Why is it that fast food chains like McDonalds, KFC doesn’t provide ketchup by default in Japan?

Any thoughts on this..? đź’­
Is there a reason for this?

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

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

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

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