During my business trip, I visited a Wendy's for breakfast, which is not common in my hometown. I ordered the Bacon Egg Burger set. It was a lovely and appealing burger with well-toasted buns, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a fried egg. It was a filling and delicious breakfast burger. The fries were not the usual straight type but round hashed potatoes, which were also quite tasty.

Good Price Set ¥600 Fried Potato, Drink Jr Bacon Cheeseburger I've been eating gourmet burgers lately, so I felt the patty was a bit lacking... but it had that familiar taste. This time I didn't bother to put it away, but the fries here are better when they're crispy.

Wendy's First Kitchen in Ikebukuro. It is located near Ikebukuro Chinatown. During my visit, they were collaborating with the virtual YouTuber group Nijisanji. They also had collaborations at their Shibuya, Yokohama, and Umeda Osaka locations. You can use self-checkout to place your order. Even if you're shy and feel embarrassed ordering a collaboration food item, you don't have to worry. When I visited, the collaboration was coming to an end, so popular items like the Acrylic Stands were sold out. Character stand panels were displayed at the entrance and on the 2nd floor. The store had 3 floors, but the 3rd floor, which had a smoking area, did not have any collaboration items. I tried the Bacon Double Cheeseburger and the Strawberry Ginger Float. The collaboration items can only be ordered individually, so they are a bit more expensive compared to the regular menu. The Bacon Cheeseburger had a standard taste and was easy to eat. The Strawberry Ginger Float was rich and delicious, but I couldn't taste much of the ginger flavor.

Cheeseburger set (500 yen) with an extra patty (90 yen) can be enjoyed at a discount with a coupon. I like First Kitchen because they have a variety of sauces for the fries, but unfortunately, the sauce bar has been discontinued. I really like the tartar sauce that comes with the cheeseburger.

First Kitchen offers easy-to-eat shaved ice. I tried the Blue Hawaii Mango and Strawberry flavors. They also had three types of shaved ice with jelly-like toppings. Unfortunately, there was no soft serve ice cream included. It was a shame that there were no shiratama balls included.

Sunday, August 9th... It had been a while since I had to go to Saitama for some errands... Today was the day for that... It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes one way, so going on a hot summer day seemed a bit daunting and tiring (^_^;) Being on the train for a long time makes you cold, and it's hot outside... Even if you take precautions, the temperature difference is no joke (ŏ﹏ŏ) But I had to go, so if I'm going anyway, why not find something to look forward to on the trip? By chance, a few days ago, I found out that Wendy's was selling a special 5th-anniversary one-coin burger set for only 8 days, and it was still available... So, I decided to stop by and get it as my breakfast and lunch for the day (*´艸｀*) I went to Wendy's at Ikebukuro North Exit, as it was still within the promotional period and I could stop by on my way. It was hot outside, so I also wanted a cold drink as part of the set (≧▽≦)b✨ I took a photo of the exterior and the one-coin burger set I planned to buy, then entered the restaurant... It was just about 10 o'clock when I tried to place my order at the counter... But I was told to order through the self-ordering machine... The machine was still showing the morning menu, even though it was already past 10 o'clock (^_^;) I was a bit annoyed by the loose handling of time at this store... I asked the staff, and they said the machine switches menus at the exact time but seemed to be a few minutes off... Come on, fix it (^_^;) The store seemed a bit too relaxed about time... I was in a hurry and didn't have time to relax... Later, an older man who seemed to have the same purpose as me also arrived... We were both trying to figure out who would go first at the machine... I managed to go first, but then the machine was still showing the morning menu... The older man got ahead of me... "We are preparing orders in order," they said... More time lost (ーー;) What are they doing?! This store is too laid back about time... (｡ŏ﹏ŏ) After that, I rushed to catch my train and managed to make it in time, barely ( ´Д｀)=3 I wasn't in the mood to eat the burger right away because of the heat... I just wanted to drink something cold while waiting on the train platform and nibble on the shaka-potato I received... Since there is no Wendy's near my house, I was surprised that I could buy it this time (*´艸｀*)✨ The normal fries are sometimes too oily and too much for me to finish, but the shaka-potato, which was already seasoned, was a flavor I liked, so I enjoyed it while sipping on my coffee... When I got home, I ate the burger in the comfort of my air-conditioned room (*´艸｀*) In the past, I used to dislike tomatoes and always ordered my burgers without them... But now, I like vegetables, so I included the tomatoes this time... The USA burger was a decent size, with a beef patty and vegetables, so it wasn't too heavy (〃∇〃)✨ It was a good deal to get the main burger with shaka-potato and a drink for one coin... They were quite generous with the free shaka-potato options, and the drink selection was good too... The cold drink was perfect for the hot summer weather (*´艸｀*)（笑）Overall, I was quite satisfied with the meal... It's a bit of a downside that they didn't fix the time discrepancy on the machine and that the menu options were a bit confusing... But, the set was a good value and enjoyable (≧∇≦)b✨

Today I had some errands to run, so I opted for takeout. I chose it because of the limited-time discount, which was quite a deal! The portion was heavier than it looked, with a meat patty that was more like a patty than a hamburger. The buns were delicious too. I made a mistake by toasting it too much in the toaster for takeout, but it was still a tasty burger and fries. The regular price may give you pause, but at this price, it's definitely worth a try - 1000% recommended!

