Latest news with #Lotteria
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Lotteria releases an unadon eel rice bowl burger in Japan for a limited time
By Oona McGee, SoraNews24 On July 16, Lotteria launched a wild, limited-time menu item to mark Doyo no Ushi no Hi, Japan's Midsummer Day of the Ox, on July 17. People traditionally eat eel or 'unagi' on this day for stamina to help combat the hottest period of summer, and Lotteria has taken that tradition to the next level by releasing a burger that contains more than just unagi — it contains unadon. For those who are new to the dish, unadon, or 'eel rice bowl," is essentially a bowl of rice with a seasoned grilled eel topping. According to Lotteria, their new 'Unadon Burger' contains grilled eel, a 100-percent domestically sourced rice patty, and shredded omelet as the main ingredients, all sandwiched between fluffy, chewy buns. ▼ On the bottom right you can see the official name of the menu item in English: 'Teriyaki Eel Rice Bowl Burger' With the chain describing it as a burger that truly recreates 'unadon', we couldn't resist trying it to see if it really lives up to this claim. So we dashed out to our closest branch of Lotteria, which is actually a Zetteria, and purchased one for 990 yen. In our eagerness, we arrived early in the morning, so even the staff behind the counter seemed surprised when we requested the Unadon Burger during breakfast hours. However, after taking a seat, our Unadon Burger was ready in less than 10 minutes, and when we unwrapped it for a first look, we could see the eel was so large it looked to be spilling out from the buns. Lifting the top bun for a closer inspection, we saw there was no sense of stinginess, with mayonnaise and a gooey, sticky teriyaki sauce generously dolloped on top of the well-seasoned eel. Beneath it all was a rice burger patty acting as the bed of rice in this unusual rice bowl, giving us two layers of carbs on the bottom. Taking a bite, we silently applauded the rice patty addition, as it worked beautifully to soak up the sauce in each mouthful and spread it throughout the palate in a way that was much more satisfying than a bun on its own. We couldn't deny that the eel was less than a typical beef patty, but in a way that makes it perfect for a hot summer's day. Each component has been carefully designed to create a harmonious balance between ingredients, and if you're a newcomer to eel, you'll be happy to know that the sauce takes centre stage, covering a lot of the eel's flavor in a way that's evocative of an eel rice bowl. In that sense, the new menu item really does deliver the taste of unadon in burger form, but it's only being made in limited numbers so you'll want to get in quick to try it while stocks are available. Photos ©SoraNews24 Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Super expensive sushi restaurant super cheap beef bowl chain team up to create Unagyu Burger -- Sure eel flavored potato chips are great, but here's a recipe that'll make them even better! -- Does eel ramen really taste like eel? External Link © SoraNews24
SoraNews24
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Lotteria releases an unadon eel rice bowl burger in Japan for a limited time
Does this burger really taste like a Japanese rice bowl? On 16 July, Lotteria launched a wild, limited-time menu item to mark Doyo no Ushi no Hi, Japan's Midsummer Day of the Ox, on 17 July. People traditionally eat eel or 'unagi' on this day for stamina to help combat the hottest period of summer, and Lotteria has taken that tradition to the next level by releasing a burger that contains more than just unagi — it contains unadon. For those who are new to the dish, unadon, or 'eel rice bowl', is essentially a bowl of rice with a seasoned grilled eel topping. According to Lotteria, their new 'Unadon Burger' contains grilled eel, a 100-percent domestically sourced rice patty, and shredded omelet as the main ingredients, all sandwiched between fluffy, chewy buns. ▼ On the bottom right you can see the official name of the menu item in English: 'Teriyaki Eel Rice Bowl Burger' With the chain describing it as a burger that truly recreates 'unadon', we couldn't resist trying it to see if it really lives up to this claim. So we dashed out to our closest branch of Lotteria, which is actually a Zetteria, and purchased one for 990 yen (US$6.67). In our eagerness, we arrived early in the morning, so even the staff behind the counter seemed surprised when we requested the Unadon Burger during breakfast hours. However, after taking a seat, our Unadon Burger was ready in less than 10 minutes, and when we unwrapped it for a first look, we could see the eel was so large it looked to be spilling out from the buns. Lifting the top bun for a closer inspection, we saw there was no sense of stinginess, with mayonnaise and a gooey, sticky teriyaki sauce generously dolloped on top of the well-seasoned eel. Beneath it all was a rice burger patty acting as the bed of rice in this unusual rice bowl, giving us two layers of carbs on the bottom. Taking a bite, we silently applauded the rice patty addition, as it worked beautifully to soak up the sauce in each mouthful and spread it throughout the palate in a way that was much more satisfying than a bun on its own. We couldn't deny that the eel was less than a typical beef patty, but in a way that makes it perfect for a hot summer's day. Each component has been carefully designed to create a harmonious balance between ingredients, and if you're a newcomer to eel, you'll be happy to know that the sauce takes centre stage, covering a lot of the eel's flavour in a way that's evocative of an eel rice bowl. In that sense, the new menu item really does deliver the taste of unadon in burger form, but it's only being made in limited numbers so you'll want to get in quick to try it while stocks are available. Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
