
The “Phantom Nugget Thief” and his son front a new campaign to promote this intriguing “parent-and-child” sauce set.
McDonald’s has been catering to the local market in Japan with a number of exclusive menu items over the years, with customers lining up for limited-edition delights like Full Moon Cheese Tsukimi Burgers and sakura cherry blossom-flavoured McFlurries.
Last year, McDonald’s even offered up an 18-karat gold nugget prize to Chicken McNugget customers and introduced a yellow-suited character called the “Phantom Nugget Thief” as part of the campaign. This year. the Nugget Thief is back again, and now he’s brought his son along for the festivities, with the two joining forces to promote a new “parent-and-child” sauce set featuring the traditional Japanese flavours of wasabi and teriyaki.
Check out the “Phantom Nugget Thief” and his son, “Tiny Phantom Nugget Thief” promoting the new sauce set below:
The Otona Wasabi Mayo (Adult Wasabi Mayo) sauce is said to contain the invigorating taste of Japanese horseradish, mellowed out with a slight sweetness thanks to the addition of mayonnaise. While there’s a slight kick to the sauce that adults will love, it’s mild enough to be enjoyed by children too.
The Wanpaku Teriyaki Mayo (Naughty Teriyaki Mayo) sauce is a combination of creamy mayonnaise and rich, sweet teriyaki flavours. It’s said to be a familiar taste for local customers, as Japanese dishes like shogayaki (grilled pork and ginger) are often served with a mix of soy sauce and mayonnaise toppings.
The new sauce set will be available with any Chicken McNugget purchase during the campaign period, but as an extra special treat, McDonald’s will be selling 15-piece boxes with the two sauces for 390 yen (US$3.57), which is 30 percent cheaper than the usual retail price of 570 yen.
The two new sauces will only be available for a short time, from 26 April to 16 May, which also covers the Golden Week holiday period in Japan; a prime time for parents and children to be enjoying meals together while out and about on short trips around the country.
Source, images: McDonald’s Japan



McDonald’s Japan unleashes awesome Steak Sauce and Lobster Mayo Sauce to celebrate the holidays
How to make McDonald’s Katsu Curry Chicken McNuggets
McDonald’s Japan offers customers the chance to win a chicken nugget made from 18-karat gold
Are the new shrimp nuggets from McDonald’s Japan better than chicken McNuggets?
McDonald’s Japan is changing the ingredients in Chicken McNuggets
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
Okinawa man convinced he won 700 million yen by scammers, saved by convenience store staff
Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
Uniqlo’s sister brand will be waiting with Pokémon sweaters and parkas this fall [Pics]
Starbucks Japan unveils new Chilled Cup drinks for autumn
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
Tokyo’s red-light district cafe lets you dine inside a real 1960s cabaret
New Japanese ice cream is Ballin, in more ways than one
Starbucks Japan proves Pumpkin Spice is NOT dead, with a new take for autumn
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
New Japanese convenience store rice balls taste like instant noodles [Taste test]
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Is McDonald’s Japan’s new tandoori chicken curry McNugget sauce better with naan?【Taste test】
McDonald’s releases Katsu Curry Chicken McNuggets, but do they taste Japanese?
We try McDonald’s Japan’s new teriyaki burgers
Cautious consumers wary of McDonald’s free McNuggets, fear of tainted chicken lingers
Worried about McDonald’s chicken in Japan? Don’t be! Free McNuggets ease your fears!
Japanese McNuggets now come with creamy corn sauce, we attempt a potage with it
McDonald’s Japan adds five teriyaki items to the menu, including fries and a spicy new burger
McDonald’s Japan releases Spicy Chicken McNuggets so spicy they’ll knock you out? 【Taste Test】
McKatsudon: Easy to make with new spicy chicken nuggets from McDonald’s Japan
How to turn McDonald’s chicken nuggets into tasty katsudon in five minutes【SoraKitchen】
McDonald’s Japan’s new spicy McNuggets promise to punch you in the face with spiciness
We try the new teriyaki burgers from McDonald’s Japan 【Taste Test】
McDonald’s Japan adds lucky heart-shaped shrimp nuggets to the menu
McDonald’s Japan reveals new Pokémon collaboration range, covering McNuggets and lucky bags
When life gives you McDonald’s curry sauce, make…curry rice!
McDonald’s Japan just released Tofu Nuggets, and they taste… 【Taste Test】