It’s probably just as well we can’t travel right now.
Ah, Japan. Home to many mouth-watering dishes. Sushi, ramen, tempura, and, erm, southern fried chicken?
As it turns out, Colonel Sanders’ finger-licking chicken has become a bit of a culinary sensation in Japan.
Over the last few years, KFC has launched a number of all-you-can-eat buffets in Tokyo and Osaka.
Lucky diners can gorge themselves on the KFC buffet, which features over 50 dishes. As well as the staple thighs, fries and popcorn chicken, Japanese customers are also welcome to try a number of curry dishes, soups and deserts.
If we weren’t jealous enough already, the buffet is surprisingly affordable. Adults pay 1,980 yen – about €15 – to eat as much as they like at lunchtime. At 2,580 yen – or €20 – dinner is a little more expensive.
Not too bad when you consider that most of the one-person meal deals here will set you back about €12.
Children can eat at a lower price at the KFC buffet – €7.50 for lunch, and €9.80 for dinner. Additionally, children under three eat for free.
As much as we’d like to sit around and eat KFC all day, there is, unfortunately, a time limit of 80 minutes per sitting. However, I believe with the right attitude and an empty stomach, you could definitely get your money’s worth in that time.
While Japan might seem like an unlikely home for a KFC buffet, it’s worth noting that the Colonel’s chicken enjoys a strong marketing history with the east Asian country.
For instance, many Japanese people celebrate Christmas with a bucket of fried chicken. In fact, long queues form outside KFC restaurants in December, and an estimated 3.6 million families enjoy the chicken during the holiday season.
This “tradition” dates back to 1974, when KFC Japan launched a hugely successful marketing campaign called Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii, or Kentucky for Christmas.