SoraNews24
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Identity crises abound with the Okonomiyaki Burger from Lotteria and/or Zetteria in Osaka
Is it okonomiyaki or a burger and what is the name of this place? With the World Expo, a recent Pokémon Go Fest, and the overall surge in tourism to Japan, Osaka has become quite the bustling city recently. Many of our Tokyo-based writers have made the trip there, including Ikuna Kamezawa, who in addition to seeing the sights, also wanted to try some of the local cuisine. One particularly notable Osakan dish is okonomiyaki, which is a pile of cabbage and other ingredients like meat mixed in a batter and grilled into a pancake-like disk. It's such a classic meal that Ikuna is no stranger to it and wanted to try something different, which is when she found out that national fast food chain Lotteria was selling an Okonomiyaki Burger only in Osaka and only until October. She decided to check it out, but being a stranger in a strange land, the multi-level intertwining stations and shopping complexes of the downtown Namba area were very difficult to navigate, even with a smartphone map. Luckily, a kind security guard was able to send her the right way to… ▼ Ikuna: 'Zetteria?!' She double-checked the website on her phone which clearly said a Lotteria was in that location, but the sign in front of her also clearly said that this was Zetteria. The name 'Lotteria' is a combination of the parent company's name, Lotte, and the word 'cafeteria' whereas 'Zetteria' is 'cafeteria' plus the name of their main menu item, the Zeppin Burger. The logo and overall atmosphere of the restaurant was just like Lotteria, and the similar name would also suggest Zetteria is at least related to Lotteria somehow. But beyond that, Ikuna still wasn't sure what the difference between a Lotteria and Zetteria was. Apparently, this restaurant changed names sometime after the Okonomiyaki Burger was released last May, but as long as they were still serving it here, it would be fine by her. Inside, our reporter was relieved to see the limited-time item was available, so she bought it in a combo with a salad and Yuzu Lemon Soda for 860 yen (US$6). She opened the wrapper to her burger, which had a large 'OKONOMIYAKI' sticker that partially obscured the label indicating it was a hamburger, and found what appeared to be just okonomiyaki. She knew the buns were going to be actual okonomiyaki disks, but she expected them to be more mechanically produced into smooth, round shapes. These buns, however, had all the unevenness of actual okonomiyaki. Looking under the hood, she found a lightly fired egg, beef patty, some okonomiyaki sauce, and a little extra cabbage to go with the cabbage grilled into the buns. Biting into it, Ikuna realized there was also some pickled ginger to give it an added zing. The fried batter of the okonomiyaki buns felt softer and less full of cabbage than the real thing, but she liked it that way. She also wasn't sure if it was intentional, but the plumpness of the egg reminded her of shrimp, a very common okonomiyaki ingredient. Ikuna has certainly had her fair share of outlandish novelty burgers fast food chains often put out for promotion, but this one felt especially well crafted and really captured the authentic okonomiyaki feel. If there was one complaint, it would be that it was too much like actual okonomiyaki and hardly resembled a hamburger at all. It made her wonder why she shouldn't just get regular okonomiyaki instead. Still, there's something to be said for an okonomiyaki that you can eat with one hand. ▼ Ikuna noticed afterward that Zetteria had been following her… As filling as an okonomiyaki hamburger with egg sounds, our writer found herself still a little hungry afterward and also grabbed a Zeppin Chicken fried chicken breast for 290 yen. The breading was very crispy and nicely complemented the extremely tender meat inside. Overall, Ikuna felt that the Okonomiyaki Burger was good enough to be added to the regular menu, despite it barely registering as a hamburger. But unfortunately, it's only available for a limited period so next time you go to Osaka for one of its many events, be sure to stop by a Lotteria or Zetteria or whatever else they'll be calling themselves at that time. Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
CNA
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNA
Commentary: Why do we revere fast food so much that we're building museums even for specific burgers?
