Discover out if the brand new launch is nothing greater than over-hyped advertising.
Again within the day, the Japanese custom of “tsukimi” (“moon-viewing“) in early autumn was once a comparatively quiet affair, with folks shopping for tsukimi dango (“moon-viewing dumplings“) to take pleasure in whereas gazing on the night time sky. As of late, the custom has undergone a metamorphosis, changing into synonymous with limited-edition choices at quick meals chains, which generally characteristic egg because the star ingredient, because of the truth that “tsukimi” is shorthand for dishes containing egg within the culinary world, as the spherical egg yolk is alleged to resemble the moon.
▼ Right now of 12 months, you’ll discover chains serving up tsukimi burgers and even pizzas, just like the one from Domino’s under.
The chain that began all of it was McDonald’s, which launched the nation’s first Tsukimi Burger again in 1991, and since then it’s been sustaining its repute as some of the well-liked locations to purchase moon-viewing burgers, in addition to new Tsukimi pies and McShakes. Nevertheless, because the chain with the longest historical past of constructing Tsukimi Burgers, is McDonald’s now resting on its laurels?
That’s the query our reporter P.Okay. Sanjun had in his thoughts when he noticed the burger return to the menu for the umpteenth time, as a result of currently he’s been having fun with a distinct egg burger that’s on the menu year-round — the Egg Cheeseburger.
▼ Generally shortened to “Eguchi“, this burger debuted in 2015 on the tremendous low-cost worth of 200 yen (US$1.40), and although it’s now 240 yen, it’s nonetheless a great-value burger.
With the brand new Tsukimi Burger on the menu for 490 yen, it’s over twice as costly because the Eguchi, however does this imply it’s price the additional cash? P.Okay., who’s been cautious of the quick meals tsukimi craze for some time now, purchased considered one of every to seek out out.
In the case of style, it’s troublesome to definitively say which one is tastier as a result of folks have completely different tastes. So, to supply a extra goal comparability between the 2, P.Okay. determined to judge them based mostly on pure content material, beginning with the burden.
▼ Weight of the Tsukimi Burger: 151 grams (5.3 ounces)
▼ Weight of the Eguchi: 166 grams (5.9 ounces)
Surprisingly, the Eguchi was barely heavier, which already makes it higher worth by way of weight. Nevertheless, it was time to see how they stacked up subsequent to one another by way of precise elements, so he stripped them again to their core elements, with the Tsukimi Burger on the left and the Eguchi on the fitting.
▼ The buns of the Tsukimi Burger include sesame seeds, whereas the Eguchi buns don’t. As for the sauce, the Tsukimi Burger comprises a creamy tomato selection whereas the Eguchi makes use of ketchup.
When it comes to buns and sauce, P.Okay. noticed that the Tsukimi Burger contained pricier elements, with the addition of sesame seeds and a creamy sauce that doubtless price extra to develop. Nevertheless, in the case of patties, they have been precisely the identical.
As for the fried egg, this too gave the impression to be the identical. There could also be a risk that greater high quality eggs are used for the Tsukimi Burger, however with no point out of it in any of the promoting for it, P.Okay. assumes the eggs are not any completely different.
The one different large distinction is the Tsukimi Burger comprises bacon, whereas the Eguchi has cheese, pickles and onions. That makes it barely onerous to check by way of price, however bacon is mostly a dearer ingredient, so this spherical goes to the Tsukimi Burger.
With the Tsukimi Burger successful two rounds out of 5 and tying for 2, it’s not such a clear-cut win, particularly when there’s 250 yen distinction between the 2 burgers.
▼ For P.Okay., this consequence solely highlights the incredible cost-performance of his beloved Eguchi.
If sesame seeds, bacon, a creamy sauce, and the advertising story of tsukimi is price 250 yen to you, then by all means, go forward and check out the brand new Tsukimi Burger. Nevertheless, if you wish to create your individual moon-viewing story on a budget, then the Eguchi will fulfil all of your wants…plus provide you with extra money to spend on the opposite tsukimi gadgets on this 12 months’s assortment.
Photographs © SoraNews24
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