auto-food

Key Takeaways：Burger King Japan drops three summer-only BBQ Steak Whoppers on June 19, 2026, each stacking American beef short rib steak atop a flame-grilled patty and finished with a newly developed 10-spice BBQ sauce. Prices run from 1,190 to 1,590 yen, with Cheese and Double versions for bigger appetites. Burger King Unveils Summer-Limited BBQ Steak Whopper BK Japan will launch three summer-limited burgers, the BBQ Steak Whopper, Cheese BBQ Steak Whopper, and Double BBQ Steak Whopper, starting Friday, June 19, 2026. Each piles American beef short rib steak boldly atop a flame-grilled 100% beef patty, finished with a newly developed “Special BBQ Spice Sauce” blended from 10 spices for a hearty, full-flavored burger. The Special BBQ Spice Sauce and Beef Short Rib Steak The American beef short rib steak is first seared over an open flame for a deep char, then prepared using a combination of vacuum heat cooking and […]

Key Takeaways：Hanamaru Udon brings back its viral Cold Lemon Kishimen for 11 days (June 18–28, 2026) as part of the Sanuki Shimen Matsuri 2026. The 690-yen bowl piles roughly a whole lemon’s worth of slices over silky Hoshigaoka Seimenjo kishimen, and after selling out across Tokyo last year it now expands to 23 stores in Kagawa, Nagoya, Kansai, and Greater Tokyo. With only about 15 bowls per store each day, it’s a limited summer treat worth catching early. Hanamaru Udon Returns to the Udon Artisans’ Festival, “Sanuki Shimen Matsuri 2026” Hanamaru Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Takamatsu, Kagawa; President Yoshihiro Maeda; part of Yoshinoya Holdings), operator of the Sanuki udon chain Hanamaru Udon, is taking part in the udon artisans’ festival “Sanuki Shimen Matsuri 2026,” led by udon shops across Kagawa Prefecture. To mark the occasion, the special menu item “Cold Lemon Kishimen” (690 yen incl. tax) — sold only in

Key Takeaways：Zetteria is rolling out two new summer sodas from June 24, 2026—the headliner Yuzu Green Lemonade Soda and a Green Lemonade Pepsi. Both pair bright citrus with fizzy carbonation for a refreshing hot-weather pick-me-up, priced at 390 yen (M) / 490 yen (L) and available at around 270 stores until early September while supplies last. Zetteria Debuts Refreshing New Summer Drinks Zetteria, the hamburger chain operated by Burger One Co., Ltd. (President: Hiroshi Kimura / HQ: Minato-ku, Tokyo) under Zensho Holdings, will launch two summer-ready drinks for a limited time starting Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The star is the new Yuzu Green Lemonade Soda, where the aroma of yuzu and the coolness of lemon burst out with fizzy carbonation. What Is Zetteria’s Green Lemonade Soda Zetteria’s Green Lemonade Soda combines a lemon syrup made with Sicilian lemon juice with whole green lemons used skin and all. It features a

Key Takeaways：Yoshinoya is marking 500 million cumulative servings of its frozen gyudon with a limited campaign running June 17–30, 2026. Grab special-priced sets at 5,000 or 5,555 yen across the official shop and major EC malls, and buyers are automatically entered to win one of five HARIO glass-lidded rice pots. Yoshinoya’s Frozen Gyudon Tops 500 Million Servings Yoshinoya Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Tetsuya Naruse) is holding a commemorative campaign featuring special sets and a prize giveaway at the Yoshinoya Official Online Shop and various EC mall stores, marking the milestone of cumulative shipments of its frozen gyudon (beef bowl topping) reaching 500 million servings. Since going on sale in 1993, Yoshinoya’s frozen gyudon has been loved by countless customers and has now surpassed 500 million cumulative servings (estimated from cumulative shipments between March 1993 and the end of February 2026). As a product that lets you enjoy Yoshinoya’s

Key Takeaways：Nakau adds a summer-ready bowl, the Katsuobushi Okra Maguro Tataki Don, starting June 24, 2026. It piles bonito flakes and crunchy okra onto the chain’s coarsely minced tuna tataki for a light but umami-rich meal that’s easy to eat in the heat. Regular size is 920 yen, with takeout available at 446 locations. Nakau Unveils a Refreshing Summer Bowl: Katsuobushi Okra Maguro Tataki Don Nakau, the donburi and Kyoto-style udon chain operated by Nakau Co., Ltd. (a Zensho Holdings company), will release a new summer menu item, “Katsuobushi Okra Maguro Tataki Don” (Bonito Flakes & Okra Minced Tuna Rice Bowl), from 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Built on Nakau’s signature “Maguro Tataki Don”—where tuna is coarsely chopped to bring out its umami and aroma—this new bowl adds appetizing, summer-friendly ingredients. What Makes This Bowl Special The “Katsuobushi Okra Maguro Tataki Don” tops coarsely minced tuna tataki with

Key Takeaways：Gusto is bringing back its 1992 “Original Japanese-Style Salad Udon” for the first time in roughly 20 years, launching June 18, 2026 alongside white peach × Earl Grey summer desserts. A Father’s Day coupon also slashes prices on 30 items—including half-price beer and highballs—through July 1, making it an easy excuse to bring the whole family. Gusto Brings Back Its Founding-Era “Original Japanese-Style Salad Udon” Gusto, the family restaurant chain operated by Skylark Restaurants, will roll out a limited-time summer menu starting Thursday, June 18, 2026, featuring the revived dish “Original Japanese-Style Salad Udon”. To celebrate Father’s Day, the chain will also distribute a “Father’s Day Coupon” offering deals on 30 menu items, including half-price beer and highballs—perfect for the whole family. A Traditional Flavor Loved Since 1992 Returns The “Original Japanese-Style Salad Udon” is a revival of a popular dish first sold back in 1992 under the name

Key Takeaways：Matsuya Foods turns 60 and is marking it with an original brand song, ‘A Gentle Place That Awaits You,’ written by Shimokitazawa rock band ORCALAND. The track starts playing in stores nationwide on June 16, 2026, with a behind-the-scenes movie, streaming release, and full music video following over the next few weeks. It’s a warm, easy-listening tie-up about being there for people who work hard every day—and yes, the band eats gyumeshi in the video. Matsuya Foods Unveils an Original Brand Song for Its 60th Anniversary Matsuya Foods Holdings Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Musashino, Tokyo; President and Representative Director Kazutoshi Kawarabuki) has released an original brand song titled “A Gentle Place That Awaits You” (Anata wo Matsu Yasashii Basho) to commemorate its 60th anniversary. From 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the song began playing in Matsuya stores nationwide (excluding some locations). The track was written specifically for

Key Takeaways：KFC Japan is running a Founder’s Anniversary Pack from June 17 to July 7, 2026: three pieces of Original Recipe Chicken plus a Colonel’s Crispy for 990 yen — a 290-yen saving over buying them separately. The three-week deal kicks off a larger campaign celebrating Colonel Sanders, complete with a new Shiori Sato TV commercial and the return of KFC’s rare “Chicken Meister” certification. KFC Spotlights Its Signature Original Recipe Chicken KFC Japan (Nihon KFC) is launching the “Original Recipe Chicken: Discover the Secret of Its Deliciousness Campaign” from June 17, 2026 (Wed) through September, the birth month of founder Colonel Sanders. The large-scale initiative aims to share the craftsmanship behind KFC’s one-and-only signature item, Original Recipe Chicken, with even more customers. The first phase brings a value-packed “Founder’s Anniversary Pack” for a limited time, alongside a new TV commercial starring Shiori Sato. First Phase: Founder’s Anniversary Pack Saves

Key Takeaways：Marugame Seimen joined Tokyo Pride 2026 for the fourth straight year, rolling out a kitchen car with a limited-edition “Rainbow Udonut” (400 yen) coated in colorful rice crisps. Beyond the playful treat, parent company Toridoll HD used the booth to share its real LGBTQ+ commitments—training, a same-sex partnership system, and ally programs—making this more than just a novelty menu story. Toridoll HD Exhibits at Tokyo Pride 2026 Toridoll Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO Takaya Awata), the operator of the Sanuki udon specialty chain Marugame Seimen, set up a booth at the “Pride Festival” of Tokyo Pride 2026, one of Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, held on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026. This marks the Toridoll Group’s fourth consecutive year of participation. A Marugame Seimen kitchen car appeared at the venue, selling the event-exclusive “Rainbow Udonut” (400 yen, tax included). This visually playful treat features

Key Takeaways：CoCo Ichibanya is teaming up with the Chiikawa movie for its first-ever collaboration, planned for summer 2026 at stores across Japan. This is just a teaser for now—the full lineup of collab menu items, merchandise, and special perks gets revealed on July 1, 2026. Chiikawa Movie x CoCo Ichibanya: First Collaboration Confirmed Ichibanya Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Ichinomiya, Aichi; President Mamoru Kuzuhara), the operator of the curry restaurant chain CoCo Ichibanya, has announced its first-ever collaboration campaign with the “Chiikawa” movie at CoCo Ichibanya locations nationwide. This release is a preview, with full details to be revealed at a later date. “This Summer, the Chiikawa Characters Are Coming to CoCo Ichibanya!” This marks the first time the wildly popular character Chiikawa has teamed up with the iconic curry brand CoCo Ichibanya. True to the tagline “This summer, the Chiikawa characters are coming to CoCo Ichibanya!”, the campaign is being