Much like the rest of the world, fast food in Japan is a war of franchises trying to one-up the other. When McDonald’s announced it was getting rid of large-sized fries, Lotteria announced they’d give customers “whatever size they wanted.” When McDonald’s was struggling with the morning crowd, Mos Burger seized the opportunity to strike by offering a traditional Japanese breakfast.
Now that Mister Donut has upped the ante by rolling out a strawberry-chocolate-marshmallow pizza, McDonald’s has answered back with its new strawberry whipped cream donut and shortcake. Who will emerge the victor? Well, so far, it’s looking pretty one-sided.
The two items that McDonald’s is putting out to “welcome in spring” starting on March 3 are the Sugar Donut with Strawberry Whipped Cream and Shortcake with Strawberry Whipped Cream. They’ll be available at any McDonald’s restaurant in Japan with a “McCafé by Barista” installed inside. If you’ve never seen one of those before, it’s basically a small coffee shop inside of a McDonald’s, usually decorated in slightly less gaudy colours than a typical fast food joint.
“McCafé by Barista” has pretty much the same menu that you’d find at any Starbucks: espressos, cappuccinos and all those other caffeinated concoctions, with cakes, muffins and other desserts to match. They spice up the menu every now and then with seasonal items, such as the two new strawberry sweets coming in March.
Unfortunately for McDonald’s, though, early reactions to the new items have not been as warm as they were probably hoping. Mostly netizens are upset over the price of the desserts: 260 yen for the donut, and 360 yen for the slice of cake. Considering Mister Donut’s chocolate-marshmallow-amazing-pizza-thing is almost half the price at just 194 yen, they kind of have a point. Here’s what they had to say:
“I’d rather just have a normal strawberry on top instead of the gross cream, thanks.” “(In response to above) Strawberry cream keeps for longer than normal strawberries, that’s why they use it.” “If they were 100 yen cheaper I’d buy them.” “Yeah, the sponge on that cake does not look like 360-yen quality.” “At that price I can just get a much better cake at a conbini or cake shop.” “Do they think we’re stupid?”
Source: Digital PR Platform
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Discovering the Best Strawberry Shortcake in Japan -- Sweet Holidays! Cupcakes and doughnuts bring in the festive season at Mister Donut Japan -- Japanese Christmas sweets to make at home!
© Japan Today
9 Comments
Login to comment
Serrano
I will try these.
Wc626
The article states that MOS Burger seized the opportunity to strike by offering. A "Traditional" Japanese breakfast. . . . Lo & behold- how about offering a "TRADITIONAL" hamburger once in a while for crying out loud'
nath
MOS is a Japanese fast food chain. Also serving burgers. No complaints about Yoshinoya(Gyudon) serving Japanese breakfast or pizza?
This is Japan so, traditional breakfast is rice, grilled fish, raw egg with soy-sauce, etc so nothing wrong there IMO.
Not too fond of McD mostly went there when son was little, he also no longer wants to visit a McD now.
Wc626
MOS Burger is a fast food chain also serving burgers?? Naw really! What im saying is that their burgers are truly terrible. I aint a Mc D's patron neither. It is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to find a great tasting burger here in Japan.
nath
So you can't find a burger to your liking. There are many places selling great burgers here, just forget most of the franchises.
Sasebo and morebBurgers are praised globally.
Wc626
What? Never heard of it. Maybe cause the best burgers r made in the US. Just like best sushi comes from japan.
nath
Google it.
Most of my US friends love the burgers at Village Vanguard Diners, Zad's and more. Granted no US sized portions.
SenseNotSoCommon
So, less salt, same amount of (or more?) fat, and tons more sugar. Aren't we lovin' it.
nath
They exist. I've had some downright amazing burgers in Japan, but they are the exception rather than the norm.