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
Today
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Weekly
- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
- New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]- 99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken- Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
- Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
- Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
- Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
- New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country- Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Yearly
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]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
RECOMMENDED STORIES
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
“We want to be Japan’s best cheap restaurant” says new (but also not new) Akihabara noodle joint
Studio Ghibli releases Japanese curry shirts in honour of anime about the studio’s staff
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
-
