Beef bowl fast food chain also ditches trademark colors to don those of popular baseball teams.
The Hanshin Tigers is one of Japan’s oldest professional baseball teams, maintaining phenomenal support from fans around the country. So when companies like Baskin Robbins decide to back them in full force, you can expect awesome themed stuff like tiger stripe-flavored ice cream.
And recently rumor had it that the popular beef bowl fast food chain Yoshinoya was the latest company to show its support for the Hanshin Tigers, celebrating the opening of its 2,000th store in Japan by decorating its sign to match the baseball team’s colors. Our Japanese-language reporter, Mr. Sato, headed down to see what the fuss was all about.
▼ And as he approached Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture,
he couldn’t believe his eyes.
▼ Yeah that’s Yoshinoya, all right!
▼ Here’s a typical Yoshinoya sign,
sporting its trademark orange and black design.
Opened on 26 April, the unique store was situated on the first floor of shopping center Corowa Koshien, right outside Koshien Station in Nishinomiya City.
▼ Not only was the exterior different, they were also offering
Hanshin Tigers-themed food in addition to the usual stuff.
Each of the two limited-edition items were priced at 550 yen (US$5, normal size): the Omu Pork Bowl, and the Oroshi Beef Bowl named after the team’s anthem,”Rokko Oroshi.” It was tough to choose between the two, but the idea of eating tiger striped food out of a tiger striped bowl ultimately won Mr. Sato over.
Although both items were listed as “take-out only”, our intrepid reporter decided to be a rebel and set the container down on a tray and eat in the store anyway.
▼ Mr. Sato took a long gaze at the fierce design,
already feeling his inner tiger stirring.
▼ Nestled inside was a soft, golden omelette
laced with four stripes of black sauce.
▼ Without further ado, he drizzled some mayonnaise…
▼ …checked to see if there was indeed pork in there (one can never be too sure)…
▼ …and took a bite. The pork paired surprisingly well with
the black sauce’s tanginess and the omelette’s sweetness.
▼ After the meal, Mr. Sato strolled around the neighborhood
and spotted a Lawson convenience store adorned in the same fashion.
Whether you’re a Hanshin Tigers fan, baseball fan, or just looking to spice up a meal with something exotic, why not give this special Yoshinoya store a try? With yummy grub, great customer service, and fantastic limited edition food, it’s no wonder some people consider the fast food chain to be an ideal dating spot.
Store information
Yoshinoya Corowa Koshien Store / 吉野家 Corowa甲子園店
Address: Hyogo-ken, Nishinomiya-shi, Koshien Takashio-cho, 3-3
兵庫県西宮市甲子園高潮町3-3
Open: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Closed: According to Corowa Koshien shopping center’s days of operation
Images: ©SoraNews24
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