BREDA, The Netherlands: More than 25 years ago, McDonald's introduced the McSpicy burger to Singapore - chicken thigh marinated in a spicy seasoning, breaded, deep-fried, and served on a sesame seed bun with shredded lettuce and mayonnaise. With an intense burn designed to suit the local palate, the McSpicy quickly became so popular that it remains a staple on the fast food chain's menu to this day. Over the last two weeks, McDonald's celebrated the burger's journey from inception to local icon. The McSpicy Museum, a pop-up event held from May 13 to May 25, transformed the open area next to McDonald's at Bugis Junction into an interactive space featuring reflex-testing games, trivia, photo booths and vibrant installations. As a Singaporean currently residing in Europe, I've noticed a stark contrast in attitudes towards fast food. Europeans often view fast food as low-status or unhealthy, associating it with rushed lifestyles or the working class. In contrast, fast food in Singapore is far from stigmatised. In fact, there are now more than 700 fast food establishments across the country, with two fast food giants - South Korea's Lotteria and America's Chick-fil-A - entering the market this year. CONVENIENCE CULTURE A quick search on online forums suggests a straightforward answer: Pragmatism. In a fast-paced urban environment like Singapore, convenience and value are key decision drivers. With only 22 per cent of Singaporeans cooking at home daily, fast food chains meet a critical demand for quick, reliable meals amid busy schedules. Conveniently located in malls and near MRT stations, fast food outlets deliver speed, order, and reliability - qualities highly prized by time-pressed, energy-sapped office workers and students. While local hawker stalls provide some of the country's cheapest meals, they often close on certain days or have limited hours. Fast food chains, by contrast, are almost always open for business, with some operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With rising hawker prices, fast food may appeal to budget-conscious Singaporeans who desire air-conditioned comfort in the island's oppressive heat and humidity. To sweeten the deal, many chains also offer loyalty programmes that reward repeat customers with points redeemable for food or discounts, further increasing their value-for-money appeal. FAST FOOD AS CULTURAL SYMBOL Nostalgia also plays an important role in why fast food is so dear to the hearts of so many Singaporeans. Prior to the late 1970s, when McDonald's first arrived in Singapore, locals mostly ate at hawker centres and traditional eateries. The arrival of modern, clean, American, air-conditioned fast food chains introduced a new dining trend and symbolised a connection to Western culture and global modernity. While Europeans saw fast food more as a convenient or cheap alternative, Singaporeans saw it as aspirational or symbolically celebratory, as the arrival of fast food coincided with Singapore's rapid modernisation. What's now an ordinary burger was once seen as an 'atas' (upscale) treat then - a special indulgence beyond typical hawker fare. An entire generation of millennial children grew up perceiving birthday celebrations at McDonald's or Happy Meals - kid-sized meal sets that include small toys - as luxurious treats. In 2000, McDonald's Singapore launched a campaign where customers were able to purchase limited-edition Hello Kitty plushies with every Extra Value Meal. The toys sparked nationwide frenzy, with up to 300,000 people lining up at outlets island-wide and culminating in skirmishes and other public disturbances. This irrational devotion - willingness to risk injury for a plushie - effectively demonstrates how fast food transcends its utilitarian purpose in Singapore. We now celebrate fast food items and emblems like they are cultural artifacts because, in a way, they are. Over the years, McDonald's has even found its way into National Service marching songs, with staple menu items like Filet-O-Fish and apple pie shouted out in the lyrics. Eventually, purchasing a burger from McDonald's was no longer just about the burger - it was also about being part of the cultural moment. HYBRID CULTURE In some European societies, fast food is frowned upon because it is seen as the antithesis of traditional food culture and