You might wonder why I chose to visit Shake Shack while in Japan. The simple answer is that Shake Shack isn’t available in New Zealand, and I wanted something different—something non-Japanese—for a change.

This particular Shake Shack is located inside a department store, though it also has direct access from the outside. I opted to order at the self-service kiosk to avoid potential staff misunderstandings and make the process quicker.

I decided on a Shack Stack burger; Stack the Shack classics with our Shack Stack Cheeseburger topped with a ‘Shroom Burger with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce. On the side, I ordered cheesy fries, a 50/50 drink, and the black-and-white frozen custard for dessert.

The food arrived promptly and was beautifully presented, looking fresh and appetising. I started with the cheesy fries and was immediately impressed. The crinkle-cut fries were perfectly crispy and fresh, topped with classic American cheese sauce that complemented them well.

Next, I turned to my burger, which looked just as good as it tasted. I must credit the staff—the burger was presented so well, with all the ingredients piled generously and everything looking incredibly fresh. I also added onions to my burger, which was a great choice. The first bite was challenging because the burger was massive but worth it. This was my first time trying the cheeseburger with the addition of the portobello mushroom, as I usually order the mushroom burger at Shake Shack. However, the beef patty and the mushroom and cheese worked together perfectly. Every bite was flavorful, fresh, and well-cooked.

To accompany my meal, I had the 50/50 drink, which balanced the sweetness of lemonade with the bitterness of iced tea—a refreshing combination. For dessert, I enjoyed the black-and-white frozen custard, a mix of chocolate and vanilla, which was a delicious way to end the meal.

Overall, I was impressed with Shake Shack in Japan. The quality was excellent, the presentation was top-notch, and everything tasted great. I always make a point to visit Shake Shack if there’s one in a city I’m travelling to, and this location didn’t disappoint. That said, I was slightly disappointed they didn’t offer a special frozen custard unique to the area, which I had hoped for. But all in all, it was a satisfying visit to Shake Shack.

Website: Shake Shack

Address: 1 Chome-13-13 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan