McDonald’s Japan’s deliciously-loved triangular chocolate pie is making a return this year in an all new cookie’s and cream flavour, in addition to the regular chocolate flavour, both of which will hit branches across Japan for a limited time from October 15.
The chocolate pies have a crunchy exterior made up of layers and layers of delicious pastry. They’re filled with warm, melted chocolate to complete the tempting treat.
This year sees a tasty new entry to the chocolate pie series, one filled with a sweet-smelling vanilla cream containing smashed Oreo® cookies. This creates an enjoyable texture of the smooth cream and the crunchy pie.
There is of course the hugely popular original flavour known as “Black” which contains almonds and sweet melted chocolate cream. Once you order your pie of choice you’ll be left wondering where to start eating from!
Each pie also comes served in their own special packaging, both of which are limited in stock.
Information
Triangular Chocolate Pie – Black
Running: October 15, 2019 – Late December 2019 (subject to change)
Price: ¥130 (Tax Included)
Available: At most McDonald’s branches around Japan
Triangular Chocolate Pie – Cookies & Cream
Running: October 15, 2019 – Mid November 2019 (subject to change)
Price: ¥150 (Tax Included)
Available: At most McDonald’s branches around Japan
McDonald’s Japan Official Website: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
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Ruby chocolate is a variety of chocolate that was introduced in 2017 as the 4th main type of chocolate alongside milk, white and dark. It didn’t hit Japan until October 2018, but since then, the luxury pink delight has been getting much love with the release of many new products. The ruby colour of the cocoa beans is completely natural.
I attended a product conference held by Barry Callebaut, the Belgian-Swiss chocolate company which introduced ruby chocolate to the world. I got to try out various confections made using this chocolate.
When talking about ruby chocolate, you’re inclined to highlight its striking pink colour. But the looks are just part of the story. Compared to dark, white and milk chocolate, ruby chocolate is said to have the strongest cacao fruit flavour. Though it’s chocolate, it has a sour, fruity kind of taste.
Until last year, I was more about the eye-catching pink colour of the chocolate, so I ended up overlooking that ruby chocolate is often paired with berry-type fruits when it comes to confections. I get it nowーso it has a sour taste? Well then, this year I really want to go all out and appreciate the unique flavour of this ruby chocolate.
Today, I’m going to showcase six new products made with Callebaut® Ruby Chocolate. I’ve tried them all, so I can properly break down the flavours and how delicious they are for you!
Ruby Chocolate Otabe – ¥660 (Before Tax)
This Japanese confection is a combination of ruby chocolate and “Otabe,” which is a confection known as “yatsuhashi,” a popular souvenir sweet from Kyoto. Much time is put into making the ganache to ensure the fruitiness of the ruby chocolate remains intact. The ganache is wrapped in chewy yatsuhashi which is made with domestic koshihikari, which is a type of rice, and carefully selected water. There’s no way this could be anything short of delicious!
At the taste-testing session, I got to see the ruby chocolate Otabe being made right in front of me. It was done by a kimono-clad Nara who normally makes confections in the factory.
The rich and sour ganache combined with the chewy yatsuhashi is a match made in heaven! The pink colour really is cute after all, isn’t it? By wrapping the fruity chocolate in mochi, it creates even deeper flavours in your mouth.
This product will be sold at Kyoto Station and various tourist sites around Kyoto, so if you ever visit the city, make sure you’re on the lookout.
Ruby Chocolate Otabe
Running: October 11, 2019 – Early May 2020
Available: At Kyoto Station and tourist spots around Kyoto
Official Website: http://www.otabe.kyoto.jp/
Ruby Mille-feuille – ¥600 (Before Tax)
From Juchheim comes these ruby chocolate-coated mille-feuille fingers, laced with butter from Hokkaido and strawberry and raspberry mixed cream layered into a crunchy sandwich.
The puff pastry is of course tasty, and the sour flavour of the ruby chocolate mixed with the sourness of the berry cream packs a seriously fruity punch. It’s an overall crunchy and rich dessert, but it also has a refreshing taste to it, so one person is sure to be tempted by more than one.
Ruby Mille-feuille
Released: October 1, 2019 (Online orders from October 8, 2019 )
Available: At all 272 branches of Juchheim in Japan / Juchheim Premium Online Shop
Online Shop: https://e-shop.juchheim.co.jp/
Pretzel Cookie – ¥480 Each (Before Tax)
Food company Rosenheim have taken their crunchy butter pretzel cookies and coated them in various chocolate flavours, including ruby, sweet, milk, and white.
The ruby pretzels have that distinct vivid pink colour and of course taste fruity. There’s six in a pack, so you can share them with friends.
