Burger King?

[frank321]

Hi there,
I wonder, are there any "Burger King" restaurants in Japan? Does anybody know where to find one in central Tokyo? (I know it's unhealthy! And I know that there is Mos Burger and others, but I would like a Burger King ;-))
Frank

[kurogane]

http://www.weekender.co.jp/LatestEdition/960920/News.html

I did a search. That was the only result that came back that made any sense. I think that "960920" is the date of the article, in other words, really F'in old. I also read a few results that suggested that BK has pulled out of Japan. There used to be one on the west side of Shinjuku station. Take the exit that leads to the newer Metropolitan govt building, (on the way to Shinjuku Central Park), and it is (was?) in a mall on the right hand side, just before you exit the covered walkway area.

As a fellow Whopper-ist, I heartily sympathise. I like mine with no lettuce.
Another option is a Wendy's. I know its different, but at least you can get a nice greasy double cheese, or whatever you choose to replace The irreplaceable Whopper.

Anyone writing in with typical Western Neo-Puritan Health Fetish Fascist comments wil be urinated upon.

[Morning Star]

I don't believe there are any BK in Japan. Last time I had their glorious food was in Holland. I had to sneak away from the town I was staying in, and take a 30 minute bus ride to the nearest city just to get my hands on a chicken sandwich.

Kurochan... it seems like you're in quite a foul mood tonight. Somebody got a case of the Mondays?

[kurogane]

Thanks MS. Probably just hungry and wanting a Whopper. Or a real British Kebab.

I have ehard that BK has left Japan a few times, now. Sad.

[Frungy]

There used to be a BK in Takadanobaba too, but it disappeared. I'm guessing they pulled out of Japan.

At least there's still Wendy's around. I need my beef!

[kurogane]

Anyone else old enough to remember that when Wendy's first came out, the slogan below the little red haired girl's picture was "Hot and Juicy"? I suppose Dave got tired of everyone making dirty jokes about a rendition of his daughter, Wendy. She gives me the beef every time I go there. Gots to love the double cheese.

[Kumachan]

Gots to love the double cheese.
Which oddly enough is what we used to call a really hot girl way back when I was in high school.

[kuro_kitty]

There used to be a BK in Takadanobaba too, but it disappeared. I'm guessing they pulled out of Japan.

At least there's still Wendy's around. I need my beef!

That's Aussie beef by the way, not that infected American stuff. :p

[richard]

As the other posters have surmised BK did pull out of Japan and I believe it was around the the breakup of the bubble economy in the early 90's. Too much expansion too quickly along with competition from the "other" burg joint with golden arches plus little Wendy made BK throw in the towel.
R.

[kurogane]

That's Aussie beef by the way, not that infected American stuff. :p
Your beef infects me. I feel like I have Mad Kuro Disease.
Here kitty kitty kitty

[kurogane]

Which oddly enough is what we used to call a really hot girl way back when I was in high school.

Really? That is funny. I wonder if the etymology is somehow related?
What years are we talking about here, Bear-ie?

Thanks richard. My Whopper has drooped.
Rest in Peace, Baga Kingu

[Kumachan]

Really? That is funny. I wonder if the etymology is somehow related?
What years are we talking about here, Bear-ie?


That's going back maybe 20 years now, when co-incidentally enough I was working in Wendy's of all places. We came up with "food" names as a sort of code when a hot girl would be in the restaurant. I don't remember what they all were, but "double cheese" was the code for one that was really hot.

[wendyinjapan]

I am sure I went to a Baga Kingu not so long ago. The one in Takadanobaba big box is shut?

W.

[Theacehimself]

I think i remember seeing somewhere that there is a taco bell somewhere in japan? if this is true what city is it in? This could seriously have an effect on where i choose to live. Tbell is more than a fantastic resteraunt, its a lifestyle. If i had to eat one kind of fast food for the rest of my life, i should be so lucky as to have a steak grilled stuffed burrito...

[ShadyOne]

If you know any military people there is a BK on camp Zama. Also there is a Taco Bell on the base in atsugi. Go try to make some military friends in roppongi or something then you get the hook up on fast food.

[kurogane]

That's going back maybe 20 years now, when co-incidentally enough I was working in Wendy's of all places. We came up with "food" names as a sort of code when a hot girl would be in the restaurant. I don't remember what they all were, but "double cheese" was the code for one that was really hot.Too funny. So much for the actual etymological relation. My bored mind going a Bridge Too Far.

Now, about this US base BK and TB gig. Opposed as I am to any show of support for rampant expansionist global fascist capitalist imperialism and its shaven headed agents of doom, I say we all meet at three o'clock this Saturday just outside the gates at Atsugi and sing ""From the Halls of Montezuma" over and over until they let us in. Then we gorge. Prepare For Battle.

[swordfishtrombone]

Burger King left the market only a couple of years ago. They had entered a JV with one of the major rail cos. to get better locations but couldn't handle the competition from McDs which is everywhere or at least at any station worth putting a restaurant in. Wendy's also suffered and had to close a few places but is still around.

Taco Bell has tested marketed (in Nagoya I think) but couldn't get it right. Apparently the Japanese market is not as ripe as we Gaijin would like to think for cheap Mex fast food.

There was also an El Pollo Loco in Harajuku but that's gone too.

El Torito is hanging in there with a couple of restaurants (Omotesando, Shibuya) but they've had to close some and the quality varies from place to place.

Recently TGIFriday's is on the move (roppongi, ginza, shibuya, etc. etc.), after joint venturing with the Watami Group which has loads of izakayas all over the place. Personally I can't stand the place, but if you're in withdrawals you gotta do what you gotta do.


Anything else?

[kurogane]

They just don't get the Mexican thing, do they? Sadness.
As for TGIFs, I hear you. They, however, are Izakaya-esque, which plays to the social/compa/company outing market. Crap, but culturally sensitive crap.
I WANT A WHOPPER< DAMMJMMMMMITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[swordfishtrombone]

I found this page for Tokyo/Yokohama area Mexican places:

http://mex-jpn-amigo.org/espanol/contents08e.html

es muy bueno.

[ShadyOne]

Too funny. So much for the actual etymological relation. My bored mind going a Bridge Too Far.

Now, about this US base BK and TB gig. Opposed as I am to any show of support for rampant expansionist global fascist capitalist imperialism and its shaven headed agents of doom, I say we all meet at three o'clock this Saturday just outside the gates at Atsugi and sing ""From the Halls of Montezuma" over and over until they let us in. Then we gorge. Prepare For Battle.

Not to be a smart ___ or anything but that would be the wrong song to sing in front of atsugi. That would be correct if you were outside of camp fugi. That song is the marine corp hymn. I was stationed at atsugi. What you would want to sing is Anchors Away. If you don't want to try to get some sailors to get on base you could try to make friends with some jmsdf people, they share the base with the US military. Also I am sad to say Atsugi has no BK, It has taco bell McDonalds, Popeye's and thats about it. For burger king you have to go to Camp Zama or Yokota Air Base. Just a bit of helpful info if you are actually planning to try to get on these bases to eat. Also it would not be a good idea to stand in front of the gates to try to get in, the US military is very paranoid about these kinds of things and would most likely have you ejected by the japanese police who also stand guard at the gates. Just a little helpful info from your resident military expert.

[Frungy]

Omg Popeyes?!?!?

Omg Omg Omg Omg Omg Omg Omg Omg