From July 22 to September 1, 2026, McDonald’s Japan is running a Pokémon 30th Anniversary campaign it calls the “Pokémon Summer Mac.” Three new burgers arrive in collectible packaging drawn with the original starter Pokémon — Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle — with singles from ¥580 and value sets from ¥880. I picked up two of the three on a rainy afternoon drive, so here is what is actually on the menu, what it costs, and an honest verdict on how they taste — plus why the wrappers alone might be reason enough for Pokémon fans.
| Campaign | Pokémon 30th Anniversary Burgers (“Pokémon Summer Mac”) |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 22 – September 1, 2026 (while supplies last) |
| Price | Singles from ¥580; value sets from ¥880 (tax incl.) |
| Hours | 10:30 to closing (until 4:00 at 24-hour stores) |
| Where | McDonald’s restaurants across Japan |
| New burgers | Tartar Demi Thick Beef / Juicy Chicken Spicy Garlic / Roasted Sesame Tartar Shrimp |
| Packaging | Starter-Pokémon wrappers (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle); the morning menu uses Pikachu |
What is McDonald’s Pokémon 30th “Summer Mac”?
It is a limited-time campaign marking Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, with eight items in total launching on July 22, 2026. The three headline burgers are the draw for most people, but the real star is the packaging: each burger comes wrapped in art of one of the first-generation starter Pokémon, and the breakfast item uses Pikachu. If you are already planning a trip, it slots neatly into the summer window — see our guide to what is happening in Japan in August 2026.
The three new Pokémon burgers (and prices)
- Tartar Demi Thick Beef (タルタルデミ肉厚ビーフ) — a thick beef patty with demi-glace sauce, tartar, cheese and lettuce.
- Juicy Chicken Spicy Garlic (ジューシーチキン 旨辛ガーリック) — a chicken patty with a spicy garlic flavour. I did not try this one.
- Roasted Sesame Tartar Shrimp (焙煎ごまタルタルシュリンプ) — a shrimp cutlet with a roasted-sesame tartar, cheese and lettuce.
Singles are priced from ¥580 and value sets from ¥880. As always in Japan, the exact figure can shift a little by store and whether you eat in or take away.
Which Pokémon burger is best? My honest taste test
I tried two of the three — the shrimp and the beef — and they were not close. The Roasted Sesame Tartar Shrimp was the one I would order again.
The shrimp cutlet stayed crisp, and the sesame tartar was laid on properly — nutty, a little rich, and enough of it to carry every bite. It is a familiar McDonald’s-Japan flavour done well, and the balance was right.
The Tartar Demi Thick Beef was the letdown. The patty is genuinely thick, but the tartar was sparse, so the burger leaned almost entirely on the demi-glace and came across one-note. It was fine, not bad — but for a limited-edition burger I found it distinctly underwhelming.
So if you are only buying one for the food: the shrimp. I cannot speak for the Juicy Chicken Spicy Garlic, which I did not order.
The real draw: the collectible Pokémon wrappers
Let me be honest — the burgers themselves are standard fast food, and the campaign’s charm is the packaging. The starter-trio wrappers are genuinely nice to look at: my shrimp came in a Squirtle wrapper and the beef in a Bulbasaur one, both cleanly drawn in soft colours. For a Pokémon fan, or anyone who likes Japan’s knack for character goods, the wrapper is half the point. If that is your thing, our look at BEAMS Japan in Shinjuku is a good next stop for Japanese design and collaborations.
How much are they, and how do I order? (for visitors)
The burgers are on the regular menu from 10:30 to closing at McDonald’s across Japan — singles from ¥580, value sets from ¥880. You can point at the photo menu, use the self-order kiosk (it has English), or order in the McDonald’s Japan app.
Payment is easy: cash works everywhere, and most stores take IC cards (Suica/PASMO), credit cards and QR payments. If you are weighing how to pay during your trip, see our guide to cash versus card in Japan in 2026.
Tips for travellers from Southeast Asia and beyond
- It is a Japan-exclusive. These burgers and wrappers are not sold at McDonald’s in Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta or anywhere else — only in Japan, only until September 1.
- Halal: McDonald’s Japan does not offer halal-certified food, so if that matters to you, plan accordingly. The shrimp and chicken are alternatives to beef, but they share the same kitchen.
- Vegetarian: all three burgers contain meat or seafood; there is no vegetarian option in this lineup.
FAQ
When does the McDonald’s Pokémon campaign end?
The Pokémon 30th Anniversary burgers run from July 22 to September 1, 2026, while supplies last. Popular items can sell out earlier at busy stores.
How much are the Pokémon burgers?
Singles start at ¥580 and value sets (burger, fries and a drink) start at ¥880, tax included. Exact prices vary a little by store and by dine-in versus takeaway.
Which Pokémon burger is the best?
Of the two I tried, the Roasted Sesame Tartar Shrimp was clearly the better one — crisp shrimp and a generous, nutty sesame tartar. The Tartar Demi Thick Beef was underwhelming because the tartar was sparse.
Are they available all day?
They are on the regular menu from 10:30 to closing, not on the breakfast menu. The morning menu has its own Pokémon item (a sausage muffin) in Pikachu packaging.
Can I collect all the Pokémon wrappers?
The wrapper you receive depends on the item and the store, so a full set is not guaranteed — it is pot luck, which is part of the fun.
Is this Pokémon McDonald’s campaign only in Japan?
Yes. It is a Japan-only campaign, so it is a genuine Japan-exclusive if you are visiting.
Are the burgers halal or vegetarian?
No. McDonald’s Japan does not offer halal-certified items, and all three of these burgers contain meat or seafood, so there is no vegetarian option in this lineup.
The verdict
Worth it — with a caveat. Buy the Roasted Sesame Tartar Shrimp for the food and the wrapper for the fun; skip the Tartar Demi Thick Beef unless you are collecting all three. The whole thing ends on September 1, 2026, so if a cute Squirtle or Bulbasaur wrapper would make your day, do not leave it to the last week.
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