Pretzel Cookie
Released: September 20, 2019
Available: At mass retailers across Japan
Christmas Wreath Ruby Framboise – ¥5,000 (Before Tax)
Callebaut’s new ruby chocolate iced cake will be released from Maison Givrée. It’s topped with a ruby chocolate and raspberry ice cream and is adorned with cool and refreshing lychee sorbet.
The best way to eat this cake is when the ice cream has melted a little bit. You can enjoy the sweet fragrance of the ruby chocolate and the marriage between its sour flavour and the raspberry. Try savouring the melted sorbet and ruby chocolate ice cream by leaving it in your mouth.
Christmas Wreath Ruby Framboise
Running: October 11, 2019 – December 13, 2019
Delivery Window: December 20, 2019 – December 25, 2019 (subject to change)
Stock: 50
Available: At Maison Givrée and its online store
Official Website: https://givreetokyo.shop-pro.jp/
Ruby Chocolate Corn Puffs – One Box ¥1,450 (Tax Included)
You can pick up a box of these ruby chocolate corn puffs at Pierre Gagnaire Pains et Gateaux on the 2nd floor of InterContinental ANA Hotel Tokyo. They have a shiny pink pearl-like appearance. The crunchy corn puffs are thick-cut which goes well with that fruity ruby chocolate taste.
Ruby Chocolate Pear Tart – ¥650 (Tax Included)
These cocoa-laced and ruby chocolate powdered baked tarts are also sold at Pierre Gagnaire Pains et Gateaux. They’re topped with almond cream and a pear compote. They’re also topped with a ganache made from ruby chocolate and a redcurrant puree. Their design is made so that it looks like a flower, crowned with extra redcurrants.
Ruby Chocolate Corn Puffs
Running: All year round
Ruby Chocolate Pear Tart
Running: October 1, 2019 – January 14, 2020
Available: Pierre Gagnaire Pains et Gateaux (InterContinental ANA Hotel Tokyo – Floor 2F)
Hotel Official Website: https://anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp/en/
I’m all about ruby chocolate’s deep flavour now. If you’ve yet to try it then you’ve got to get your hands on some, to enjoy both its striking pink appearance and that sour cacao fruit flavour.
Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)
Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga
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Starbucks Japan is opening the portal to a whole new realm of flavour from October 11, 2019. Premonitions reveal that two devilishly delicious masquerade-themed drinks are to emerge for the Halloween season and infiltrate the menus of Starbucks branches across Japan. The two drinks called Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® and Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha, are sure to give you an out-of-body experience.
Just one sip of the Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® will pull you into a masquerade party world. The mysterious full red appearance of this devilish drink is tinged red with a tangy sauce which is a blend of raspberries, cranberries and strawberries. White chocolate brownies have been blended to make the frappuccino base. This is topped with a ghostly cloud of whipped cream sprinkled with dark cocoa powder. Red sauce can be seen trickling down the sides of the cup, tainting the white whipped cream. You will immediately be tricked into treating yourself to this irresistible drink.
Like a luxury dessert, not only do the colours of the frappuccino contrast, but the sweet fruity tang makes for the perfect contrast with the white chocolate brownie
If your regular Starbucks order is the White Mocha, then make way for your new Hallow-queen: The Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha. This is made with a startling shot of espresso which has a sweet yet tangy mixed berry flavour. This is masked with a white mocha flavour.
Starbucks has brewed the perfect potions to steal your heart this Halloween. Dare you try one?
* The above image is an illustration.
Information
Halloween Red Night Frappuccino®
Price: (Tall only) ¥590
Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha* Contains less than 5% raspberry juice
Price: Short ¥450/ Tall ¥490 / Grande ¥530 / Venti® ¥570
*All prices stated before tax
Available: October 11, 2019 – October 31, 2019
*Sales will end once stock has been depleted.
Available at most Starbucks Cafes across the country
Website: https://www.starbucks.co.jp/
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RINGO, a shop which specialised in freshly-baked custard apple pies, has announced that it will release its new Yakitate Custard Oimo Apple Pie on October 17.
RINGO opened its first branch in Ikebukuro, Tokyo back in 2016. Since then, it has expanded and opened 12 branches across Japan, including Osaka and Fukuoka, and 3 stores overseas. They sell over 6 million custard apple pies every year. Since their products are baked fresh in-house, you can watch and see how they are made.
The new Yakitate Custard Oimo Apple Pie is a crunchy 144-layer pie packed full of custard cream and an autumntime sweet potato paste for an added subtle sweetness.
