
We got a sneak peek at McDonald’s Japan’s upcoming menu item: a burger topped with Hokkaido-grown mashed potato, cheese, and onion soy sauce.
On February 2, McDonald’s Japan plans to release a new, as-yet untitled, burger tentatively described as “Hokkaido hot potato and cheddar cheese with a juicy beef patty topped with onion sauce full of roasted soy sauce flavor”. They gave Makku enthusiasts the chance to get a first taste test at one location from January 26, so naturally we had to be there. Here are our heroic reporters’ findings!
Overall, the burger’s appearance didn’t differ much from a typical McDonald’s burger, and our reporters were a little disappointed that the burger didn’t really compare to the promo images; the buns looked to be on point, but otherwise the outside of the burger left much to be desired.
Of course, everyone knows it’s what inside that really makes or breaks a burger, so our men quickly flipped their respective lids to look inside. The upper deck of the burger contains bacon slices topped with creamy Hokkaido-grown potato while the lower level of the burger is where you’ll find the beef patty topped with Hokkaido cheddar cheese and the delicious-sounding onion sauce mentioned earlier. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a tremendous amount of any of said toppings, however, and the burger is a little bit sad-looking.
Going in for the first bite, our reporters noticed that these were no ordinary buns, however. The bread, they told us, was some of the finest they’d had at McDonald’s—so good, in fact, that they went so far as to say that McDonald’s should use these buns for all of its hamburgers. High praise indeed.
After the buns comes the hot potato filling. Combined with the taste of the bread, it has an almost synergistic effect and is really quite potent, but sadly the taste of the bacon, beef patty and sauce below are somewhat lacking in punch by comparison. Great start, mediocre ending.
As the men chomped their way through their burgers, they started thinking up possible contenders for its name while sharing their thoughts on the new McOffering.
P.K.
“It was surprisingly good—it makes me think McDonald’s is really out to get it this time! I’d name it the ‘Get it! Burger’.”
Nakazawa
“It could have used a little more of that potato filling, so I’m calling it the ‘Could Have Been Better Burger’.”
Mr. Sato
“I wasn’t crazy about the taste. It just didn’t deliver enough in the tasty department so I’m calling it the ‘Weak Sauce Burger’, or possibly the ‘Quick Climax Burger’ because of all the potential it looked like it had after taking that first bite.”
In any case, we’re curious for the big name reveal coming soon! Got any name suggestions? Let us know below!
All images © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]






McDonald’s Japan stuffs up our order for a New York burger
McDonald’s Japan starts new campaign featuring burgers from their overseas restaurants
McDonald’s Japan adds new beef burgers to their regular menu for the first time in eight years
McDonald’s releases new rice burgers in Japan
Samurai Mac burgers arrive at McDonald’s Japan
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
We fulfill a childhood dream with giant wafers at the Hiratsuka Seika factory shop
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Samurai chick pudding cake is Japan’s newest hard-to-buy, delicious-to-eat treat【Taste test】
McDonald’s ad in Japan causes controversy overseas
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
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
McDonald’s Japan introduces square burgers that take us to New York for a limited time
Which American-inspired Japanese McDonald’s sandwich stacks up? We munch all four to find out!
Back by popular demand! McDonald’s Japan brings back “American” series
We try the new teriyaki burgers from McDonald’s Japan 【Taste Test】
We check out this year’s new “Ultra” Gratin Croquette Burger from McDonald’s Japan
We try McDonald’s Japan’s new teriyaki burgers
We try McDonald’s Japan’s new “five-star” Clubhouse Burgers【Taste Test】
McDonald’s Japan renews the Samurai Mac, but not everyone will be happy with the new warrior
McDonald’s Japan’s first-ever rice burgers are here, and we try them before they go on sale
McDonald’s Japan’s Samurai Mac series: which burger is the greatest warrior of all?
Hokkaido, Osaka, and Fukuoka: Taste-testing McDonald’s oddly named Adult Regional Teriyaki burgers
Which of McDonald’s new “Beef Burgers of the World” is the best? We find out【Taste Test】
McDonald’s Japan adds exclusive Hawaiian Burgers to its menu for a limited time
We made the biggest burger possible at McDonald’s Singapore’s “Create Your Taste” kiosk!
McDonald’s Japan’s new kalbi koshihikari rice burger and its friends only come out after sundown
Lotteria unveils its first rice burgers, but how do they compare to Mos Burger and McDonald’s?
McDonald’s releases new Sukiyaki Tsukimi Burger in Japan for moon viewing season 2022