TOKYO: Japan's McDonald's Co. said Tuesday that it will sell burger products using steamed rice as buns for the first time, for a limited period from Feb. 5 to mid-May. The burgers will replace traditional bread buns with a new kind of bun made from rice that is pressed together.

The rice version will be available for three regular burgers popular at McDonald's restaurants in Japan; teriyaki, bacon and lettuce, and chicken filet-o. Their buns are made of soy sauce-flavored steamed Japanese rice instead of bread.

The price is set at 390 yen for the teriyaki rice burger and 410 yen for the other two items. They will be put on the chain's night-time menu from 5 p.m. to closing for a limited time.

With the new products, McDonald's Japan aims attract customers in their 30s and 40s who want to eat rice for dinner, Atsuo Shimodaira, executive vice president of the company, said at a press conference. "There are more chances for growth in our night-time operations," he said.

JIJI Press