I went to Wendy's First Kitchen at Ikebukuro North Exit. It's a chain restaurant but not that common. I ordered the Baconator US Double for 850 yen and the Box Potato with butter flavor for 500 yen. 850 yen is quite expensive for a chain restaurant. It looks smaller than in the pictures, but it actually has a good amount of food. It feels very meaty as there are no vegetables. Not bad at all. The Box Potato is double the size of a large, so it's very filling.

Wendy's burgers and Chili L Chili Cheese Potato set are a must-try when in Tokyo! Great memories with my daughter, always leaving us satisfied. It's a shame they're not in Nagano. The restaurant has a smoking room on the 3rd floor, perfect for smokers like me.

When it comes to fast food curry menus, it seems that in recent years it has become established to have limited-time offerings in the summer. However, in the winter of 2019, curry has appeared as a winter menu. I noticed that First Kitchen has a Butter Chicken Curry in their stone oven soup bread series and decided to try it. The Butter Chicken Curry is similar to the typical Indian-Nepalese type, close to the image of butter chicken that many Japanese people would imagine, and it is a taste that can be eaten with peace of mind. You can also faintly smell the fragrance of Kasuri Methi, which tickles the hearts of enthusiasts. And surprisingly, the bread that serves as the vessel is also delicious. Not only can you order the type with bread, but you can also order just the soup itself, in other words, just the curry. This means you can eat curry with a burger. Fantastic! This is a menu that I am likely to repeat this winter.

Ikebukuro Station North Exit is a 2-3 minute walk away. It is located right in front of the entrance to Nishi Ichiban Street Central Street. The price and calorie content seemed just right, and most importantly, it looked delicious, so I ordered the Honey Mustard Chicken Burger for ¥470. I also got a small size Charcoal Ice Coffee for my drink. Although the regular price for the ice coffee is ¥270, I added it to a drink set for an additional ¥200, totaling ¥670. It wasn't too crowded, so I got my food quickly. There are no seats on the first floor, so I went up the stairs to the second and third floors. The design of the staircase was surprisingly stylish. The second floor was quite full, so I moved to the third floor and sat at a table in the corner. The smoking area took up about half of the space in the back, while the non-smoking area in the front was small, seating around 10 people. The interior was mainly white with bright wooden walls and tables, creating a simple and calming atmosphere. It was quite clean and even the girls who came later were impressed by how nice it looked. There are power outlets on the long tables, but it was a bit cold sitting there because the air conditioning was quite strong. The customers were mostly business people taking a break between work, with some working on their laptops. There were also young people and some older individuals chatting, but it was surprisingly quiet. The coffee tasted like something you'd get at a chain store, and the small size meant it was a bit diluted with ice. The burger was smaller than I expected from the photos, but it was tasty. The honey mustard sauce was sweet and savory, and the chicken was slightly small but still good. The tomato and lettuce added some flavor, but I couldn't really taste the cheese this time. It was surprisingly filling and didn't leave me feeling too heavy, but I still felt like something was missing. The taste was more refined compared to McDonald's, which I liked, but then again, burgers aren't exactly healthy in the first place. When you want something hearty and unhealthy, you'd probably go to McDonald's instead of choosing this place. I also received a coupon at the register for a discounted Bacon Egg Burger set starting next month. There were stylish potted plants decorating the landing of the stairs to the third floor. The attention to detail in the decor was quite fashionable. Overall, it was a chic and pleasant fast food restaurant.

Sometimes when you eat it, it's delicious. ~ Special guest: Ishikawa Buta Ki beef's blend and flavor from the charred surface. I think this kind of American junk burger is delicious occasionally. My lifetime burger chain ranking is probably 80% Mos Burger, 5% Burger King, followed by Lotteria, Wendy's, Dom Dom, and others. I have never been a fan of McDonald's. Now, this restaurant is located on Mizuki Street in Ikebukuro West Exit. It used to be a shoe store, I believe. It is a location like a station front, with shops like Sanyodo, a hat store, and a men's clothing store lined up next to it, with many fashion-related stores. It was later converted into First Kitchen and then changed to the current restaurant. It may seem trivial, but the name of the store is difficult to write. In English, it is "Wendy's First Kitchen" with Wendy's first, but in Japanese, is it "First Kitchen Wendy's"? The official website lists First Kitchen first. Is it like Sumitomo being listed first in the abbreviated form of Mitsui Sumitomo Bank as SMBC? I used takeout. Therefore, I did not choose a drink set. "Wendy's Burger USA (single)" (550 yen) - As shown in the photo. The atmosphere of this burger is reminiscent of Burger King. It has a good American junk food vibe. Despite being a beef processed product, it shows a meaty texture well, combined with the charred atmosphere of the grill, giving it a hearty feel. The sauce, similar to Kewpie's Southern Island dressing, harmonizes with lettuce, tomato, and others. "Spicy Chicken Filet Burger" (470 yen) - As shown in the photo. Really spicy. Or rather, slightly hot. I think it would be impossible for elementary school students to handle this level of spiciness. The chicken filet has a crispy coating that is soft despite being packed. The taste is mostly the spicy flavor of the coating. "Chicken Nuggets" (310 yen) - As shown in the photo. I just heard recently that the nuggets at this store are tastier than anywhere else, so I couldn't resist. I chose barbecue sauce. It is indeed soft and retains a slightly fatty taste of the meat. However, upon further thought, I realized that I don't remember the taste of chicken nuggets from other stores, so I personally have no basis for comparison, but I would dare say that it leans more towards Kentucky Fried Chicken. Thank you for the meal. I used to be able to easily eat about three hamburgers, but with the passage of time, I can only handle two and some nuggets, which gives me a heavy feeling in my chest. Maybe Sei, who is not used to this kind of junk food, also feels the same. It must be a lot of calories... Here, making a long-awaited appearance. Ishikawa Butaboku. (laughs) No matter how much I walk, my stomach still protrudes, and I stare at my belly. (Ishikawa Buta Ki) (By Kyonatsu Shuusora, 2019.6.5) (15 reviews/3.04)

