
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
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Almost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
Documentary about man with no limbs discusses what it’s like to be disabled in Japan
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Two days to hunt down all of Tottori’s 20 Pokémon manhole covers [Part One]
Ghibli Park opens final area to first visitors, with stunning new attractions and shops 【Videos】
What exactly is the treat known as a “kougnané” that’s sold outside Tokyo’s Yurakucho Station?
Do ANA international inflight meals taste better on the ground than they do in the air?
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
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?
We try colorful macarons at a McDonald’s in Shanghai