When you’re hungry and want to eat right away, and are unconcerned about your health, nothing works better than fast food. There many different American fast food chains in Japan, let’s look at a few of the most common ones.
McDonalds (マクドナルド）
McDonald’s is one of the most popular fast food chains in the world, and you can find them all over Japan. The great thing about McDonald’s in the US is that the menu is the same no matter where you go. And it’s the same in Japan.
There are some special menu items in Japan, like the teriyaki burger or the fried shrimp burger. And they often have limited-time promotions with speciality sandwiches, like the Big American promotion. But the core of the McDonald’s menu in Japan is largely the same as what you’d find in the US. You can easily get classic American items such as the Quarter Pounder, Double Cheeseburger and even the famous Big Mac at any McDonald’s in Japan.
This makes McDonald’s the perfect place for American visitors to get a taste of home while they’re in Japan. But be prepared to pay a little more than you would in the US.
You can check out McDonald’s Japan’s website for exclusive seasonal promotions and menu items. It’s a great way to see what unique offers they have available.
KFC (ケンタッキーフライドチキン)
In Japan, people commonly call KFC “Kentucky.” It’s another very popular American fast food brand in the country. But there are some major differences between Japanese KFC and American KFC.
The biggest difference is that the menu in Japan has almost no white meat chicken – it’s almost all dark meat. They also don’t offer an extra-crispy fried chicken option like in the US. And just like with McDonald’s, the prices at KFC in Japan are significantly higher than in America.
One really surprising thing is that in Japan, KFC is a hugely popular Christmas food! It’s not at all unusual to see Japanese people going to KFC on Christmas Day. You can even find crazy KFC Christmas commercials on YouTube to see how big of a tradition it is. If you visit a KFC in Japan, just be prepared to pay a lot more than you would back home. And get ready for a menu that’s heavy on the dark meat chicken.
Check out KFC’s website for more information on their food and commercials.
Burger King (バーガーキング)
Burger King isn’t as common in Japan as places like McDonald’s, but you can still find them in many parts of the Kanto region. And just like McDonald’s, the Burger King menu in Japan is largely the same as in the US, with a few Japanese specialities thrown in.
One really wild menu item they have is called “The Meat Monster”. It’s a sandwich with two beef patties, bacon and a chicken patty all in one! It’s probably the most American thing to ever happen in Japan.
Another big difference is that at Burger King in Japan you can actually order alcohol with your meal. And the prices are pretty cheap too. You can get a highball for 350 yen or a beer for just 400 yen. So Burger King can be a great place for a small drinking party!
Burger King may not be as ubiquitous as some of the other fast food chains in Japan, but it’s still an option if you’re in the mood for some familiar American fare with a few unique Japanese twists. And you can even pair it with an affordable alcoholic drink, something you definitely can’t do at most fast food places back home!
Check out the cheapest alcohol menu of Burger King here!
Subway (サブウェイ）
Next, let’s talk about Subway in Japan. Much like Burger King and McDonald’s, the Subway menu in Japan is largely the same as you’d find in the US, with just a few speciality items. And that’s a good thing, because sandwich shops are actually quite rare in Japan. Aside from a few coffee shops that also serve sandwiches, it can be really hard for sandwich-loving foreigners to find a dedicated sandwich shop other than Subway.
Some classic Subway options like the meatball sub aren’t available in Japan, but you can still get staples like the Subway Club. The one big difference is that they don’t offer the 500 yen foot-long deals that you can find in the States. But overall, Subway provides a nice taste of home for those craving a good sandwich in Japan. It’s one of the few dedicated sandwich shops, making it a go-to for many expats and visitors. Just don’t expect the same deals and promotions you’d see back home.
You can find menu of Subway here.
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