Free Express Shipping on Orders $175+

🎄 Priority Shipping available on select items! 🎄

Add $40.00 to reach the minimum spend of $40.

Us vs Japan McDonald's

by Theo Ponthieux

Although Big Macs are fantastic, they aren't the only reason why McDonald's continues to be well-liked year after year. Bright lights, fast food, dependability, smile-filled service, and cleanliness are all traits that customers and employees associate with McDonald's. It is possible to expect beyond just serving distinctive burgers with special sauce anywhere on the planet. This fast food company undoubtedly satisfies a demand in the market. When individuals travel abroad, McDonald's restaurants provide a sense of comfort; there is no need to worry about whether the local food will be adequate because there is a McDonald's on every corner. No matter where you go in the world, McDonald's is McDonald's. It is a global fast-food establishment that serves cheap, delicious, and healthy meals. But each nation gives a distinctive spin on the McDonald's experience. Let's take a look at the huge difference between American Mcdonalds and Japanese Mcdonalds.

History of Mcdonald's

History of McDonald's

Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a restaurant in San Bernardino, California, when they formed the American international fast food restaurant, the McDonald's. They changed the name of their company to a hamburger stand and then converted it into a franchise. In 1953, the Golden Arches emblem was first used at a restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona. Nowadays, McDonald's served over 69 million customers daily across 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries, making it the largest restaurant chain in the world by sales. McDonald's sells chicken products, breakfast meals, happy meals, soft drinks, milkshakes, wraps, and desserts, in addition to its well-known beef hamburgers, cheeseburger, and french fries. And due to public nutritional demand, the restaurants introduced fruit, rice and fish, smoothies, and salads.

Japanese McDonald's

McDonald's was well established in America by 1971. However, they only had a small number of restaurants in other nations, such as Canada. That's why Den Fujita set out to bring McDonald's in Japan after being enamored with how well-liked and effective the restaurant chain was. It was the first McDonalds in all of Asia when it opened in a Ginza department store in Tokyo in July 1971. Soon after McDonald's opened up shop there, Japanese businesses entered the fast-food industry. However, McDonald's could stay ahead of the competition thanks to its first mover advantage. In an aggressive move, McDonald's opened several hundred new locations annually. With around 3,600 locations, Japan has the second-highest number of McDonald's restaurants worldwide.

McDonald's in Japan

Japan's McDonalds menu differences is no exception to other countries. The menu offers dishes and beverages with Japanese culture, such as Sokenbicha, Kikyoshingen Mochi Pie, Teriyaki McBurger, and Chicken Tatsuta have already been included. Customers can choose from a wide selection of items at McDonalds in Japan. Many of the menu's distinctive offerings go nicely together. So don't be reluctant to combine them. Every taste bud may be satisfied at McDonald's in Japan, from the sweet to the savory. Do yourself a favor and go to McDonald's in Japan if you're a McDonald's fan and haven't had the chance to.

Differences Between McDonald’s In America & Japan

Price

Fast food, like that from McDonald's, is affordable when compared to other types of cuisine. No matter what country you're in, they offer cheap food you'll surely enjoy, from happy meals, meat patty, cheese and egg, and burger of your choice. However, McDonald's does have a slight price premium in Japan. You wind up spending a little bit more in Japan for the same food even though many of the menu items are the same. You'll obviously be paying with Japanese Yen rather than American Dollars so these altering costs won't be visible. But when you sum everything up, Japan does have a higher cost of available menus.

Menu

Japanese Mcdonald's menu

Most individuals are at least somewhat familiar with what is sold at McDonalds in America. Well-known foods include the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Happy Meal, Chicken McNuggets, and McFlurry. These products are also available in Japan. However, there are also many additional unusual items. In Japan, burgers like the McPork, Mega Tamago, Bacon Lettuce Burger, Teriyaki McBurger, Ebi Filet-O, and Mega Mac are highly popular. 

Size

Us and Japan McDonald's cup size comparison

It should not be surprising that the McDonald's menu items in Japan and the United States differ. However, the menu differs in that many of the portion sizes are much different. In the US, everything is often bigger. Even the smallest size of a beverage or a serving of fries is bigger than the smallest size offered in Japan. The McDonalds large-size drink container is considerably smaller in Japan than in America.

Additionally, the calorie count in a large Coca-Cola illustrates the size disparity, which would be 181 calories in Japan. A large Coke would have 310 calories in the US. The soda and calories in the American size are roughly double. Overall, Japanese menus reflect that they are simply accustomed to consuming smaller portions than Americans.

Refills

You can get free refills at McDonald's in the United States. However, this luxury is not offered in Japan. You receive the drink that is presented to you, and you must pay additional fees for additional drinks. Additionally, if you asked for more ketchup at a McDonalds in the US, the workers probably wouldn't think much. But in Japan, since they aren't used to giving customers more than what generally comes with the order, this can make the staff members anxious. Again, this seems to be related to the fact that Americans are accustomed to consuming more food and drink than Japanese people are.

Order Customization

In America, order customization is commonplace. It doesn't usually bother the staff if you want to upgrade part of your order, add something to your burger, or decide you don't like a particular toy that comes with the meal. However, customizing your order is significantly more difficult in Japan, though. Most Japanese diners simply choose what is on the menu without changing anything. Therefore, Japanese workers may become confused when you enter and request a change to your order. Not that they won't do it for you, though. They might simply be a little perplexed.

Store Atmosphere

McDonald's Japan

Compared to a typical American McDonald's, a Japanese McDonald's ambiance is considerably different. More than just a cheap dining option, McDonald's has become a well-liked gathering place in Japan. Even if they don't go to McDonalds to eat fast food, people in Japan enjoy going there to kill time. This changes the atmosphere completely. It's just like any other hip spot in Japan to hang out!

McDonald's in America

In contrast, Americans don't typically hang out at McDonalds in the United States. You can grab inexpensive cuisine there and perhaps a snack on your way home after a night out with pals. Americans think of McDonald's as a quick-service restaurant where they can get inexpensive food.

 

It might be common knowledge now that the Japanese tend to take their cuisine to the next level with their regionally and culturally centered products, and Japan's most popular fast food chains, Mcdonalds, inspired snacks and products are no exception. Here are some of the products that mimic the famous Mcdonald's burger.

 

Umaibo: Teriyaki Burger Flavor

Umaibo: Teriyaki Burger Flavor

 

Pringles: Cheese Burger

Pringles: Cheese Burger

Japanese Burger Shop Erasers

Japanese Burger Shop Erasers

Sumikko Gurashi Burger Plush

Sumikko Gurashi Burger Plush

 

 


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


Author Bio

Us vs Japan McDonald's

Subtotal:

Market icon

Shipping, Taxes, and Discounts Calculated at Checkout

Subtotal:

frozen icon

Shipping, Taxes, and Discounts Calculated at Checkout