The sweet and sour apple filling is made with a range of domestic apples, including the hatorazu ringo apple from Aomori Prefecture. The pastry is also laced with cocoa powder and topped with roasted white sesame seeds. A deliciously fitting dessert for the autumn season!
Information
Yakitate Custard Oimo Apple Pie
Running: October 17, 2019 – November 10, 2019
Price: ¥465 (Tax Included)
Available: At RINGO branches across Japan (except ekie Hiroshima and Sendai Station)
*There are is a limited number served per day
Official Website: http://ringo-applepie.com
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On January 13, McDonald’s Japan released a colorful music video on YouTube featuring two of the biggest J-pop mega-hits of the last year! The remix combines Ado’s Odo and asmi’s PAKU with the familiar sound of the French Fry buzzer. A rhythm game using this song will also be available on TikTok starting on January 30!
In March 2019, the McDonald’s French Fry buzzer became a popular theme on TikTok with over 150 million views.
This remix may not be what most people expected, but it’s incredibly catchy and might make you hungry at the same time. Check out the McDonald’s Fry Buzzer Remix at the link below!
The neon-drenched music video features 3D models of both Odo-chan and PAKU-chan along with the three French Fry Brothers hanging out at an incredibly colorful and futuristic McDonald’s restaurant.
Be sure to check out the rhythm game coming to TikTok for a limited time starting January 30!
Information
McDonald’s Fry Buzzer Remix
Available: January 13 – late March 2023
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/ -
On August 5, McDonald’s Japan will begin selling some summer-only sweets! The McShake Doraemon Ramune and Doraemon Choco Banana Pie items are based on a summer festival, and the packaging will feature adorable Doraemon imagery.
These treats will bring back memories of summer festivals, with popular flavors like chocolate banana and ramune. Each sweet will be available in a total of six newly-designed packages, so you might need to buy a few until you get your favorite character!
McShake Doraemon Ramune
The McShake Doraemon Ramune features the nostalgic flavor of ramune and a creamy texture. Two types of ramune flavors were used to create a taste that will keep you coming back for more, and citrus flavors were added to create a refreshing flavor perfect for summer. This tasty treat is available in three versions–Doraemon, Nobita, and Gian.
Doraemon Chocolate Banana Pie
The Doraemon Chocolate Banana Pie consists of a crispy pie crust packed with banana filling and a rich chocolate sauce. Fans of Doraemon can grab this pie in three different sleeves–Dorami, Shizuka, and Suneo.
※Product images for illustration purposes only. Actual products may vary.
Happy Meal
Round 1: August 5 – August 11
Round 2: August 12 – August 18
In addition, Doraemon-related items will be packed with every Happy Meal starting August 5.
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McDonald’s Japan locations with ‘McCafe by Barista’ areas will begin selling special spring treats for a limited time starting April 6, 2022. Customers will be able to grab the ‘Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe’ and the ‘Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart.’
McCafe by Barista invites guests to enjoy high-quality frappes and smoothies. The Uji Matcha Frappe was added to the regular product lineup in June 2021, and features a mellow matcha flavor. The Strawberry variant is coming back for the first time in three years. The Mont Blanc Tart is a new addition, and is a perfect treat to enjoy with this popular frappe!
Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe: ¥490
The Strawberry Matcha Frappe mixes together the full-bodied flavor of matcha together with sweet and sour strawberries. It includes both a strawberry paste made from whole strawberries and a strawberry whipped cream at the bottom. The drink is topped with more strawberry whipped cream and a sprinkling of matcha powder. The refreshing taste of the strawberry sauce coupled with the whipped cream serves to elevate the great flavor of the Uji Matcha even more.
Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart: ¥390
The Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart is made with Uji Matcha batter, Uji Matcha whipped cream, white bean paste, and green tea cream. The refined sweetness is complemented by the mellow aroma and slight bitterness of Uji Matcha.
How would you like to enjoy these treats beneath the cherry trees?
Information
Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe
Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart
Available: April 6 – Mid-May, 2022
Available at Participating McDonald’s Japan Locations with ‘McCafe by Barista’
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
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McDonald’s Japan will start selling the new Sakura Mochi Pie starting March 23, 2022 for a limited time only.
The new pie is inspired by sakura mochi, a traditional wagashi sweet popular during spring.
Sakura mochi is typically made from mochi rice cakes filled with a sweet red bean paste and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf. The McDonald’s pie is filled with azuki red bean paste and a chewy, sakura-flavored mochi that features bits of pickled sakura leaves.
The packaging will also feature spring designs and each pie costs just ¥150. They will be available until mid-April.
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Starting March 4, McDonald’s locations in Japan are selling two new Happy Meals inspired by Pokemon and Tabekko Dobutsu!
