When most travelers think of local cuisine, they imagine street food stalls, Michelin-starred tasting menus, or hidden neighborhood cafés. Rarely does a golden arch enter the picture. Yet one of the most surprisingly revealing windows into a country’s food culture can be the humble McDonald’s.
Recently,Brie Larson reminded travelers of this truth when she shared a playful review of several seasonal items from McDonald’s in Japan on Instagram. Filming from a dressing room during a trip to the country, she taste-tested a handful of Japan-only menu items and rated them with infectious enthusiasm.
Adventure starts with a click—sign up for our newsletter for travel tips and stories.
Brie Larson’s McDonald’s Japan Food Tour
View this post on Instagram
Larson’s impromptu taste test centered on a few seasonal Japanese items that immediately make American travelers feel they are missing out.
First came the Teritama Sandwich, a combination of teriyaki sauce, egg, cheese, and lettuce layered on a burger bun. Larson seemed surprised by how much she enjoyed it, calling it “extremely good” and rating it a 9 out of 10.
Then she tried Shaka Shaka Chicken, which she described as looking like a “fried chicken patty situation.” You pour a packet of seasoning into the bag and shake everything together until the chicken is coated. Larson’s packet was cheddar flavored, though the taste was more sweet and salty than cheesy. She gave the interactive snack a respectable 7.5 out of 10.
Related: Is Japan Still Safe To Visit Amid Recent Tsunami Warnings?
Next came Shaka Shaka Fries, another DIY experience. Instead of receiving pre-seasoned fries, customers dump their fries into a bag with pizza-flavored powder and shake them like a maraca. Larson joked that McDonald’s could easily do this themselves, but clearly, “they know you want the enjoyment.” The result earned an 8.5.
The standout, though, was the Sakuramochi Pie, a strawberry pastry inspired by cherry blossom season desserts. The packaging alone impressed Larson, but the flavor sealed the deal. She gave it a perfect 10.
Surprising McDonald’s Dishes Around the World
Japan is hardly the only country where McDonald’s gets creative. In fact, the brand’s international menus often feel like a culinary passport.
- In Australia, the chain has served items like the Big Brekkie Burger, with bacon, egg, BBQ sauce, beef patty and a crispy hash brown.
- In Canada, travelers might stumble upon the poutine burger or spicy buffalo chicken poutine fries.
- Meanwhile, in India, where many people avoid beef, menus feature items such as the Butter Chicken Grilled Burger or the Pizza McPuff.
- Spain serves a McExtreme Pulled Pork, which is a meaty sandwich with a beef patty, pulled pork, bacon, crispy fried onions, BBQ sauce, smoked cheese and smoked mayo.
Related: You May Need To Increase Your Travel Budget if You’re Heading to Japan Thanks to New ‘Tourist Taxes’
The Joy of Unexpected Travel Snacks
What made Brie Larson’s video so charming was its sense of discovery. She approached the meal with curiosity rather than expectations. That is exactly the mindset that turns ordinary travel moments into memorable ones.
The best travel experiences are not always planned. Sometimes they are spontaneous. Sometimes they involve shaking pizza powder onto fries in a paper bag. And sometimes, somewhere halfway across the world, a strawberry sakura pie from a fast food chain ends up being one of the most delightful bites of the trip.
