One thing that the Japs seem to share is an affinity for all things American. They just
love American food for instance, which to most Americans and others, is basically junk
food. I am not even sure whether there is any such thing as pure American food other
than burgers and maybe hotdogs. Anyway, the fan following is incredible for such food here.
We were at the nearby mall which houses lots of different restaurants - Chinese, Japanese, Indian etc. But the real crowds were at the Burger King outlet in that complex. And this is
not your normal crowd - there was a line of some 300 people stretching all the way from
the cash counter to outside the outlet and continuing. Should have snapped a picture - it
was so damn funny seeing so many people lining up for a burger. Same goes for the Krispy Kreme donut outlets here.
Burger King recently did a 2nd entry into the Japan market. They were here like 5 years
ago, but could not compete with McDonalds (lost the price war) and left Japan. Now they
are trying to make a second coming, which they hope to be successful, unlike last time.
And if the long queues outside their outlet is any indication, I guess they should do just
fine this time around.
I don't understand about getting MAD about anything American. There is nothing wrong except for BurgerKing is happened to be an American company. There is always a hype for non-resident products around the world. American companies do know how to customize the food to suit the locals inspite of not losing the brand name. Examples may include the craze for Pizza (an Italian food) in India by Pizza hut (an American flagship) - customized menu (Vegetarian Pizza) - Yuk I can not imagine. Kurkure with many different indain flavors by Lays (US) is another example. If you give what the customer exactly wants, then you are the market leader. Did you check out for pork burger and squid sauce and eal fry in the burger king in Japan?
ReplyDeleterajesh,
ReplyDeleteIt was just an observation about the local leaning to things American. Observed not only by me, but my true-blue American colleagues, who also found it hilarious that there was a long line outside B.King.
Did I try out stuff in B.King ? Man, you really think I would queue up for a burger, in Japan of all places ? You know the food variety here is amazing - and real good too. You would forget your burgers once you try them out - you should do a trip here, onetime.