Each Pokemon set includes a Pokemon Mezastar tag, allowing kids to battle and catch Pokemon using tags. Five original tags featuring popular characters like Pikachu and Piplup will be available, as well as Legendary Pokemon like Palkia and Arceus! In addition to tags, kids will also be able to play games using Pokemon names on a special Shiritori sheet included with each meal.
Tabekko Doubutsu is a classic Japanese snack, much like animal crackers in the west. This is the first time these characters are appearing at McDonald’s. The lineup includes five varieties of McDonald’s original coloring pages and stickers featuring familiar characters such as Lion, Bunny, and Elephant. Each sticker also includes the name of each animal in Japanese and English!
©2022 Pokémon. ©1995-2022 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Developed by T-ARTS and MARV©ギンビス
Information
Happy Meal ‘Pokemon Mezastar’
Happy Meal ‘Tabekko Doubutsu’
Available: For 2 weeks starting March 4
Where to Get: Participating McDonald’s Locations Nationwide
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/menu/happyset/
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McDonald’s locations across Japan are now offering Curious George and Sumikko Gurashi Happy Meals for a limited time!
The Curious George set features six different toys that can be assembled and controlled by turning the gears. This year’s theme is inspired by creativity, shape recognition, and teaching children how things work. When the colorful gears on the toy are turned, the force is transmitted to the swing, Ferris wheel, seesaw, and other items, causing George to swing and spin! The first set of toys include ‘George’s Seesaw,’ featuring George and the Man in the Yellow Hat, and ‘George’s Swing,’ featuring George happily swinging back and forth. The second set will include ‘George’s Ferris Wheel’ and ‘George’s Rocket Ride.’
The Sumikko Gurashi includes six kinds of puzzles decorated with illustrations of popular characters. The theme of these toys is color and shape recognition, imagination, and communication. The front side of each puzzle shows Sumikko and Minikko, and the backside displays an illustration of a story related to a particular Sumikko character. By putting the pieces together one by one, children develop their ability to recognize shapes and move their fingers with increased dexterity. The inside of the case that comes with the puzzle is decorated with stories about Sumikko and her friends. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sumikko Gurashi, a new character called ‘Deshi’ will appear on the case as well, and by scanning the QR code on the back of the case, customers can play an original mini-game!
From January 8 until January 10, participating locations will also be giving away Curious George and Sumikko Gurashi stickers with the purchase of each set.
Information
Curious George Happy Meal
Sumikko Gurashi Happy Meal
Available Now
McDonald’s Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
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McDonald’s Japan locations with McCafe by Barista installations will begin selling the Cookies & Cream Frappe for a limited time starting December 8, 2021. The McCafe by Barista corner employs full-time baristas serving ‘authentic cafe coffee.’
McCafe by Barista invites guests to enjoy high-quality frappuccinos and smoothies and these locations are offering three unique Frappes this winter. Following the Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappe and normal Creme Brulee Frappe released in late November, the Cookies & Cream Frappe will release soon, filled with rich vanilla sweetness!
Cookies & Cream Frappe Medium: ¥470 / Large: ¥540 (Tax Included)
The drink is a rich blend of creamy vanilla made from Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans, blended with crunchy Oreo cookie bits and topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. What’s not to love?
Information
Cookies & Cream Frappe
Release Date: December 8, 2021
Where to Buy: McDonald’s Japan Locations with McCafe by Barista
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/winter-frappe/
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Each winter, McDonald’s Japan releases the wildly popular Gratin Croquet Burger, or Gurakoro for short. Starting December 1, this year’s iteration of the popular sandwich will be available at shops nationwide. This time, it’s the Angus Beef Bolognese Gurakoro, blending a creamy croquette with ripe tomatoes and stewed coarse-ground Angus beef Bolognese.
The Gurakoro burger is made with a creamy white sauce blended with shrimp and macaroni, combined with cabbage and a special spicy croquette sauce. Basically, it tastes a lot like macaroni and cheese on a bun! Crispy on the outside and velvety on the inside, it’s a dish that’s perfect to warm you up after a long day in the winter cold. The new TV commercial for the Gurakoro features actress Mikako Tabe, and the theme is ‘let’s warm up the year.’
How would you like to give one of these a try?
Information
Gurakoro
Angus Beef Bolognese Gurakoro Burger
Release Date: December 1, 2021
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
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McDonald’s Japan will be offering up a particularly tasty treat for the winter holidays! Starting November 24, the chain will release the Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappuccino for a limited time at stores featuring a McCafe by Barista corner. These locations employ full-time baristas serving ‘authentic cafe coffee.’
