Mos Burger's Tsukimi items launch on September 9th. This year, the "Tsukimi Focaccia" has changed a bit!

Greetings, I'm Nabeko from ASCII Gourmet. September has arrived, and Tsukimi (moon-viewing) gourmet items, including Tsukimi Burgers, are popping up everywhere. It's gotten to the point where I feel the change of season not by the weather, but by the appearance of "Tsukimi products" (laughs).

Starting September 9th, Mos Burger will release this year's "Tsukimi Focaccia."

Mos Burger, a Japanese-born burger chain, first launched its Tsukimi products in 2022. This was quite late compared to competitors like McDonald's, which has offered its "Tsukimi Burger" since 1991.

The "Tsukimi Focaccia" combines a soft-boiled style egg with a horseshoe-shaped sausage and focaccia bread. Despite being a burger chain, the deliberate choice not to call it a "burger" showcased Mos Burger's spirit of "not getting buried among other companies."

When it first appeared in 2022, it sold 800,000 units in just 8 days, becoming so popular that sales were temporarily suspended. Since then, it has appeared every year, establishing itself as a staple autumn item for Mos Burger.

This Year's "Tsukimi Focaccia" Changes Direction: What's the Reason for the Renewal?

This year marks the fifth year for the "Tsukimi Focaccia." This time, the atmosphere is a little different.

This year, it's the "Tsukimi Focaccia ~Ogon (Golden) Cheese Sauce~"

This year, it's the "Tsukimi Focaccia ~Ogon (Golden) Cheese Sauce~" (630 yen à la carte). It uses a new sauce inspired by the "golden" glow of the moon. The "Ogon Cheese Sauce" blends Parmesan and cheddar cheeses with an accent of black pepper.

The 2025 "Tsukimi Focaccia." It used the original barbecue sauce. Wait, has it changed a lot?

Hold on, the "Tsukimi Focaccia" has always used barbecue sauce since its debut, but this time it's completely new.

I briefly thought, "Is this a revamp?" but I remember it being very delicious even last year. Why did they intentionally change the classic flavor? I asked at a press conference held before the launch, and the answer was surprising!

Mr. Kazutoshi Okubo, Manager of the Product Development Department, Product Division, Mos Food Services

According to Mr. Okubo, Manager of Mos Burger's Product Development Department, the "Tsukimi Focaccia" until last year was well-received. In fact, he said that the creators wanted to change it precisely because it was popular. There weren't any specific requests from customers to "change the flavor."

It's a bit of an interesting story, but the development team also wanted to "confirm what customers were attracted to – the focaccia, the sausage, or the sauce" precisely because of its popularity. So, this year, they decided from the start to "change the sauce" and began development.

The sauce was intentionally renewed precisely because it was popular.

Regarding the adoption of cheese sauce, the aim was to make it easier for children to eat by incorporating cheese, which is popular with kids, and to allow a wider range of people to enjoy it.

Tasting it... Ah! Carbonara!

Oh, so it's a new sauce for a challenge, not resting on the laurels of its past popularity. I got to try it ahead of time at the press conference.

As I bit into the firm, crisp horseshoe-shaped sausage, I found the soft-boiled style egg and rich cheese sauce in the center.

Under the sauce are cabbage and sliced onions.

The overflowing creaminess of the egg and the rich richness of the cheese intertwine with the smoky sausage, spreading a creamy, "Western-style" deliciousness. A hint of black pepper adds a kick.

Just as I thought, "I've tasted this feeling somewhere before," Manager Okubo said, "This combination tastes like carbonara in your mouth." Exactly! Indeed, the richness of the egg and the sauce blend in your mouth, creating a rich, carbonara-like flavor.

So rich! The richness of the egg and cheese combine!

The focaccia's elastic texture holds the sauce well, and not only shredded cabbage but also a little chopped onion is added to prevent it from becoming too heavy.

While the atmosphere is different from last year's barbecue sauce, this one is also creamy and highly perfected. Visually, the yellow cheese sauce also enhances the "Tsukimi" (moon-viewing) element. It's like a hazy moonlit night (laughs).

The "Tsukimi Focaccia" has taken a new direction in its fifth year. Even if you've eaten it every year until now, it's worth trying this new flavor.

This is the "Ogon Cheese Sauce Focaccia."

The "Ogon Cheese Sauce Focaccia" (560 yen), which does not contain the soft-boiled style egg, is also available.

Menchi Burger and More Also Appear! The Popular Osatsu Ball Returns

The "Menchi Katsu Cheese Burger ~Demi-Glace Sauce~"

Also, the Menchi Katsu, which appears annually around the same time as the "Tsukimi Focaccia," is back this year. The "Menchi Katsu Cheese Burger ~Demi-Glace Sauce~" (510 yen) will also be sold starting the same day.

This year, the sauce is demi-glace.

While last year featured a classic sauce flavor, this year uses demi-glace sauce. It's a rich preparation with mushrooms as an ingredient, and balsamic vinegar is added as a secret ingredient.

The "Atsuatsu Osatsu Ball ~Purple Sweet Potato~"

Furthermore, the "Atsuatsu Osatsu Ball ~Purple Sweet Potato~" (290 yen for 3 pieces, 470 yen for 5 pieces) is also making an appearance. This is the "Osatsu Ball" series, which has sold a cumulative total of 2.2 million units since its launch in 2024. This year, with "golden" as the theme, the outer dough is kneaded with domestic "Beni Haruka" sweet potato powder, giving it a yellow appearance reminiscent of a full moon for Tsukimi.

Always popular and a hot topic.

These have a chewy texture that can be enjoyed even when cold. Previously, arrangements like pairing them with ice cream became popular on social media. It seems they'll be a hot topic again this year.

The "Mazeru Shake Mitsuimo"

Also, the "Mazeru Shake Mitsuimo" (S size 410 yen, M size 470 yen) is joining the Tsukimi series.

It combines a sauce made from Annoimo sweet potatoes from Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture, with "Mos Shake Vanilla," and looks like a full moon when viewed from above. The sauce uses Annoimo sweet potatoes that are roasted, peeled by hand, and then made into a paste.

Looks like a full moon from above?

Since the sauce accumulates at the top, you can first taste the vanilla and Annoimo separately without mixing, then enjoy the change in flavor as you mix them in. The gentle blend of vanilla's deliciousness and the hearty sweetness of the sweet potato was so irresistible that even though I had eaten two burgers at the press conference and thought I'd only have "a little shake," I couldn't stop myself.

By the way, isn't the "Tsukimi Focaccia" cute? The sausage looks like a hand, like Gundam's Acguy raising its hand towards me (in Nabeko's opinion).

Mos Burger's Tsukimi series starts on September 9th. Why not enjoy it while gazing at the moon (perhaps)?

↑ What are the key points of this year's Tsukimi products? We introduced them in a live stream on Donburi Channel!

*All prices include tax.