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Homesick for American food in Japan!

ArmandV

Eight Times To Japan
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While in Japan (if you happen to be American), and you have a sudden craving for a Big Mac, don't fret! You can find American food in Tokyo and in other places in Japan.

Here's a blog on the subject:

Homesick for American food in Japan?
 
the mcdonalds in japan isn't as greasy as the american big macs. speaking of which... mega tomato...mmmmmmmmmm

raverboy
 
Actually I find the McDonald's in Japan strikingly similar to those in the US, only reinforcing how artificial everything tastes. Meat, lettuce, and bread should taste different in different parts of the world...

Had my first Mega Mac and double QPC here...tasted pretty much how I expected them to.
 
How much trouble can it be to find a McDonalds in Japan? These days all you have to do is close your eyes, turn around three times, and spit. Open your eyes and chances are that you've spit on either a McDonalds or a 7-11.
 
Being homesick for American food is like having heroin withdrawal isn't it?
You're kind of better off without it.

As Mike Cash said, you can't go far without seeing a McD's, sometimes they're on opposite sides of the street just so people don't have to cross.

If you really need a kick of hydrogenated fat, high-glucose fructose and all the trimmings TGIFriday's is a good bet. Last time I was there it was the only chain with decent portions.

If by American food you just mean a good old fashioned burger then there are a number of burger joints in Tokyo. I for some reason really like Village Vanguard burgers.
 
If In 'n Out Burger or Tommy's opened outlets in Japan, I'd be going there instead of McDonald's. You'd have be a Los Angeles resident to appreciate those places.

Mike Cash said:
How much trouble can it be to find a McDonalds in Japan? These days all you have to do is close your eyes, turn around three times, and spit. Open your eyes and chances are that you've spit on either a McDonalds or a 7-11.
Click to expand...

I've seen way more Am-Pm Mini Marts than 7-11s in Japan.

As I mentioned in my article, I like Becker's burgers in Tokyo.
 
Last edited:
ArmandV said:
I've seen way more Am-Pm Mini Marts than 7-11s in Japan.
Click to expand...

All depends on where you are, I suppose. The infestation of the different chains varies regionally. In the Kanto area 7-11 is king, followed closely by Lawson and Family Mart.

I like to think I get around a fair little bit during the course of the day, and I've seen more defunct re-purposed ex-7-11s than I have AM/PM and Mini Stop combined. They're ruthless about securing stores in new territories in an effort to shut out the other chains, whether the location has a decent chance of succeeding or not. After all, it is the franchisee who takes the hit, so what does the honsha care?
 
Yeah, here in Shizuoka Am-Pm is pretty much non-existent to my knowledge. 7-11 is pretty much king followed by Circle K. Then Family Mart, Ministop and Lawson all seem to be fighting for 3rd place. But I don't think including 7-11 as representative of American food is correct considering, at least from my experience, the two are nothing alike, same with Denny's, completely different menu and pricing. The only restaurant in Japan where I have truly felt like I was eating back home was Outback. I just wish I did not have to go all the way to Nagoya to eat there.
 
I think Mosu burger is way better than Makudo, except the kids always want a happy meal with the toy.
 
Chidoriashi said:
YBut I don't think including 7-11 as representative of American food is correct
Click to expand...

That wasn't my intent. I was only using them as a comparison of how widespread McDonalds locations have become.
 
Mike Cash said:
That wasn't my intent. I was only using them as a comparison of how widespread McDonalds locations have become.
Click to expand...

Unless you want to include a hot dog on a stick (which I've seen at some 7-11s) as American food.

I agree with Mike, but a 7-11 in Kyoto did satisfy my craving for a Snickers candy bar, they actually had them!
 
when you've got a hangover, or all the local restaurants are closed because you were out drinking too late, am/pms are the life savers.

raverboy
 
Define "American food." If you want American chain restaurants, there are a ton of them, particularly Tokyo. TGI Fridays and Outback Steakhouse in Shinagawa, Shakey's Pizza (well, not quite like the pizza here), even El Torito (even have one in Tsukuba) chain from California which I've had to resort to when in Japan for a month. El Torito doesn't hold a candle to good old Tex-Mex (Cali-Mex is a few steps below Tex-Mex IMO), but where else do you get a refried bean fix in Japan? There are also plenty of Wendy's and Pizza Huts. Red Lobster, Sizzler, and even Marble Slab Creamery. Thankfully I can honestly say I've never set foot in a Hard Rock Cafe in Japan.
 
From a couple of Tokyo Cooney's videos from YouTube I learned that "Freshness Burger" and "Moss Burger" are pretty good and is close to American fast food.
 
the mcdonalds in japan isn't as greasy as the american big macs.

Had one at the Discovery Bay Macs a while back and had one in Japan 20 minutes ago.

No difference.
 
Starbucks

No one's mentioned Starbucks on this thread, yet. There may be more Starbucks than McDs in Tokyo. There are also many KFC outlets, Baskin & Robbins, Stone Cold Creamery, etc. You can also find Haagen Daz, Coke, Pepsi, potato chips, etc. in convenience stores and supermarkets. I think Outback Steakhouse has the most "American ambiance" in casual restaurants here, even though it's supposed to be Australian.
 
Dogen Z said:
No one's mentioned Starbucks on this thread, yet. There may be more Starbucks than McDs in Tokyo.
Click to expand...

As luck would have it, most of the places I stayed at during my last Japan trip had a Starbuck's nearby. One thing I did find out about them, they don't honor Starbuck's gift cards from the U.S. For the heck of it, I took out the card instead of cash and the girl at the register just stared at it. It was hilarious! She had no idea what it was for. This was in Nagasaki.

We did throw a dinner party at the Roppongi TGI Friday's five years ago.
 
I am not surprised at Starbucks being in Japan. The way that damn company spreads, like a virus, it wouldn't surprise me if they had one or two outlets in the mountains in Afghanistan for the Taliban.
 
On my last trip, I discovered The Beat Diner that's under the shinkansen tracks separating Ginza and Hibya. Great burgers and classic rock 'n roll.
 
I just go to Costco. It makes me feel like I'm at home.
 
I'm never homesick for American food.
I've never even been to America!

I like Japanese food a lot, but I sometimes get homesick for German food.
Cheese, dark bread, whole-grain bread, muesli and several other things are rare and expensive here in Japan.
I usually go to "Kaldi" to buy imported food, although the prices really hurt.

I've never been to Costco. Never lived close to one.

Kobe has a few bakeries where I can get fresh German bread and pretzles sometimes.

I don't like beer, but I bet a lot of Germans miss good beer here in Japan.
 
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