Wendy's Japan Debuts Takoyaki Burger in Osaka Expo Spirit
As anticipation builds for the 2025 World Expo in Japan's Kansai region, Osaka, the Expo's host city, is experiencing a surge of celebratory events and themed offerings. From specially designed flights landing at its airports to the temporary visit of a life-sized Gundam, the city is embracing its role on the global stage.
Adding to the Osaka-centric buzz is a culinary creation from the fast-food chain Wendy's, which in Japan operates in conjunction with First Kitchen. In a nod to Osaka's renowned street food culture, they have announced the Takoyaki Burger. Takoyaki, often translated as "octopus balls," are a beloved Osaka specialty: savory grilled spheres of batter filled with pieces of octopus, green onions, and often other ingredients like tempura scraps or pickled ginger, all generously topped with a sweet and savory sauce akin to barbecue sauce, along with mayonnaise, dried bonito flakes, and aonori seaweed. The dish is ubiquitous in Osaka, found in countless street stalls, and so ingrained in local culture that many households possess their own takoyaki makers. Souvenir shops throughout the city overflow with takoyaki-themed trinkets, from keychains to plush toys and even flavored soft drinks, making its incorporation into an Osaka-themed burger a logical, if unexpected, choice.
The Takoyaki Burger itself is presented as a straightforward yet attention-grabbing offering. For 780 yen (approximately US$5.22), customers will receive a standard all-beef patty topped with three authentic takoyaki balls, all nestled within a bun. The takoyaki on the burger retain their traditional toppings: creamy mayonnaise, delicate shavings of dried bonito that seem to dance in the steam, vibrant green aonori seaweed flakes, and the distinctive sweet-savory takoyaki sauce.
An interesting aspect of this culinary promotion is its availability across the dual-branded Wendy's First Kitchen locations as well as standalone First Kitchen restaurants. These two chains, while operating under a shared umbrella in Japan, offer fundamentally different burger styles. Wendy's is known for its square beef patties, while First Kitchen features more conventional round patties. This means that consumers with a preference for either style will have access to the Osaka-themed burger, depending on their chosen location.
However, a note of disappointment has emerged for some Osaka residents eager to sample this local-inspired creation. The fine print of the press release indicates that the Takoyaki Burger will not be available at Wendy's First Kitchen locations in the Namba and Tempozan areas of Osaka, as well as in Shinkyogoku in Kyoto, and Aqua City Odaiba in Tokyo. Despite this localized exclusion, the burger is slated to be sold at over 70 other Wendy's First Kitchen and First Kitchen locations throughout Japan, offering a wider opportunity for those outside these specific areas to experience this unconventional fusion of American fast food and Osaka street food. The anticipation for its release on March 27th remains for many across the country, curious to see how these seemingly disparate culinary worlds collide within the confines of a single burger.
