burritos
A prodigal Taco Bell customer returns to the franchise and is surprised with what he finds.
In the biggest sushi-loving town on the planet, can this unique twist on Japan’s food culture succeed?
While you can certainly find countless restaurants offering a seemingly endless range of cuisines in Japan, if you’ve spent some time in the country, you may have noticed that options for Mexican food (or at least American-Mexican food) can be somewhat limited. So when news went around that American fast food chain Taco Bell was going to re-open in Japan, the response on the Japanese Internet was huge. And while we understand that not everyone is a fan of Taco Bell, there certainly seemed to be enough people overjoyed that the chain was finally returning to Japan after having opened shop here once for just a short time in the 1980s.
All of this meant that the opening of the new Taco Bell shop in Shibuya, Tokyo was bound to attract lots of attention as well as a good crowd, and not to miss out on the excitement and tacos, our very own Mr. Sato from the Japanese arm of RocketNews24 was there on opening day to bring you the following report!
Now, Tokyo has more than its share of restaurants offering almost any and all types of cuisine, but truth be told, Mexican food is not one of our fortes. There aren’t very many Mexican restaurants to start with, and in all honesty, I personally have yet to try a truly satisfying burrito (or fajita for that matter) in Japan. Somehow, the stuff just isn’t the same as the satisfying Mexican fare filled with plenty of juicy meat and cheese that I used to have in the U.S.
So when we heard that a specialty burrito shop, apparently the first of its kind in Japan, was going to open in the Marunoichi office district of Tokyo, we knew we had to go try the food there ourselves. We headed to Marunouchi on the opening day of the new “umum good burritos!” shop to get a taste of their burritos. The eatery had been introduced briefly on national TV, and from what he had heard, they even served an interesting dessert burrito, so naturally we were excited to make our visit!
All right, burrito lovers, step right up! Burritos are perhaps the most convenient well-balanced meals in the world (in my opinion). You get your carbohydrates, meat, vegetables, and a great burst of flavors, all in a handy-sized wrap that you can basically eat anywhere, even on the go. Perfect!
However, if there’s just one thing that’s better than a burrito, it’s gotta be an animal burrito! All you have to do is look at it and it’ll fill up your empty hearts and souls with an irresistible gush of cuteness that will leave you feeling like a better person (hypothetically)! Here are twenty of them, all rolled up and ready to go!
MOST POPULAR
Now
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
It’s naked time: An American’s first onsen experience 【Video】
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】- Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Yearly
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
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 drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
It’s naked time: An American’s first onsen experience 【Video】
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
I had no idea you could win crane game prizes in Japan the way my friend won this Dragon Quest Slime
Sailor Moon Sanrio partnership adds pairings for Sailor Starlights in new crossover merch line【Pics】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Do people in Kyoto really stand to the right on escalators?
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
Akutai Matsuri: Japan’s Verbal Abuse Festival, where insults and bad behaviour are encouraged
-
