Japanese McDonald’s menu items continue to attract global attention, and Brie Larson recently joined the conversation with a candid taste test shared on Instagram.
The 36-year-old actress posted a “spring edition” food haul video on April 28 through the official account of her cookbook, “Party People.” Filmed while getting ready in a dressing room during a trip to Japan, the video featured Larson sampling several seasonal menu items while offering quick and unfiltered reactions.
The actress introduced the lineup by showing each packaged item to the camera. The order included the Shaka Shaka chicken, a strawberry-themed dessert, the cheese Teritama burger, and fries paired with pizza-flavored seasoning powder.
Larson explained how the flavored fries work, noting that the seasoning is poured directly into the bag before shaking everything together.
Teritama Burger Earns High Praise
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The first item Larson reviewed was the Teritama burger, a seasonal Japanese McDonald’s release made with teriyaki sauce, egg, cheese, and lettuce. After taking a bite on camera, the actress appeared genuinely surprised by the flavor.
“It’s actually extremely good, wow,” Larson said before rating the burger nine out of 10 on her “Party People punch bowls” scoring scale.
The burger stood out for its balance of sweet teriyaki sauce and savory ingredients, which has made the item a recurring seasonal favorite in Japan. Larson’s reaction quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the video.
Shaka Shaka Chicken and Pizza Fries Get Mixed Reviews
Larson then moved on to the Shaka Shaka chicken, admitting she was unfamiliar with the item before opening the bag. “I don’t even know what that means, but it looks like a fried chicken patty situation,” she joked while inspecting the chicken.
The meal came with a packet labeled cheddar cheese powder. After shaking the seasoning into the bag, Larson tasted the chicken and described the flavor as unexpectedly balanced.
“It’s like magic … sweet and salty. It doesn’t taste like cheddar,” she said.
The Shaka Shaka chicken received seven and a half out of 10 punch bowls.
Next came the fries coated in pizza-flavored powder. Larson laughed while preparing them, saying McDonald’s likely leaves the shaking process to customers because “they know you want the enjoyment.”
After trying the fries, the actress praised the aroma and flavor, saying, “Smells like pizza, that’s really good,” before giving them an eight-and-a-half rating.
Strawberry Pie Becomes the Standout Item
The final item in the haul was the Sakuramochi strawberry pie, a seasonal dessert wrapped in detailed spring-themed packaging. Larson paused to admire the design before tasting it.
“Gosh, the packaging is so thoughtful,” she commented.
Moments later, the dessert earned the highest score of the video. “Wow … this is so good, okay, she’s a 10,” Larson said after taking a bite.
The strawberry pie blended sakuramochi-inspired flavors with a fruit filling, making it one of the limited-time spring offerings available at Japanese McDonald’s locations.
Connection to “Party People” Cookbook
The food-focused video arrived several months after Larson released “Party People,” the cookbook created with longtime friend and co-author Courtney McBroom in October 2025. The book includes recipes designed for different cooking skill levels, along with hosting ideas and party-planning tips.
During an interview with PEOPLE in October, Larson revealed that the pair already has material planned for future releases.
“We have full chapters that are left,” the actress explained. “There’s so many different ways to party.”
Larson also shared that at least two more cookbook ideas have already been mapped out, signaling that “Party People” may become an ongoing series tied to food, gatherings, and creative entertaining.