McDonald's tastes of spring are...pastrami and peach?

I always find it fun to enjoy seasonal foods in Japan - there's something about things only being around for a limited period of time that adds to their allure. There are certain flavors that just remind me of spring, like strawberry and sakura themed goodies, but there are also some random offerings that get served up too.

We were at McDonalds recently, and I had to chuckle a little when I saw what their "spring themed" menu entailed. Their current burger special incorporates a slice of pastrami on it, and I guess initially I was thinking "why does pastrami somehow capture the essence of this season?". The McDonalds website actually answers that question, and says that the folded pastrami slice is meant to emulate cherry blossom petals. I mean - I guess pastrami is pink in color, but I'd say that's a bit of a stretch!

Nothing says springtime like sakura...and pastrami?

I’m personally not the biggest fan of egg or creamy sauces (the burger comes with egg, a teriyaki sauce, and a creamy mustard-type sauce along with the pastrami, lettuce, and burger patty), so I left the taste testing process for this one to my husband. He is a big pastrami fan and still dreams of hearty pastrami sandwiches at delis in the States, so he was more than happy to oblige!

The presentation of the burger definitely wasn't as aesthetically pleasing as what the in-store posters showed, but hey - that's to be expected for fast food! He was really happy with it, taste wise, but thought that maybe just one sauce would have been better rather than the two. If you're a pastrami fan as well, you may want to pop in and give this one a try before it's off the menu. The burger on its own is priced at 450 yen, or you can get it in a set with fries and your choice of drink for 750 yen.

The McDonalds website says that the folded pastrami is meant to emulate the look of sakura petals. A stretch by the marketing team, perhaps! 

For those who aren't really keen on the seasonal pastrami burger, there is also a seasonal drink on the McDonalds menu - the white peach McFizz. Again, I was a little lost as to how this encompasses the feeling of spring (I always look at peaches as a summer thing in Japan), but since they're one of my favorite fruit flavors I wasn't going to argue the point! The drink contains 1% peach juice which is sourced from Iwate Prefecture. I honestly loved this, and it reminded me a little of a non-alcoholic version of a peach chu-hai. It had a really refreshing taste and I think it would be perfect on a warm day - I wish they'd have this on the summer menu! As for the price, the white peach McFizz will set you back 250 yen.

If the burger isn't your thing, the white peach McFizz is refreshing and tasty!

I know McDonalds isn’t everyone’s preferred seasonal eat, especially for the traditionalists out there - but for us it’s a fun guilty pleasure to indulge in from time to time. If you're a fan of pastrami or peach flavors, head in and enjoy this somewhat random mish-mash of "spring" while you can.