Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2010

The geniuses at Mos Burger (www.mos.co.jp) have come up with a seriously wafu summertime treat. The new Genmai Flake Shake (¥300, pictured) is made with bittersweet tea pudding, unpolished brown rice flakes, rice-flour dumplings and azuki beans from Hokkaido. All that, and only 256 calories too… Freshness Burger (www.freshnessburger.co.jp), meanwhile, combats the stifling heat with its new Mixed Berry Lemonade (¥380). Described as an “exquisite” blend of strawberry, blackberry and cherry, the sweet-sour drink has “a fruity aroma that spreads perfectly in the mouth.”… Not to be outdone, the Tapioca Coconut Milk Float (¥380) from First Kitchen (www.first-kitchen.co.jp) marries the springy texture of black tapioca with the silky sweetness of coconut milk. Pair the drink with the new sour cream-onion French fries (¥260/¥310), with a “sourness that comes at you like a punch.”