heritage. In 1999, French farmer and union official Jose Bove ransacked a McDonald's restaurant to protest American corporate influence and 'malbouffe' ('bad food'). He became something of a national celebrity in France, where the public saw his actions as a symbolic resistance to American cultural imperialism, globalisation's threat to traditional food practices, and a loss of culinary identity, particularly in a country like France with a long and rich gastronomic history. However, in Singapore, fast food was never perceived that way. Singaporeans have always simultaneously embraced globalisation and their traditional roots, often expecting international brands to adapt to local tastes and culture. McDonald's alone offers many more examples, with unique creations like the Nasi Lemak Burger and menu items tied to local holidays, like the Prosperity Burger for Chinese New Year. These items are not just food but cultural emblems. The McSpicy, specifically, is so embraced because it is genuinely hot by local standards - a rare and notable example of a Western brand successfully catering to local palates. We talk about it almost as a cultural rite of passage - a pain-pleasure experience that many Singaporeans can relate to, for better or worse. Other fast food giants have followed suit. KFC introduced the Rendang Rice Bucket and Curry Rice Buckets exclusively to its Singapore outlets. Pizza Hut experimented with durian cheese and assam laksa pizzas. Burger King had the Hainanese Tendergrill Chicken Burger as a hat-tip to our national dish, Hainanese chicken rice. The success of these localised menu items suggests Singaporeans' openness to adopting and adapting imports of global food culture with pride, rather than viewing them as threats. That a deep-fried chicken burger now commands a 'museum' event suggests just how far fast food has come in shaping our tastes, habits, and sense of self. Whether this marks a clever cultural fusion or compromise remains unclear. But in Singapore, at least, the McSpicy isn't just a burger - it's a story we've chosen to tell about ourselves.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Korean Lotteria set to expand into Philippines market
Lotteria, a South Korean fast-food chain, is planning to establish a presence in the Philippines market. The news was disclosed by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Discussions took place on 16 May in Seoul between Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and representatives from Lotte GRS and other South Korean conglomerates, the Philippine Star reported citing the DTI. The talks focused on the conglomerates' investment and expansion strategies in the Philippines, with an emphasis on food service, franchising, and retail sectors. The companies are considering various investment avenues such as joint ventures, master franchise agreements, and operations tailored to the local market. Lotte GRS, the restaurant service division of Lotte Group, is specifically gearing up to introduce its brand, Lotteria, in the country. Over the next five year, the company aims to open a minimum of 30 stores. The newspaper quoted DTI as saying: 'This initiative has strong focus on local sourcing and workforce development. Additionally, other companies revealed plans to roll out modern convenience store models designed to meet the demands of consumers in the Philippines. A commitment was made to predominantly source products locally; more than 95% of items sold in their international outlets are procured from within the host nation. The dialogue also encompassed strategies for incorporating digital commerce solutions and enhancing last-mile delivery capabilities. Beyond food service and retail endeavours, South Korean entities are investigating prospects for restaurant growth and establishing import-export networks for Philippine agricultural and seafood commodities. A recent partnership has led to one company's announcement that it will open its inaugural outlet in Manila by August 2025. In August of the previous year, Aniai, a New York-based robotic kitchen startup, installed 15 hamburger grill robots across various burger chains in South Korea, including in Lotteria locations. "South Korean Lotteria set to expand into Philippines market" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
