Tessa Newell

You know what they say: what happens in Japan, stays in Japan. At least as far as food goes. Japan is essentially the testing ground for so many fast food marvels that the rest of the world never gets to experience. The Japanese chain of McDonald’s shocked the world recently by coming out with the Mega-Potato, which broke the record for the highest calorie count in the restaurant’s history.

So what other little treasures are the fast food chains of Japan keeping from us? You can get a pretty good idea from these 12 epic menu items only found in Japan.

Pizza Hut’s Bacon Wrapped Sausage Crust Mini Hamburger Pizza

Photo: Maxim

This Pizza Hut invention is exactly how it sounds. Little hot dogs wrapped first in bacon and then wrapped in pizza crust line the outside of this mega-pizza. And what is the pizza topped with? As if the crust wasn’t enough, the pizza itself is covered in mini-hamburgers, onions, and peppers. My only issue is why someone in America hasn’t thought of this yet.

Starbuck’s Coffee Jelly Frappuccino

Photo: Eater

This takes one of the greatest Japanese tea toppings and mixes it with a Starbucks classic. This coffee concoction is made with coffee jelly, some cafe au lait, and then topped with whipped cream. This one of the most perfect fusion frappuccinos out there.

McDonald’s Cheese Katsu Burger

Photo: Thrillist

McDonald’s had to make an appearance sooner or later. This Cheese Katsu Burger contains a deep fried pork cutlet stuffed with cheese, topped with savory cabbage, and dripping with sweet and sour sauce. Excuse me, but this sounds divine.

Jef’s Goya Burger

Photo: Earthhopper

If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of Jef’s before, that’s because it’s a fast food chain based in Okinawa, Japan, with only 5 locations around the island. They famously serve traditional Okinawan cuisine, like their popular specialty, the Goya Burger. Goya is a bitter melon used regularly in Japanese food, but generally not like this. The Goya burger is fried, covered in cheese, and then stuck between two buns like a regular burger. But don’t forget, it’s a sour-tasting melon – which makes it a great complement to the richness of the rest of the burger.

Can’t get enough Goya? Don’t worry, Jef’s makes Goya rings and Goya fries to accompany your burger.

Wendy’s Surf and Turf Burger

Photo: Gawker

In Japan, most Wendy’s will serve this outrageously expensive fast food item, the Surf and Turf Burger. This new “premium” Wendy’s item is a regular beef patty topped with lobster, lettuce, tomato, and onion that costs a whopping $16. While I wouldn’t normally go to Wendy’s for a burger that expensive, the lobster makes it worth it.

Napoli’s Panda Burger

Photo: The Huffington Post

This cheeseburger is very confused, but sounds amazing. Napoli’s is a type of Japanese Italian restaurant (which I cannot wrap my head around, for some reason) and serves these adorable little burgers. The Panda Burger thankfully doesn’t have panda in it, but two cute pandas are stamped into the top of the burger, which contains a regular patty, cheese… and spaghetti and meatballs. Because it’s Italian themed. Fascinating.

McDonald’s Double Tomago

Photo: Viralscape

Ever wish you could have McDonald’s breakfast AND lunch at the same time? Well, you can if you’re in Japan. The Double Tomago is essentially a double Big Mac stuffed with bacon and a fried egg. You had me at “double Big Mac.”

Burger King’s Meat Monster Burger

Photo: Japan Today

They are not using the word “monster” lightly here. This thing is massive, like heart-attack-on-a-bun massive. The Meat Monster has two beef patties, a large chicken breast, two slices of cheese, a heap of bacon and your regular fixings. You would never be hungry again after eating one of these.

McDonald’s Ebi Filet-O

Photo: Travelling McD’s 

The regular Filet o’ Fish gets a little bit of a twist. With a fried shrimp patty, lettuce, and thousand island dressing on an onion bun, I must confess, I’m interested. Thousand island dressing is definitely underused in the fast food world, so props to Japan for their dressing innovation.

Burger King’s NY Pizza Burger

Photo: Salon

Oh, so it’s a burger with sauce and pizza toppings inside? Close, but this is even better. This is actually a 9 ½ inch sesame seed bun loaded with an extra-large beef patty, pepperoni, mozzarella, and flattened a bit to resemble a pizza. The cross-over the world never knew it needed.

Wendy’s Foie Gras Burger

Photo: Pinterest

Another $16 luxury burger from Wendy’s. Come on, guys. This burger takes it to a new level. A regular patty with all your normal toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, and duck liver. Yes, fatty slabs of duck liver on your Wendy’s burger. Entirely normal. Nothing to see here people, move along.

Honestly, all of these items are truly epic, luxurious, and sound downright tasty. The big question here is why this isn’t available to the rest of the world. I mean, Americans would love basically all of these creations! Cmon fast food chains, bring these to America and satisfy all of our gluttonous desires. Thanks in advance.