McCafe by Barista invites guests to enjoy high-quality frappuccinos and smoothies, and this winter, there are plenty of dessert-like additions to the menu. This Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappuccino is the first in the new lineup, combining strawberries and the annual winter staple, the Creme Brulee Frappuccino.
Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappuccino Medium: ¥470 / Large: ¥540
Creme Brulee Frappuccino Medium: ¥470 / Large: ¥540
This new release has a base mixture of rich milk and creme brulee syrup, blended with sweet and sour strawberry sauce with crushed strawberries, fluffy creme brulee whipped cream, and thinly baked crushed cookies, all topped with a bittersweet caramel sauce.
Information
Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappuccino
Available: November 24, 2021 – Mid-January 2022
Available at Participating McDonald’s Locations with McCafe by Barista Nationwide
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
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McDonald’s Japan has just released a tasty new treat for winter! The Black Thunder Winter Lightning McFlurry, a collaboration with the popular chocolate bar Black Thunder, is now available at participating locations nationwide.
This popular collaboration firsts appeared in 2017 and is now available in winter for the first time. Even though the weather is chilly, it’s impossible not to want to eat this unique blend of dark and white chocolate. The sugar rush is sure to get you through the day!
Black Thunder Winter Lightning McFlurry: ¥290 (Tax Included)
Smooth soft-serve ice cream is mixed with Black Thunder incused cocoa cookies and plain cookies, then topped with two types of chocolate sauce. What’s not to love about this blend of textures and flavors? Be sure to grab one before they disappear at the end of November!
Information
Black Thunder Winter Lightning McFlurry
Available: November 4 – end of November
Where to Buy: Participating McDonald’s Locations Nationwide
Sales Hours: 10:30-close (Until 1:00AM at 24-hour locations)
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
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Here’s something you can only find in Japan: starting September 29, McDonald’s locations throughout the country will add three new tasty sandwiches wrapped in rice buns to the menu for a limited time! These include the Gohan Chicken Filet with Garlic and Black Pepper, the Gohan Shrimp Filet with Spicy Sauce, and the Gohan Teriyaki Burger!
Each sandwich features a fluffy bun made entirely from domestically-grown rice and will be sold after 5 PM as part of the Yoru Mac (Night Mac) menu. Items on this late-night menu offer customers one special perk: any amount of meat can be doubled for only ¥100! Originally introduced in 2020, these burgers were a smash hit, mixing a traditional Japanese staple with western flavors.
Gohan Chicken Filet with Garlic and Black Pepper: ¥410
Gohan Shrimp Filet with Spicy Sauce: ¥440
Guests are sure to enjoy each of these two brand-new menu items. The Chicken Filet features a garlic and black pepper sauce, while the Shrimp Filet is filled with plump shrimp cutlets with a spicy red-pepper-based glaze.
A new series of ads for the new products starring popular actors Satoshi Tsumabuki and Jun Shison will begin airing on September 28.
Gohan Burger ‘Rice Farmers/Episode 1’ – 30-second ad
More new additions to the Gohan Burger lineup are expected in late October, so keep an eye out! Would you like to try one of these the next time you’re in Japan?
Information
Gohan Chicken Filet with Garlic and Black Pepper
Gohan Shrimp Filet with Spicy Sauce
Available: September 29, 2021 – Mid-November, 2021 at participating McDonald’s Japan locations
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
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In Japan, McDonalds McCafe by Barista will be releasing the new Kuromitsu Uji Matcha Frappe beginning September 1. The sweet autumn drink will only be available for a limited time.
McCafe by Barista has been popular with customers looking for sweet beverages, such as Frappes and smoothies. The Uji Matcha Frappe was added to the regular product lineup in June 2021, and features a mellow matcha flavor. With this release, kuromitsu, or Japanese black sugar syrup, has been added to enhance the drink’s flavor.
Kuromitsu Uji Matcha Frappe: ¥490 (M), ¥560 (L)
The Kuromitsu Uji Matcha Frappe is made with powdered Uji Matcha tea from Kyoto, mixed with milk and topped with Kuromitsu jelly, known for its gentle sweetness and rich flavor. Brown sugar from Okinawa Prefecture along with whipped cream is added on top.
Uji Matcha Frappe: ¥440 (M), ¥490 (L)
The regularly available Uji Matcha Frappe is made with Uji Matcha powder from Kyoto, milk, and fluffy whipped cream. Dark green matcha powder and pure white whipped cream gives the beverage a gorgeous appearance, along with a truly Japanese flavor.
These are two drinks not to miss if you’re in Japan!
Information
Kuromitsu Uji Matcha Frappe
Release Date: September 1, 2021
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
