Japanese Burger Offerings for Tsukimi Season!

Tsukimi, or autumn moon-viewing, is a traditional event in Japan filled with cultural customs that many people love participating in. To help everyone enjoy the moon-viewing season even more, restaurants work hard to create special tsukimi menus. These seasonal offerings often include creative dishes and drinks, and surprisingly, even Western-style burgers join in the fun. Let’s explore how Japanese burger offerings at some popular chains have become something people look forward to every year!

McDonald’s

The Tsukimi Burgers of McDonald’s Japan return every autumn to celebrate the beautiful moon-viewing season. These special buns have been part of a yearly tradition since 1991, when the first Tsukimi Burger was created. The round yellow egg in each burger looks like a glowing full moon in the night sky, making it the perfect treat to enjoy while admiring the autumn moon. 

Every year, McDonald’s adds new twists to the classic, offering fresh flavors while keeping that familiar and comforting feeling. The 2024 lineup included the regular Tsukimi Burger, the Cheese Tsukimi Burger, and the beautifully named Houjun Fuwatoru Tsukimi Burger, meaning “mellow fluffy moon-viewing”. 

Houjun Fuwatoru Tsukimi Burger stood out the most because it had soft buttery scrambled eggs under the juicy beef patty, with hints of garlic and pepper that made it extra yummy. The buns were golden with sesame seeds on top, giving a nice contrast in texture — soft, a little chewy, and very satisfying. Every bite was warm, fluffy, and full of flavor.

The sweet commercial was one of the best parts of the tsukimi menu last year. McDonald’s brought the tale of Princess Kaguya to life, showing her returning from the moon to enjoy burgers with her family. It reminded everyone how nice it is to share time with loved ones. The moon messengers joining in for a burger delivery were super cute and clever, too!

KFC

KFC, on the other hand, happily rolled out the tasty Torori Tsukimi Cheese Filet Burger! This dreamy Japanese burger had a golden fried chicken filet, melty cheese, and a soft-cooked egg on top that oozed with every bite. The creamy egg made the texture extra rich and smooth, and the cheesy layer added a warm and gooey touch. All of this was tucked inside a fluffy bun, creating a cozy flavor that was savory and satisfying.

Another fun pick was the Torori Tsukimi Japanese Katsu Gutakusan Burger. This one was full of bold flavors and exciting layers. It had a juicy, teriyaki-glazed chicken cutlet, crunchy shredded cabbage, and a soft egg. The star was the rich tartar sauce made from more than ten tasty ingredients. Some of the sauce had carbonara notes, while others reminded people of sukiyaki (a Japanese hot pot dish). 

Mos Burger

This chain lit up the autumn season with its one-of-a-kind Tsukimi Focaccia lineup. These Japanese burgers were packed with surprises and wrapped in fluffy focaccia bread. The regular one had a juicy crescent-shaped sausage and a soft-cooked egg. The egg’s rich yolk added a smooth, creamy touch that mixed perfectly with the smoky sauce and crunchy cabbage. 

An exciting choice for bold flavor lovers was the Barbecue Focaccia, which skipped the egg and focused on smoky sausage and rich sauce. But the new Menchi Katsu Focaccia turned heads. It featured a crispy cutlet from ground beef and pork, with a deep red wine sauce that added richness and a little sweetness. 

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Lotteria

Lotteria made this moon season joyful with a cheesy and saucy selection. The Japanese-style Half-boiled Tsukimi Zesshin Cheeseburger was a fan favorite, stacking a juicy beef patty, red cheddar, and four-cheese sauce in a bun. The egg added a creamy melt to every bite, while the teriyaki sauce and yuzu mayo brought a sweet and citrusy flavor.

There was a crispy twist for shrimp lovers with the Japanese-style Half-boiled Tsukimi Shrimp Burger. The crunchy patty matched nicely with the mellow egg, shredded cabbage, and tangy yuzu mayo. It was both light and flavorful, with a texture that popped. There was also a spicier pick, the Japanese-style Half-boiled Yakashi Teriyaki Burger, topped with jalapenos and spicy garlic sauce. 

At the end of September, Lotteria launched its Meat Day celebration with giant-sized specials such as the King Beef Kalbi Japanese-style Half-boiled Tsukimi Zesshin Cheeseburger. This tower of juicy beef, cheese, rib meat, and a glowing egg reminded everyone of the moon above. It was huge, fun to eat, and only around for a few days.

Wendy’s

Wendy’s limited-time items were packed with fun flavors and mixed American and Japanese goodness. Each one featured a golden fried egg on top, shining like the full moon. It was a little surprise that made the first bite warm and comforting.

They called that seasonal menu the Tsukimi B.B.P. series, which stood for “Barbecue, Bacon, and Potato”. The name sounded cool, and the taste matched perfectly. Inside were crispy hash browns, lovely bacon strips, melty cheese, and smoky barbecue sauce. You could choose between a juicy beef version or a tender chicken one. Every bite was rich, creamy, and just a bit sweet from the sauce.

For kids or anyone with a smaller appetite, the Jr. Tsukimi B.B.P. was an excellent choice. It had the same great flavors in a lighter size, so you didn’t have to miss out!

Why should I try Japanese-style burgers during moon-viewing season?

Because it’s a way to enjoy a special cultural moment with flavor and fun, this time of year in Japan means coming together, looking up at the bright full moon, and appreciating simple joys. Án food plays a big part in that feeling!

Many fast food chains join the celebration by creating unique dishes that mix classic Japanese ingredients with bold Western styles. That’s how these creative, seasonal items turn ordinary fast food into something more heartfelt and festive.

These Japanese burgers are not just delicious; they also tell stories. Each bite reflects the season’s spirit, from soft fried eggs that glow like the moon to sauces full of homey flavors. It’s exciting to see how each brand brings its own style while still honoring the same tradition. Would you try one of these buns next moon season? What flavor would you want to see? Let us know in the comments!