
McDonald’s isn’t entirely confident in its newest Japanese-inspired dessert, but we believe in it.
McDonald’s McFlurry frozen desserts are a great option when you feel like mixing your sweet treats. Sometimes you just can’t decide between ice cream, Oreos, or KitKats, so really the only sensible thing too is stir them together, grab a spoon, and satisfy multiple cravings at once.
For its next McFlurry, though, McDonald’s Japan is experimenting with adding in a traditional Japanese favorite: mochi. Specifically, the newest member of the McFlurry family will have shiratama, bite-sized mochi dumplings, as its star ingredient.
Next month, McDonald’s Japan will start offering the McFlurry Custard Shiratama Nokketemita, or the “McFlurry Custard that We’ve Tried Putting Shiratama On.” Honestly, we’re not sure there’s any need for the lack of confidence implied by the official name, because while shiratama McFlurries are unprecedented, shiratama themselves have a long history of going great with ice cream, like in the slightly retro Japanese dessert called cream anmitsu…
みはしは
— タ紀𓁣エジプトの魅力YouTube配信中 (@wonimaru) August 27, 2019
私は決まってクリームあんみつだ! pic.twitter.com/KDiiiBKgGM
…as well as in green tea ice cream parfaits and other East/West fusion desserts, to say nothing of the delicious mochi-enhanced ice creams from Haagen-Dazs.
Those of you who are budding linguists might be a little confused by McDonald’s photos, though, since “shiratama” literally means “white orb,” but the dumplings in the shiratama McFlurry are yellow. That’s because to keep them from getting too soggy or sticky, and also to make them extra-delicious, McDonald’s has given them a custard coating. Between that and the custard sauce and crunchy corn flakes, the new McFlurry promises to be a rich, satisfying indulgence, plus the color scheme has us wondering if we’ll also see shiratama added to hoped-for future revivals of the Pikachu and Gudetama McFlurries.
The McFlurry Custard Shiratama Nokketemita goes on sale September 4, priced at 320 yen (US$3), and really the only drawback we can find is that the long name seems like it’ll be kind of a pain to say, especially for people like us who plan on ordering them as frequently as possible, but we suspect that McDonald’s clerks will understand you just fine if you abbreviate your order down to just “shiratama McFlurry.”
Source, images: McDonald’s press release
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Casey on Twitter on his quest to consume all the Japanese desserts he can obtain.


The Gudetama McFlurry is here — and the mystery flavor is as sweet as expected!【Taste test】
Matcha Oreo McFlurries tempting us to forgive McDonald’s Japan’s lack of originality
Tokyo chocolate maker that stood up to Godiva teams up with McDonald’s for Black Thunder McFlurry
We try the new Sanrio character McFlurry from McDonald’s Japan
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
Amid foreign sex tourist rise, Japanese government considering outlawing paying for prostitution
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
Dragon Ball Z theme park, financed by Saudi Arabia, to be built in France
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
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】
McDonald’s Japan releases brand new Matcha McFlurry for a limited time
McDonald’s Japan presents newest McFlurry dessert — in a mystery Gudetama flavor!
McDonald’s Japan’s Asian Sweets almond tofu McFlurry and new apple pie are here!【Taste test】
McDonald’s Japan’s new McFlurry comes in a unique hyuganatsu citrus cheesecake flavour
McDonald’s releasing lychee milk shakes in Japan as part of new Asian Sweets lineup
New McFlurry from McDonald’s Japan offers swirls of caramel to make you dizzy with sweetness
New Kyoto green tea dessert drinks join McDonald’s Japan menu with ichigo and shiratama assists
Spring comes to McDonald’s Japan in the form of a sakura-flavored dessert!
We try out McDonald’s Japan’s new Banana Tart McFlurry on Japan’s unofficial “Banana Day”
KitKat Mcflurry comes to McDonald’s Japan with commercial starring Japanese idol
McDonald’s Japan reveals the pocket monster flavour for the new Pokémon McFlurry
We try the new Pikachu McFlurry from McDonald’s Japan
We caught the Angry Birds limited-time menu at McDonald’s Singapore!
Is McDonald’s Japan’s Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry worth the hype?
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry