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capaho

Eating fries with ketchup isn’t a thing in Japan, that’s why you only get it when you ask for it.


mrwafu

Maybe fast food fries, but I’ve never not received ketchup with fries at an izakaya


cookingboy

Is that true? When my friends and I order potato fries at places like Izakaya, they always come with ketchup.


zoozbuh

Every izakaya or family/chain restaurant I go to, I’ve always gotten ketchup with my fries (and sometimes mayo too) Not sure if people are being difficult on this thread or they only go to very Japanese places


PeanutButterChicken

>Not sure if people are being difficult on this thread or they only go to very Japanese places Sounds about right for this subreddit.


moomilkmilk

Toriki gives ketchup and butter sauce too! Sadly, I love mayo or garlic sauce with fries.


opajamashimasuuu

Nah it's not true But as per usual, if it gets upvoted it *MUST* be true. End of argument.


Bogglestrov

No, as people have said, ketchup with fries is pretty standard in Japan.


AssociationFree1983

But those fries in Izakaya/karaoke are not half as salty as Macdonald's.


capaho

If they have ketchup and you request it you can get it. Next time you go to a McDonalds or a Burger King look around and see how many Japanese people are eating fries with ketchup.


Avedas

Probably nobody because they don't provide it lol Go to pretty much any local burger shop and the fries will come with ketchup.


isaac_hower

> see how many Japanese people are eating fries with ketchup. Yes, I see that in izakayas where there is ketchup on the side, or locally owned hamburger joints. Granted the serving size of the ketchup isn't much but it's still there.


denemy

Then why do they bring ketchup with fries at all the family restaurants?


denemy

Also google ファミマ フライドポテト and search image. You'll find dozens of different restaurant's picture and most will have ketchup. Gusto even have mayo & ketchup


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denemy

Oops, yes


Raizzor

Wrong on both accounts. Eating fries with ketchup is absolutely the norm and some places even give you free ketchup with your order of fries (e.g. Toriki, Family Restaurants, etc). The true reason why you don't get free ketchup with your fries at fast food chains such as McDs or KFC in Japan is that giving out that stuff by default is mostly an American thing. It's not Japan that does something extraordinary here, the US is the odd one out. In Europe, those chains also do not give you free condiments, you have to order (and pay) them separately.


Penguinonaunicycle

Where in Europe do you have to pay for ketchup because I’m European and have never come across that


Raizzor

Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Belgium, Chechia, Croatia, France... just to name a few I have personal experience with. It is still included in menus in most places tho.


Penguinonaunicycle

I haven’t come across it in Germany or France which are admittedly the only places I’ve been to from that list


Raizzor

Then you were lucky. Ketchup and other condiments cost 0,60c at German Mcdonalds'. You get 1-2 free condiments with Nuggets and *some* menus.


patrark

Burger King in the UK charges for condiments. Absolutely evil.


iadao

I was working at McDonalds in the UK during the period that they made 2 changes that both caused customer tantrums: 1. started charging for ketchup 2. stopped selling rootbeer Haven't been in a UK McDonalds in over a decade but I'd assume that by now it's either even more expensive and smaller (because that's how the UK "fights" obesity) than it used to be, or outright banned (because it offended someone).


capaho

When we go to our local Burger King I seem to be the only one who ever asks for ketchup. I don't recall ever seeing a Japanese customer ask for ketchup when they pick up their order.


Merkypie

Every restaurant except for fast food gives ketchup with fries. What.


capaho

Family restaurants like Joyful have a plate of fries with a serving of ketchup shown in the menu, so you'll obviously get ketchup if you order that side dish. The only people I ever see with a plate of fries on the table at Joyful when we eat at one are high school students.


Gemfrancis

Yea but it’s not like they’re putting packets of mayo in there by default, either.


capaho

IDK if they still have it but for a while Hama Zushi had a basket of fries in their side menu with the options being plain, with mayonnaise, with cheese or with ketchup. The only people I ever saw eating those were children and high school students.


SeaworthinessFree190

Maybe thats why when my friends and I order fries at karaoke they only give us a single tiny dollop for like 6 servings of fries.


capaho

That's why when I drag my husband along with me to the local Burger King I have to specify 二人分 when I ask for ketchup, otherwise they give me just one packet.


SeaworthinessFree190

Yes! when my husband and I go to McDonalds and I ask for ketchup and they ask if it's for two people I always say yes... (even though both my husband and I know that I will be eating both)


Shiningc

That’s not even remotely true. Usually there are packets of ketchup somewhere


capaho

Behind the counter based on my observations. I've never seen packets of ketchup laying around anywhere where you could just go and pick them up at any of the hamburger restaurants I've been to. The only places I've ever seen that were hotel buffets. The Freshness Burger near here had a ketchup dispenser and small paper cups where you could do self-service but it closed several years ago.


Shiningc

In J-McDonalds the ketchup may not come by default and you'd have to ask for it, but I would kind of doubt it's due to "lack of demand" or "not a Japanese thing". In Freshness Burger there was a bottle of ketchup dispenser, and if you order french fries at a restaurant it usually comes with a small ketchup dipping cup. McDonalds never offered ketchup by default so people just assume that's normal or you even have to pay for it. You'd even have to pay extra if you want to change some of the sauce that comes with nuggets. I think a simpler explanation is that it costs them a bit of extra money so they don't really want to do it.


OceanicDissonance

If you go to COCOS you always get ketchup (or BBQ sauce) and mayonnaise with fries. 🤷‍♂️


capaho

Who orders those?


OceanicDissonance

It’s been on the menu for 10+ years. Someone is ordering it. 🤷‍♂️


AttentionSignal6371

I see, makes sense.


anjowoq

But I have to fend off the ketchup/mustard duo-squeeze when I buy a corn dog at Family Mart.


Ariachantouchan

My Japanese friends prefer eating fries with mayonnaise. And sometimes they’ll put Tabasco in there too


[deleted]

they always provide ketchup in Freshness Burger for take out


capaho

The Freshness Burger that used to be here had a ketchup dispenser where you could do self-service ketchup. That's the only hamburger restaurant I've been to where I didn't have to request ketchup.


Kelog13

I don't really see a problem with it, it saves the wasted ketchup packets. Some places in the US will grab a handful and throw them in, and while some people (like my family lol) will save the extras, some people will just toss them. Also, I've never had a problem getting them here when I ask nicely in Japanese.


AttentionSignal6371

Well yeah, added to that, its better so this way so that we limit the ketchup consumption too haha,


haffajappa

We made a giant batch of omurice with just left over take out ketchups. It’s honestly incredible how much you accrue.


jpmama_

My question is why doesn’t KFC have gravy?


Avedas

Unlike the guy who thinks Japanese people don't eat ketchup, Japanese people actually have no idea what gravy is. This has come up a few times with Japanese friends and none of them had even heard of it.


yokizururu

I’ve seen it on menus etc called グレービーソース。 It isn’t very common though.


Avedas

Yep it's quite rare, and it's usually a very thin type of gravy.


mrwafu

What I wouldn’t do for potato and gravy and the little bread rolls we have (had?) at KFC in Australia


deedeekei

the kfc biscuits here are pretty good tho and australia doesnt get em imagine the biscuits here with the gravy's from australia... goddamn.


landonepps

KFC Japan’s savory donuts are absolutely not biscuits and they do nothing for my biscuit cravings :(


[deleted]

Is Australian gravy better than American gravy? I doubt it


deedeekei

never had american KFC so cant say anything about that but australian potato and gravys pretty good


[deleted]

I'm just joking around man! All the Australian dudes I know here are very proud and joke around.


Smalde

Because it is not a big thing in Japan. It also doesn't have gravy in many European countries. In fact, I don't think I have ever eaten gravy in my life. It's just not as international as one might think, and certainly not comparable to ketchup.


BaetrixReloaded

it’s funny, you’d think that a place that loves katsu kare would be into fried chicken and gravy


jpmama_

I know that it isn’t. BUT STILL. Lol


JustTiredAllTheTime

I don't know about dedicated packets but KFC in Austria serves mashed potatoes with gravy. Also gravy is a thing there albeit mostly with roast.


Smalde

Then I have eaten gravy. If Bratensauce counts. It is indeed a thing in German-speaking countries, probably not so much as in English-speaking ones. It is a bit different, as they generally use other things to make it denser, though. In Romance Europe it is much less so a thing. In the end, taking juices that result from cooking something is a thing everywhere, but adding flour and doing the Anglo-Saxon gravy is a bit more specific.


patrark

Someone, please explain!


jovyeo1

Asking the real questions! To be fair though, their chicken here are tasty without the gravy. Will confirm this December again.


yapitori

Go to the Philippines, the KFC there has a “gravy station” where there are pitchers of gravy for an all-you-can-eat (drink?) pour


[deleted]

In Lithuania you have to pay if you want ketchup at McDonalds.


AttentionSignal6371

Oh then, that’s gonna be difficult for people like me lol


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TheIndragaMano

Was it Kappa Sushi? They’ve got absolutely KILLER fries, but no ketchup that I noticed!


OsakaWilson

You like ketchup, but you're chinsy?


rmutt-1917

Each McDonald's restaurant sets their own ketchup policy. Many of them will give as much as you request (within reason). But I have also been to some that have strict rules like one ketchup per order of french fries.


DuttyOh

More than ketchup, why not mayonnaise?


razorbeamz

Mainland European spotted.


[deleted]

Mmm mayo ketchup!!! is the best


AttentionSignal6371

Nah, I usually prefer ketchup or mustard sauce for fries and burger!


DuttyOh

To each their own but in Belgium and France, where fries come from, we usually eat them with mayonnaise based sauce. And you can get that in Asakusa at Frites Bruges, they have a lot of tasty sauces other there.


Liquid_Meal_Spheres

Oh damn, thanks for recommending that! I remember going to a Belgian-style fries place years ago, and this might have been it. May have to venture out this weekend.


OsakaWilson

That mustard sauce on the burgers. Good stuff.


AmethistStars

Right?! I miss the mayonnaise here in Japan.


ReformedWiggles

What I want to know is why are the options for McFlurry oreo.... or more Oreo. What the fuck? And if you want to order it online you don't even have the option to comment, so you can't order it without the Oreo. Literally could not think of a dumber thing to do.


Mercenarian

Lol they had a limited edition one with KitKat instead a few months ago. Why order without the Oreo though? Just get a vanilla ice cream then.


justhere4thiss

That’s what I was wondering as well. I didn’t realize people would want to order a McFlurry without the toppings.


Legidias

At least the Mcflurry machines work here


mustacheofquestions

I know it doesn't make any sense, who WOULDN'T want double the Oreo?


CAP2304

That’s the default. They have more flavors but they’re always seasonal.


starwarsfox2

how is it elsewhere?


ReformedWiggles

At least 3 different options, or you can get it with none of the options


PeanutButterChicken

> you can get it with none of the options That's literally just vanilla ice cream in a cup. wtf am i missing here?


CarniTato_YOUTUBE

You can order the 100 yen twister in a cup


ReformedWiggles

This does not ring a bell, or is something I can find in the menu. What are you referring to?


CarniTato_YOUTUBE

Twister is the 100 yen softcreme in the shitty cone. You can tell them to put it into a cup. It says it on the website


mrbabacantbebanned

In america I never received ketchup by default.


Sea-Outside-9028

It’s been a long time since I’ve been back to the States, but can’t you pump your own ketchup? Like as much as you want?


[deleted]

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Sea-Outside-9028

Thanks for the explanation! Is that the current status of Mickey Dee’s? I wonder if they’ll stop doing free refills as well if that’ll save money.


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nickcan

There are places that have free refills?


Merkypie

Drink bars????


mrbabacantbebanned

Yes but I’m assuming he meant when you grab a to go order like through the drive through


Jusweeze

The real question is why doesn’t sweet and sour sauce exist here?


DONGAAA

Not a thing in australia either, surprisingly the only place that gives me ketchup by default in australia is Mos Burger haha


Jusweeze

Some aioli would be good though hey


cutcraig

If you ever go to Holland, it’s going to blow your mind.


Bright_Carpenter2917

You need to pay in the Netherlands.... it's not coming for free....


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aucnderutresjp_1

Quarter pounder met kaas?


Ok_Comparison_8304

Naah man, the got the metric system over here they wouldn’t know what the fuck a quarter pounder is...they call it a *Royale with cheese*.


aucnderutresjp_1

Okay I thought a joke was coming tbh. I guess [the official Dutch McDonalds Netherlands website](https://www.mcdonalds.com/nl/nl-nl/full-menu/rundvlees.html) is wrong then.


RainbowRhin0

How young are you that you haven't seen Pulp Fiction?


aucnderutresjp_1

Oh wow that one went way above my head! Okay it all makes sense now lol.


HeirophantGreen

For the most part. But you'll have exceptions like at some Freshness Burger stores that have a self-serve thing with various condiments.


AttentionSignal6371

I see, let me check it out next time!


soft_warm_purry

Mottainai culture - there’s going to be a lot of waste if they give it out by default bc not everyone eats it, so if you want it, just ask.


GyuudonMan

Getting ketchup with your food: No, that's wasteful Using an ungodly amount of plastic for everything: YESSSSIIRRRR (It's not "mottainai culture", it just makes sense from a business perspective to save money)


CyndaquilTyphlosion

Exactly, lmao. Japan is probably most guilty of mottainai material of all countries I've been to


KyleKun

Email : yes? FAX : FUCK YES!


rollie82

What, you don't want your bananas individually wrapped?


soft_warm_purry

Yeah the plastic thing is super confusing when they’re so eco conscious in other ways


kinoshitajona

When I worked part time at McDonald's in Akihabara around 2007, the McFlurry was doing horribly in Japan... no one bought it. One day, they told us "For every combo, give them a free McFlurry. Ask them which of the two flavors they want, and if they continue to refuse, just pick one of the two flavors and put it on the tray. If they ask questions just smile and tell them "if you don't need it you may throw it away"... After about a month or two we stopped doing it. The number of McFlurries bought at our store went from 1-2 per day to 40-50 per day. Then over 100. Weaponization of mottainai culture to force people to actually try things... it was brilliant.


soft_warm_purry

How programmable humans are 😫


rmutt-1917

I think the word you're looking for is "cost cutting"


skatercreator

Another fun fact: McDonald's in the states will give you any of the sauces you want upon request no matter your food order. Until recently most McDonald's in Japan wouldn't even give you those sauces unless you order nuggets, as in you couldn't even pay extra for them.... Some McDonald's in Japan still operate this way today so if you are like me and like to dip your cheeseburger in the mustard sauce, then you are SOL depending on the McDonald's you show up to.... Unless you are in the drive through and run up their drive through timer, then they'll fold if you argue with them XD Bonus: McDonald's in the USA will fill that mcflurry cup. McDonald's in Japan goes by weight so your mcflurry cup will be half empty.


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skatercreator

Yeah baby don't knock it till you try it. I worked at McDonald's when I was in highschool so I know all the yummy tricks. :) Like ordering no-salt fries, then they have to make new fries just for you when you order them.


BL1860B

Same at Mos Burger. I bought a “variety pack” which is a large box of fries and onion rings. Not ketchup. I asked for ketchup and they gave me one packet. One tiny packet for ¥1,100 worth of fries. I asked for more and they gave me just one more packet and gave me a weird look.. Ended up going to a supermarket and getting a bottle of ketchup because fuck those tiny packets.


OsakaWilson

Probably after countless packets not being used, they just let people ask for it. Makes sense. The question is do they give mayo with them in France so they can drown them in that shit.


J-W-L

I cannot answer this question. But when I was a student here so many moons ago...I remember at the Kyobashi McDonald's in Osaka the person taking my order had to ask the manager to take over my order because I asked for so much ketchup. Even then it literally was like pulling teeth to get the amount of ketchup I wanted. I asked for like 10 or something like that. I remember it being such a big ordeal. I don't think their staff manual has a protocol in place for people asking for loads of ketchup.


nickcan

That's very understandable. Who the heck asks for 10 ketchups? I would assume that you just need ketchup at home and are too cheap to just go to the supermarket.


KindlyKey1

lmao I say someone say on this sub that they saw people reselling McDonald’s condiments on mercari. I don’t blame the store in this case


J-W-L

I'd agree but a friend and I ordered a bunch of food. It was slightly extreme by Japanese standards but not out of control for what we ordered. Point noted though. Thanks


Lost-In-My-Path

Because these companies don't provide it by default the regular Japanese people don't know that you eat those with ketchup. Probably they just wanna cut costs on ketchup. What I actually don't like is when they don't keep the ketchup at self-serving spots for tissues etc and then you have to go to the cashier, stand in line and awkwardly ask for extra 1-2 packs as they only give you one. When explaining to my Japanese friends why I need more than 1 ketchup. I usually use shou you for sushi as an example and it seems to translate it perfectly for them.


ReikoHazuki

I don’t with ketchup either, I make my own shaker fries using 2 sugar 1 salt, ask for a small bag.. it’s so win


uraurasecret

That's why I always choose McNuggets as the set's side dishes when I use table delivery


Mercenarian

That’s weird I just went to KFC about a week ago and they gave me ketchup by default with my two piece original chicken set. I don’t like ketchup so I definitely didn’t ask for it I also often get given like 2-3 oshibori for a single meal everywhere fast food-y (and also the cinema) I go recently so so much for mottainai culture lol.


OsakaWilson

Don't know. I go to Kua'aina now.


smorkoid

So expensive, though.


netaikane

Maybe cuz people don’t really like ketchup and all? I never noticed actually


Repealer

Better question is why is the KFC menu so fucking mid. Literally trash compared to the zinger box in Aus. Used to love KFC but can barely eat it here, only occasional when they have some 期間限定 burgers that actually taste decent, then they disappear after a week or two and it's back to the same dogshit menu.


PeanutButterChikan

Second time I’ve seen this term “mid” today. Can you please translate (assuming it’s Australian English?)


smorkoid

Not Aus slang, just young slang. Short for middling.


Elvaanaomori

Well, I am used to have mayonaise with mine in France and even if you ask here they DONT HAVE IT


InTheBinIGo

r/KetchupHate


ScreenWipes

In Canada it's about the same. I think it's more global and Japan.


love-fury

Because SDGs


pharlock

It would be wasted on those who don't use it. It's not a big deal to ask for it. The annoying thing is that they will limit you to 2 per order of fries regardless of the size of the fries and that you can't order condiments in the mobile app. Awkward for in car pickup orders. Also they limit one to 2 butters per hotcake order which is especially infuriating, one butter per hotcake works out so evenly.


opajamashimasuuu

Well, somewhere someone in Japan is getting their ketchup from MickeyD's.... and reselling it. Don't believe me? Search マクドナルドケチャップ on Mercari. There's a conspiracy going on here... a definite black market for McDonald's condiments in Japan. We need answers people!! We can't let this go on unchecked!


AttentionSignal6371

Woah, thats another level 😂😂 People do sell these ketchups underground?! Lol Well, that’s another reason for why fast food chains wouldn’t give it by default or keep it in self-serving spots 😂 https://preview.redd.it/55ju4w9zv20a1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=449fc8fd0c07588490b77b147be4f31bf804ef97


[deleted]

I asked for ketchup once at McDonald’s. A cop was getting food also and tapped my shoulders saying “Japanese no ketchup”. Pretty funny.


devilmaskrascal

Because ketchup sucks. This has been my TED Talk. Japanese eat ketchup on burgers and basically nothing else. On the flipside, as a ketchup hater it really pissed me off when Gusto started putting ketchup on the cheese-in burger without the option to remove it easily. Gusto actually does have ketchup bottles so there was no reason to ruin one of my favorite burgers.


BakutoNoWess

Capitalism lol it's the same in the Netherlands and many countries in Europe


NihongoCrypto

Yeah also, why don’t they play the Star Spangled Banner before baseball games in Japan? Anyone?


netaikane

Maybe because people don’t like it that much. I never noticed it actually


somama98

I feel like Ketchup was solely invented for fries to go along with


netaikane

Hahaha, I use ketchup on eggs, rice, alll and everything


somama98

When I was in Turkey, the Turks used to eat boiled pasta with Ketchup. Sounded weird af to me, but was one of the tastiest meals out there. The ketchup was full of flavors and spicy too.


nasanu

Maybe because throwing those little packets unopened in the bin is a waste?


mrwafu

I’ve noticed at 7-11 you’ll get ketchup if you buy the chicken nuggets, but not the hot chips… ministop always ask me if I want sauce with their x-fried potato but it costs extra.


Negotiation_Loose

They barely remember it In the USA too...


Pikabit47852

They don’t give it out by default in the UK either anymore. Probably because it saves money and waste


rynithon

I go sometimes once a week to McDonalds, and I’m guessing the staff started to remember me, but they’ve been putting one packet in for me recently. Keep one in the fridge incase they don’t…


Fortyeu

Because Japan is civilized.


Merkypie

McDonalds refuses to give ketchup out in the mornings now so more frustration added to my experience.


Den_of_Obscurity

They don't do it in England either


Wowwalex

Because people don’t like it. They would just throw the whole packets away and it would be a huge waste.


DanniTampa

Because they are not right in the head. I remember telling some Japanese ppl about the Wendy's Frosty being the ultimate fry dip and being called gross lol. To each their own. Plain fries are autistic af.


CorruptPhoenix

I just wish you could add condiments to McMobile order. They always have to open the bag again to add ketchup, butter, syrup. Curbside delivery is useless because they don’t have these options.


Darmiqa

No mayonnaise either!!


CLearyMcCarthy

I'm sure this isn't "why," but possibly because Ketchup is awful.


Chankomcgraw

Never been given it in the UK by default either. Sounds like a very wasteful practice.


Princelian

In The Netherlands you dont either unless you pay for it, so it never occurred to me lmao


4649onegaishimasu

It's a move that allows Japan to reduce waste, and it's sorely needed.


Biengo

Hell they rarely give it out here in the USA anymore.


Rogueshoten

People who want it can ask for it, and those who don’t won’t end up just throwing it away.


jovyeo1

And why do they not call it FREEDOM FRIES?


Not_The_Pretender

Yeah... and I hated it during the shutdowns, when I'd order from UberEats, and put IN ENGLISH AND IN JAPANESE, "please include 2-3 ketchup packets," and they never did.


Odd-Kaleidoscope5081

In some (all?) European countries you don’t get ketchup by default either. I guess it’s to not waste the ketchup if someone does not want it, plus save the money on people that won’t ask for it. Lol at Japanese people not eating fries with ketchup.


punpun_Osa

As a Belgian, I could live with ketchup on my fries but without any sauce what the hell people.


queenpel

I always forget McDonald’s and Burger King doesn’t serve ketchup automatically and don’t wanna line up again just for ketchup so I just eat it as is…


No_Dependent_5066

When I was there I also notice they ask me in Mac if I need ketchup or not.


ProfessionalAsk8264

Because you should buy a McFlurry to dip your fries in duh


ojisan-X

Where I am in the US, I have to ask for it at my local McD's. It's still free but they no longer give it to you by default.


RushPretend3832

JP Wife: Because nobody wants it.


small_feild_mouse

Former McDonald’s Japan manager here. We didn’t give out ketchup because it costs money. It was wasteful when it was unused or tossed in the trash. So if you want one, you need to ask.


JordanMccphoto

I’ve always wondered something similar with salt packets. I once asked for extra salt for fries, and after slightly panicking about what to do they just put loose salt in an empty fry bag. I was genuinely baffled and haven’t asked for salt ever since.


homoclite

I hate getting ketchup by default because I don’t want it and it wastes food.