Image taken from Burger King Japan's press release on their web site.
The burger's bun is black because it has been mixed with squid ink. I'm sure that'll get your mouths watering. There is also something about bamboo charcoal being used to bring out the flavor of the burger and the bun. Some outlets are mistakenly reporting that the buns are black because of the charcoal, but I think that's a mistake as they'd have to be burned to a crisp to be so black due to any sort of cooking. There's also paprika as part of the flavor profile.
If I were still in Japan, I wouldn't touch this with a 10-foot pole because I don't eat beef. My husband probably would have tried it, but I'm guessing even he might have been put off by the notion of squid ink in his food. I'm sure that it's far less disgusting than it sounds, but it sounds fairly gross. Anyway, by the time you read this, the burger will be finished since it'll only be available in limited quantities for one day.
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Image taken from McDonald's web site.
On the side of BK's rival, McDonald's, there is a somewhat more compelling item. They're selling a "MacFlurry" which is blended with strawberry sauce and little bits of KitKat. I don't know if it is a coincidence, but this is being released on the same day as the black burger (September 28). It's available for 230 yen ($3.07) from 10:30 am and can't be had at all shops, but it will be around for longer than a single day.
The image makes it appear that the bits of KitKat are actually pretty tiny. This isn't surprising since too much candy in it would make the result too sweet for Japanese tastes. The big focus is on the strawberry sauce. If anyone in Japan gives this a try, I'd be curious about the sweetness level and the textural aspects. It seems like very little of the wafers would come through with such specks of KitKat as shown here.
6 comments:
I am very curious about trying sweets in Japan. I like sweets but not anything TOO sweet. I may actually enjoy their version of Mc Flurry. Thanks for sharing. Does squid ink have a yucky taste?
I can't recall ever tasting squid ink, to be honest. I think once, a very long time ago, I may have eaten something utterly gross which contained it, but I can't recall the taste.
Still, to my mind, squid ink = black urine. ;-)
I think you would like their McFlurry. I taught a guy who worked at McDonald's headquarters and he told me that their shakes and ice cream were formulated for less sweetness, but more creaminess (they had a higher fat content).
Thanks for commenting!
Yes, it is to celebrate their 5th come back anniversary in Japan. The burger’s buns are blackened with the use of bamboo charcoals (たけすみ)and the sauce features mayonnaise and a special dark ketchup coloured and flavoured with garlic and squid ink (いかすみ).
I so miss having new McFlurry flavors every month, although I suppose my waistline doesn't. :) The best was the McShokora (sp?) McFlurry, which was a regular Oreo one with chocolate sauce. Now I live in the US and can get them custom made whenever I want! HA!
I just had the new McFlurry KitKat & Strawberry this afternoon, and was very surprised that you have already featured the product information! You're so on to it! ;)
I brought my McFlurry for 190 yen as discount coupon is available for those who have the McDonald app on their iPhones. I did enjoy McDonald's new product, and found that it wasn't too sweet. Actually, for me, I found it to be a bit sour on my first bite, but then after two or three spoons, I started to enjoy the creamy flavor, as well the KitKat bits. The only part I was disappointed on was the KitKat. I initially thought that they would actually put broken KitKat pieces in there, but later found out that they weren't. I think that if they were broken KitKat pieces, it would have been tastier because the bits didn't give enough 'wafers texture' in my opinion. However, I really did enjoy the strawberry sauce mixed with the rather milky ice-cream. I would definite go back for another.
i tried the burger!
to be honest it wasn't much different from a "normal" tasting burger. did taste a bit charcoal-y, like as if it had been made on an actual outdoor charcoal bbq. the sauce was a bit tangy, didn't taste much of the garlic (and squid ink doesn't have much flavor anyway). the black sauce made it a bit messy to eat.
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