issues. In an attempt to turn around its fortunes in Japan, it has been creative with its menu items in order to bring back the masses to the once vastly popular fast-food chain in Japan.

McDonald’s Japan Chocolate Fries or McChoco Potato as it is known here in Japan forms part of its special winter menu, and went on sale from January 26. The sweet and salty French fries come with two different kinds of chocolate sauce, milk chocolate and white chocolate, and cost 330 yen (USD$2.80).

I’ve been quite surprised by how many people have been shocked by this latest creation. After all, when you think about it French fries and chocolate is a pretty good flavour combination that works surprisingly well. You have the saltiness of the fries and the sweetness of the chocolate sauce, creating a nice harmony and balance of flavours. Salty and sweet is a combination that goes together well and has been used many times before in Japan.

There is a company in Hokkaido, called ROYCE, who has made a great success with potato chips dipped in chocolate. This unique item is hugely popular in Japan and makes a great souvenir from the region.

The chocolate-covered French fries will only be available for a limited time, with McDonald’s Japan scheduled to stop selling them in mid-February, soon after Valentine’s Day.

We were intrigued by this latest offering, so headed to our local McDonald’s to check them out.

The Taste Test 

Japan Australia was very keen to try these new chocolate-covered French fries out and we weren’t disappointed. The hot fries were receptive to the chocolate sauce, which melts all over when squirted over the top. They were very moreish and as expected the saltiness of the fries was a perfect mix with the sweetness of the double chocolate sauce. This could make for the perfect McDonald's snack! I highly recommend the chocolate fries for anyone out there who has ever dipped their fries in a chocolate milkshake. Bon Appetit!

The McChoco Potato comes in a good looking box. I'm lovin it!

The Golden French Fries of McDonald's Japan before being covered in chocolate sauce

The easy to squeeze double chocolate sauce

The sauce comes with milk chocolate and white chocolate

The McDonald's Japan Chocolate Fries ready to demolished

If you are interested in McDonald’s Japan unique and interesting menu items, check out the following gems:

McDonald’s Japan Halloween Burger 

McDonald’s Japan World Cup Menu 

McDonald’s Japan Sakura Teritama Burger 

McDonald’s Japan Website 

Tsukimi Burger 2015

The Tsukimi Burger is back for Autumn 2015 in Japan! Currently available at McDonald’s restaurants across Japan, it is a sure tell sign that Autumn has finally arrived here in Japan.

Autumn is considered a time in Japan to enjoy delicious season food, cooler weather after the summer heat, and koyo (紅葉) which is viewing of the colourful Autumn leaves. The Tsukimi Burger It is only available for a limited time during the early Autumn and made its appearance back on the menu again in early September. It will remain on the menu until early October.

The Tsukimi Burger has been around for a few years now, making its first appearance way back in 1991. It has been a popular seasonal favourite ever since and always comes back in some form or the other every year. It traditionally contains a beef patty, smoky bacon, a poached egg and a special sauce (ketchup mixed with Japanese mayonnaise).

The Tsukimi Burger (月見バーガー) is named after the famous Japanese tradition of tsukimi (月見) or moon viewing, which is a festival honouring the bright Autumn moon. The poached egg in the burger is said to resemble the Autumn full moon with the egg yolk representing the bright Autumn full moon and the egg white the white sky.

In 2013 McDonald’s released a new addition to the Tsukimi line-up with the Chicken Cheese Tsukimi Burger. In 2014 it was the Kinoko Tsukimi Burger featuring mushrooms. What will it be in 2015?

This year in 2015 they have released two new Hokkaido cheese versions of the Tsukimi Burger to go along with the original Tsukimi Burger. The new additions are the Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi Burger and the Chicken Tsukimi Hokkaido Cheese Burger.

Tsukimi Burger 

The original and some say best version of the burger contains a beef patty, smoky bacon, a poached egg and special sauce.