On this day, I had breakfast in Ikebukuro. I was looking for a breakfast place that I hadn't been to before. This place is located slightly north of Ikebukuro Station on the west side, right next to the police box. I had noticed it when I visited the neighboring Shinpachi Shokudo before. The building is 3 floors high. The 1st floor has the cashier and kitchen, with only 5 seats for customers. The 2nd floor has a non-smoking section with around 40 seats. The restroom is for women only. The 3rd floor has a non-smoking section with 16 seats, and more than half of the floor is a completely separated smoking section with around 18 seats. The restroom is unisex. The large tables and counter seats are equipped with power outlets. However, it's a shame that there is no Wi-Fi. - Morning Sandwich (BLT Egg) Set: ¥480 (tax included) - Morning Sandwich (BLT Egg): ¥320 (tax included) The sandwich was fluffy but lacked a main component. The taste was good, but it felt like something was missing. - Hash Brown Potato: ¥140 (tax included) A large hash brown potato. - Hot Coffee (Ethiopia Mocha 100%): ¥250 (tax included) The price for the morning set can go over ¥500, so it might be slightly expensive. Visit Date: March 13, 2019

**Visit on January 25, 2019** - Wendy's Burger: 490 yen - Flavored Potato M Set: 390 yen * Includes French fries and Oolong tea Wendy's Japan Co., Ltd. and First Kitchen Co., Ltd. have a double brand called "Wendy's First Kitchen." They acquired First Kitchen in 2016 and have expanded to 30 stores by last year. Wendy's Burger is the most popular menu item, featuring a double cheeseburger with a large patty, lettuce, tomato, and a juicy, thick meat. The French fries are similar to McDonald's. It's a good option for a quick and easy meal.

When you come out of the north exit of Ikebukuro Station, there are three roads that split in different directions. If you take the left road towards Marui, you will find that the previous First Kitchen, which had temporarily closed, has now reopened with a new name – "Wendy's First Kitchen" on December 22nd. I noticed that they serve beer (Suntory Premium Malt's can) on their menu outside, and since I like pairing burgers with beer, I decided to have a drink before heading in. I ended up having a lunchtime drink again! Since it's a fast-food restaurant, you order at the counter, pay, and then carry your food to your table – a straightforward system. The store has three floors: the first floor is for sales, the second floor is non-smoking, and the third floor is smoking and non-smoking. The menu recommended the Brioche Bistro Beef Stew Burger for winter, which was the most expensive item at ¥860. I also ordered a "S" size French fries for ¥220 and a 350ml can of Suntory Premium Malt for ¥390, bringing the total to ¥1470. The food was prepared quickly, so I wondered if it was freshly made. The burger, with its long name displayed outside, looked enticing in the photo, but when I unwrapped it, it looked a bit underwhelming, perhaps due to the tight wrapping. Nevertheless, the taste was good – the juicy patty and the sweet brioche bun created an interesting contrast, and the beef stew on top with cheddar cheese added depth to the flavor. It paired well with beer! Burgers and beer are indeed a great combination. I wish other chains like McDonald's, Mos Burger, and Burger King would offer beer too. The French fries were similar to those at other burger chains, but they were less salty, which could be healthier but I personally prefer a bit more salt. Overall, I found that enjoying a simple, affordable burger with beer was the best choice at this place.

Strongly roasted hojicha shaved ice. Topped with big shiratama and plenty of red beans (^-^)

I went to Sunshine Street in Ikebukuro and drank iced tea.

Similar to Wendy's in Ueno, this place also has power outlets available. The fact that it is completely smoke-free is a plus. It's a 3-story building, so it may be a bit of a climb up the stairs, but since only those who make the effort to climb up are there, the third floor is usually empty. Around 10 am during Golden Week, the Starbucks near the west exit was crowded, but this place was almost empty. Perfect for working on a laptop. They had tapioca drinks, but I played it safe with a hot cafe latte (tax included 290 yen). The quiet environment helped me make progress in helping my friend with their work.