
The beleaguered fast-food giant wants everyone in Japan to know that it is now your one-stop spot for decadent Viennese Sachertortes and delectable Chocolat Zuccotto.
The year 2015 has not been kind to McDonald’s Japan. Month after the month the company has been hemorrhaging revenue and closing up shops across the country. Ever since being involved in a tainted meat scandal the previous year, public sentiment hasn’t seemed to change in any significant fashion.
It’s not for lack of trying on the part of McDonald’s either. While some speculate that a more sincere apology at the outset of the chicken scandal would have avoided this situation to begin with, McDonald’s has decided to dig in their heels and win over hearts with more service and enticing products rather than tears and kowtowing.
The fruits of their labor has been a mixed bag containing some really good ideas like McNugget buckets and anko pies. However, there were also several baffling moves such as reinstating free smiles, complaints apps, making the price of a double cheeseburger higher than that of two single cheeseburgers, and a promotion that gave away free burgers to people who have names that don’t actually exist.
History has yet to decide where this next move will fall. Two new fancy cakes will be served through McDonald’s relatively high-end coffee corner McCafe by Barista available in select stores.
From this month joining the ranks of Double Berry Cake and Banana-Flavored Milk Cake are Sachertortes and Chocolat Zuccotto.
The Chocolat Zuccotto is an Italian dessert which consists of a mixture of almonds and chocolate chips in cream all encased in chocolate sponge cake dome. It will become a part of the permanent menu for 320 yen (US$2.64).
The Sachertorte is an Austrian cake known for its deep chocolate flavor which in McDonald’s case are layers of chocolate sponge cake soaked with chocolate sauce and all coated in a dark chocolate icing. Unlike the Zuccotto, this is a limited time item, available only until around mid-January 2016 for 360 yen ($2.97).
Early response to the new cakes online has been quite good with many applauding McDonald’s ability to balance quality and price.
“This quality at this price… Awesome!”
“The Sachertorte was the most strongly delicious.”
“The McCafe new cake Chocolat Zuccotto is freaking good.”
“The nuts [in the Chocolat Zuccotto] sets the deliciousness apart from other cakes.”
Of course, despite the high praise these cakes have received, it hasn’t changed peoples’ minds about the fast food chain overnight. There were plenty of dissenting opinions such as: “The Sachertorte is just good enough to say ‘Eh, at this price why not?'” with many asking the quintessential question: “Where the hell are those McCafe by Barista shops anyway?”
McDonald’s Japan still has a long road ahead of it to reverse its fortunes, but at least it can ride out the remainder of this rough year with a little bit of positive feedback. Who knows what’s in store both for or from the Golden Arches in 2016?
Source: McDonald’s, J-Cast Trend, Hachima Kiko (Japanese)




McDonald’s Japan releases matcha green tea cake, frappes and lattes for a limited time
McDonald’s Japan adds Oreo cookie cakes to its menu
McDonald’s Japan unveils new Oreo and matcha green tea frappe
This Malta McDonald’s is more a cafe than a restaurant–and perfectly located for a relaxing tea
McDonald’s Japan teams up with Godiva for the first time to create delicious new dessert drink
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
This is possibly the coziest train in all Japan thanks to onboard hot spring footbaths【Pics】
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
Check out this 8m robot that appeared on Tokyo’s waterfront【Video】
Here’s what to expect if it’s your first time seeing kabuki at Tokyo’s Kabuki-za Theater
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
How to turn cold McDonald’s fries into the best hash browns you’ve ever tasted
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
McDonald’s Japan adds limited-edition French macarons to their menu
McDonald’s Japan’s matcha dessert family grows with the new strawberry green tea Frappe
McDonald’s Japan is bringing back their matcha treats again this year with a new twist
Look out, Starbucks — McDonald’s Japan has now entered the dessert drink game
McDonalds Japan and Godiva Chocolate’s collab coffee frappe is dismayingly delicious【Taste test】
Japan is going bananas over … bananas! We try new banana drinks from Starbucks and McDonald’s
McDonald’s Japan adds three tasty new popcorn drinks to their menu
McDonald’s Japan goes high-class with new line of crème brûlée dessert beverages
Satisfy your sweet tooth and coffee craving with McDonald’s new Coffee Jelly Pudding Frappe
“Do they think we’re stupid?” McDonald’s Japan’s new, unappealing strawberry shortcake and donut
McDonald’s releases new “Yakki” burger based on a popular Japanese meal
McDonald’s adds a Mint Chocolate Oreo Frappe to its menu in Japan for a limited time
The most satisfying McDonald’s burger, according to Japanese customers
New luxury kuromitsu matcha frappe hits McDonald’s Japan’s McCafé for a limited time
What are McDonald’s macarons really like in Japan?
McDonald’s Japan reveals the pocket monster flavour for the new Pokémon McFlurry
Leave a Reply