While Starbucks stores in a significant number of countries are dealing with crises in the shadow of the war in Israel, it seems that business continues as usual in the Japanese arm of the leading coffee chain.
Starbucks Japan has launched a fitting, hot drink for the New Year, the Year of the Dragon in the Land of the Rising Sun. Dragons, as we know, tend to blow flames in their spare time, and as a tribute to this, the chain offers a limited-edition fire-sharp Japanese chai latte.
Sharp Fire,
It's fortified with pepper (Japanese and fire-spicy, of course), comes in an ornate dragon cup, and is available starting this week in convenience stores across the country – but not in the cafes themselves, where another strange special awaits you:
The chilled drink?
In the best Japanese tradition of snacking on traditional New Year's Eve sweets, get a Daifuku-flavored Frappuccino (Starbucks' famous shredded ice drink) – a traditional Japanese dessert made from sticky rice cake (mochi) in various fillings, which goes great with a cup of green tea.
Add real bits of mochi for an extra chewy texture, whipped cream, syrup, white chocolate powder and a blend of Hojicha green tea varieties ("fried tea") – and you've got a decadent treat that Starbucks Japan says will make you feel like you're biting into a real difuku with green tea next to it.
The sticky drink,
And if you're asking yourself which is the second drink that has crept into the picture - it's the "Huajicha Caramel Latte Tea", which is a warm and solid option for those who don't want to go down in the middle of winter on a glass full of shredded ice and sticky rice. Their right.
Starbucks Japan tea, photo: PR
A bite in the forest
The fast food chain "Dom Dom Burger" may not be so familiar to foreigners who visit Japan, since it operates fewer than 30 branches in the country - but it is important to take into account that it is the oldest burger chain in the Land of the Rising Sun, founded in 1970 and ahead of McDonald's by a year.
Despite its modest and relatively limited presence, the Japanese keep Dom Dom Burger a warm corner of their hearts - a bit like many Israelis remain loyal to Burgerranch, despite competition from giant American chains. Perhaps that's why Dom Dome allows itself to go wild from time to time with obviously unusual dishes, such as its grandiose new maitake mushroom burger.
Burger with mushrooms considered a delicacy, photo: PR
Maitake mushrooms are considered a high-quality, prestigious and rare delicacy especially in Japan, so much so that in the past, giving them as a gift was accepted as a gesture of respect.
Bottom Line: Dom Dom Burger's Maitake Burger contains no less than 200 grams of the coveted mushroom, proudly loaded on one meatball, plus a generous drizzle of teriyaki sauce. Despite the prestigious ingredient, the price of the sandwich in Japan is only 890 yen (about 22 shekels), and it can also be purchased as part of a meal for 1,190 yen (about 30 shekels).
Enthusiastic Japanese tasters who have already tried the dish enjoyed it very much and defined the experience as "putting a bite into a forest", and we must admit that the idea - as well as the sane price - appeal to us very much.
(No) we are fed lokesh
Everyone knows that one of the ingredients of any proper ramen bowl is the meaty noodles that accompany the soup and the various toppings (especially since the word "manna" in Japanese means "noodles"). Now do with the following information what you want: Nomen is a new Japanese product, which detracts the noodles from the ramen and leaves us, well, only with the soup. A kind of "melt in a glass" if you like: just add boiling water, mix with flavored powder (chicken broth, fish broth, etc.), and if you ask us - stay with the half empty glass.
Ramen without "man", photo: PR
The manufacturer, a company called Amiin Foods, which actually specializes in ramen hinges so at least we'll give it credit, clarifies in free translation that Nomen is "a perfect product for those who want to eat ramen, but don't want to exceed their calorie quota or upset their stomach." We don't know, we got angry even without tasting the product.
Bonus: Third time popsicle
The GariGarikon glacier was launched in Japan in 1981 and was offered more than four decades ago at 50 yen (NIS 1.27, at the current exchange rate). Its cheap price and unique texture - a hard layer of ice wrapped around a filling of "shaved" ice flakes ("shaved ice") that melt in the mouth and create the feeling of drinking fruity soda - has made the iconic candy especially beloved by generations of Japanese children, as well as adults who continue to indulge in it to this day.
The Popsicle,
This March, the price of the frozen dessert will rise to 80 yen (about two shekels). But in Japan, as in Japan, consumers are not taken for granted.
Akagi, the maker of the legendary iceberg, issued an apology on its website for the price increase, citing the rise in production and distribution inputs as the main reason for the move. The company also modestly clarifies that it had no choice but to compromise on product quality, and hopes for customers' understanding. Three price increases in 43 years and a sincere apology? You can live with that.
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