McDonald’s is shaking up the menu again, this time in Japan, with a sandwich that ditches the bun entirely.
Launching April 16, the Gohan Chicken Tatsuta swaps traditional bread for grilled rice patties. It’s bold, it’s fried, and it’s only available after 5 p.m. as part of a limited-edition dinner menu.
The sandwich comes in two versions: The Rice Chicken Tatsuta, topped with sweet-and-sour sauce (for 500 yen, or about $3.50) and the Rice Chicken Tatsuta Tartar, which adds a generous spoonful of tartar sauce (550 yen, or $3.85).
For those who prefer things the old-school way, McDonald’s is also offering both options on a regular bun during daytime hours. The options with buns are a bit cheaper, starting at 450 yen (around $3.15).
This latest launch is more than a quirky menu twist. It’s part of a crossover with Detective Conan, the long-running manga-turned-anime series that remains massively popular in Japan. Collaborations like this are a big reason McDonald’s continues to dominate the Japanese fast-food market.
Last year, McDonald’s Japan brought in over 405 billion yen in sales—up 6.1% from 2023. Operating income jumped 17.5%. Not bad for a chain that still serves fries with Hello Kitty toys.
And yes, in case you were wondering, travelers and Reddit threads alike swear that McDonald’s just tastes better in Japan.
So, if you’re headed that way, maybe skip the tourist traps and go straight for a rice-bun fried chicken sandwich.