Sound of cheers to mix with sound of deep fryers.
This winter, fast food fans in Japan have felt a chill in their soul that has nothing to do with the cold weather. It started in mid-December, when McDonald’s Japan announced that due to a shortage of potatoes, they’d be suspending sales of medium and large-size French fry orders for one week. Not long after fry fanatics weathered that storm, though, in early January McDonald’s made a second announcement saying that they were once again suspending medium and large sales, with the restrictions in place to this day.
This literal small-fry treatment created a group that became known as the ”potato refugees,” as people who were ordinarily McDonald’s loyalists but who needed greater quantities of fries wandered the Japanese fast food landscape, seeking spudly succor from rivals such as Freshness Burger and Mini Stop, who subtly twisted the knife by actually increasing the size of their available French fry orders crafted from their ample domestically sourced potato supplies, which were unaffected by the international shipping woes that were preventing the flow of McDonald’s starchy supply chain.
But now comes a ray of golden-fried light, as McDonald’s Japan has announced an end to French fry rationing. Next week, medium and large-size fries will be back on the menu, available both as individual orders and as part of combo meals. The company credits the return of regular fry operations to the implementation of new shipping routes for its North American-grown potatoes, with Nitele News reporting that some of the potatoes are being shipped by air from airports on the American east coast.
The news has been met with cheers of joy from Japanese Twitter commenters:
“Potato power!”
“The time has come!”
“Our potatoes have returned!”
“Finally! So happy!”
“Can’t wait to stuff myself with McDonald’s fries again.”
“McDonald’s just doesn’t feel like McDonald’s without fries.”
Medium and large-size French fry sales will resume on February 7, giving fans something to actually look forward to on a Monday morning.
Source: McDonald’s Japan, FNN Prime Online via Livedoor News via Hachima Kiko, Nitele News, Twitter
Top image ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
As McDonald’s Japan restricts French fry sales, rival boosts its fry sizes by 25 percent, for free
American businessman promises urgent flights of potatoes to Japan to ease French fry shortage
Sayonara, spuds! McDonald’s Japan halts sales of medium and large orders of French fries
Hash browns disappear from McDonald’s Japan branches as country’s potato shortage continues
McDonald’s Japan’s French fry rationing extended for about another month
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Sailor Moon’s Artemis is part of the Artemis II NASA mission control team[Video]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Tokyo store that only sells black shirts sheds light on why it’s opening mid-pandemic
Japan named most sleep-deprived country for fourth year in a row, according to survey
Japanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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 reminds everyone that French fries are vegetables to celebrate Vegetable Day
French fry rationing continues in Japan as Mos Burger suspends sales (with two exceptions)
McDonald’s Japan to suspend sales of medium and large-size fries for one week
McDonald’s Japan is adding another spooky flavor to their Halloween Choco french fry lineup
Kids in Korea Order $250 in French Fries, Piss Off Everyone at McDonald’s and on the Internet
McDonald’s adding new French fry flavor just for Japan based on nostalgic student snack
Brace yourself – McDonald’s Japan about to start selling chocolate French fries
Can you use McDonald’s French fries to make Japanese-style croquettes?【SoraKitchen】
We Take the McDonald’s Potato Holder For a Test Ride
McDonald’s reminds Japan’s young adults that length isn’t everything, and being soft is OK too
Japan’s Mini Stop rolls out “Addictive Kitchen” hash browns to satisfy Japan’s “potato refugees”
How to turn cold McDonald’s fries into the best hash browns you’ve ever tasted
U.S. McDonald’s french fry fork to hit Japan, leaves everyone confused