3 ms·

Pretty sure that applies to Japan with the caveat of disregarding food options that wouldn‘t sustain a reasonably healthy life in the long run. A decent & healt

Pretty sure that applies to Japan with the caveat of disregarding food options that wouldn‘t sustain a reasonably healthy life in the long run. A decent & healthy meal is possible there incl. drinks for about 6 USD. Trying that with home cooking doesn‘t seem feasible at that price point and quality.

Mikeb85 5y ago
What kind of meal? Looking at McDonald's prices for Japan vs. USA, it's roughly the same, but the US has 20% higher wages making it relatively cheaper.
- tluyben2 5y ago
  Not sure why you would go to McDonald's in Japan (or Thailand or Vietnam etc), but I do know that they are seen in some of those as somewhat special because they are not local food so maybe they can get away with different pricing. In a lot of countries I frequent you would see (much) higher prices at McDonald's than in small local places. And japan was an example of that (been 3.5 years since I been). At my local in Portugal my wife and myself eat 2 lovely (and too large, we usually take half of one home), 2 coffees and a local sweet for less than E2/person. And that is not pre packaged stuff. The menu of the day costs less than E5/person and that includes wine, coffee, dessert, soup and a main; again, that is cooked that day and not fastfood or pre packaged. McDonald's is more expensive than that and it is a matter of taste if you go there or not of course. I have seen the same thing in many countries; especially Thailand and such, it is so much cheaper (and nicer, but that is taste again) to eat at a small local. I think those prices would probably make some countries cheaper even accounting for the wages. It is hard to compare apples to apples though; I don't like the typical American fast food and probably many don't like the food here. So even though it would be cheaper, if you would never go there...
  - Mikeb85 5y ago
    Ah, was just more curious about an apple to apples comparison. Lots of countries have cheap fast/street food options, but restaurants are quite expensive for locals. The US has, in my experience, by far the cheapest restaurant experience in the world, relative to the average worker's wage. Of course I haven't been everywhere. Currently in Czech Republic and it's cheap by most standards but relative to wages on point with most western countries.
- m_mueller 5y ago
  Just to counter the McDonalds idea, if you want some meat in Japan on the cheap it‘s much better and healthier to get a set of gyudon and miso-soup [1]. McDonalds there is a fun once-in-a-while place to go if you have at least a small amount of disposable income, it‘s by far not the lowest budget option available. [1] https://japanhubdotcom.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/japan-eat-battle-of-the-gyudon-restaurant-chains/ https://japanhubdotcom.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/japan-eat-ba...
  - fomine3 5y ago
    McD is considered to mainly for kids/teenages in Japan. Gyudon is budget choice for worker.

Mikeb85 5y ago

What kind of meal? Looking at McDonald's prices for Japan vs. USA, it's roughly the same, but the US has 20% higher wages making it relatively cheaper.

tluyben2 5y ago
Not sure why you would go to McDonald's in Japan (or Thailand or Vietnam etc), but I do know that they are seen in some of those as somewhat special because they are not local food so maybe they can get away with different pricing. In a lot of countries I frequent you would see (much) higher prices at McDonald's than in small local places. And japan was an example of that (been 3.5 years since I been). At my local in Portugal my wife and myself eat 2 lovely (and too large, we usually take half of one home), 2 coffees and a local sweet for less than E2/person. And that is not pre packaged stuff. The menu of the day costs less than E5/person and that includes wine, coffee, dessert, soup and a main; again, that is cooked that day and not fastfood or pre packaged. McDonald's is more expensive than that and it is a matter of taste if you go there or not of course. I have seen the same thing in many countries; especially Thailand and such, it is so much cheaper (and nicer, but that is taste again) to eat at a small local. I think those prices would probably make some countries cheaper even accounting for the wages. It is hard to compare apples to apples though; I don't like the typical American fast food and probably many don't like the food here. So even though it would be cheaper, if you would never go there...
- Mikeb85 5y ago
  Ah, was just more curious about an apple to apples comparison. Lots of countries have cheap fast/street food options, but restaurants are quite expensive for locals. The US has, in my experience, by far the cheapest restaurant experience in the world, relative to the average worker's wage. Of course I haven't been everywhere. Currently in Czech Republic and it's cheap by most standards but relative to wages on point with most western countries.
m_mueller 5y ago
Just to counter the McDonalds idea, if you want some meat in Japan on the cheap it‘s much better and healthier to get a set of gyudon and miso-soup [1]. McDonalds there is a fun once-in-a-while place to go if you have at least a small amount of disposable income, it‘s by far not the lowest budget option available. [1] https://japanhubdotcom.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/japan-eat-battle-of-the-gyudon-restaurant-chains/ https://japanhubdotcom.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/japan-eat-ba...
- fomine3 5y ago
  McD is considered to mainly for kids/teenages in Japan. Gyudon is budget choice for worker.