Original Tsukimi Burger

 

Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi Burger 

The Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi is the same as the original Tsukimi Burger with the addition of Hokkaido cheddar cheese.

Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi Burger

Chicken Tsukimi Hokkaido Cheese Burger 

The Chicken Tsukimi Hokkaido Cheese features a crispy chicken patty along with smoky bacon, Hokkaido cheddar cheese and special sauce.

Chicken Tsukimi Hokkaido Cheese Burger

The Tsukimi Burger has long been a favourite of ours at Japan Australia, so we had to head over the our nearest McDonald’s to test out the new Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi Burger. 

The Taste Test 

The new Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi Burger certainly didn’t disappoint and we really liked the addition of the Hokkaido cheddar cheese which was really creamy. Eating the burger was like being reacquainted with a long lost friend. Ah, Autumn is finally back in Japan and this cooler weather is just another sign that the long hot summer in Japan is finally over for another year.

Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi Burger Set

The simple wrapping of the Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi Burger

The Hokkaido Cheese Tsukimi Burger Unwrapped

Prices for the burgers vary depending on the region of Japan. The Tsukimi Burgers are only available for a limited time, so hurry on in if you want to give them a try.

McDonald’s Japan Website

McDonald’s Japan Halloween Burger

McDonald’s Japan has joined the club by releasing a black burger for Halloween. Hot on the heels of the recent Black Kuro Burger from Burger King Japan comes the new Ika Sumi Burger from McDonald’s.

McDonald’s own dark burger is just in time for Halloween. The burger is called the “Ika Sumi Burger” or Squid Ink Burger, and is its Goth burger to rival that of Burger King.

They have also released a new chicken burger which features Camembert cheese, and a new McFlurry with pumpkin sauce.

Here is a brief description of each Halloween menu item.

The Ika Sumi Burger (Squid Ink Burger) 

The Ika Sumi (Squid Ink) Burger features two beef patties, cheddar cheese, and crispy fried onions, with a special yellow smoky & spicy Chipotle sauce. The burger also contains a black squid ink sauce. All this yumminess is contained within buns dyed with black sesame seeds. The black for Halloween is meant to represent a black witch, which plays mischief on the burger.

You can pick one up at your local McDonald’s Japan restaurant for 370 yen (USD$3.40).

Halloween Ika Sumi (Squid Ink) Burger

The Camembert Chicken Burger 

The Camembert Chicken Burger is the second Halloween burger and features a chicken fillet, lettuce and creamy white Camembert cheese sauce. All within standard white buns. Very scary! The white of the burger (buns and cheese sauce) is meant to represent a white ghost, with the burger dressed up in a white ghost costume.

This burger also sells for 370 yen (USD$3.40).

Halloween Camembert Chicken Burger

Pumpkin Oreo McFlurry 

The third item on the Halloween menu is the Pumpkin Oreo McFlurry. It features pumpkin sauce in the regular oreo cookies & cream vanilla ice-cream Oreo McFlurry. You can try it for 276 yen (USD$2.55).

Halloween Pumpkin Oreo McFlurry

The Taste Test 

Of course, we had to give one of these a taste. It is almost Halloween after all. We headed to our local McDonald’s and ordered a Squid Ink Burger. I know what you are all asking. How did it taste? Well…..it was pretty good. The burger looks awful, but tastes just like a regular McDonald’s burger. The first thing that hits you is the smell of the fried onions as you open up the box. The ika sumi sauce tasted alright and wasn’t too overpowering. The burger had a good spiciness to it due to the Chipotle sauce. The buns were a slight disappointment. Yes, they were dark, but I wouldn’t call them black. Maybe a dark shade of brown is a better description.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience, but it is not something that I would be ordering again.

McDonald’s Halloween menu will be available until the last week of October.

Halloween Ika Sumi (Squid Ink) Burger Set

Special Halloween Box for the Ika Sumi Burger

The black or as I say dark brown buns of the burger

A peep inside the burger

McDonald’s Japan Website