Same Food, Three Different Names

The United States calls them “French fries.” The United Kingdom calls them “chips.” Japan calls them フライドポテト (furaido poteto) — a very literal “fried potato.” Three countries, three names, one greasy snack.

English speakers visiting Japan are often amused to see “fried potato” on every menu. The phrase exists in English, technically, but it sounds like a description rather than a food name. In Japan, it’s the name.

Why Not Just “French Fries”?

When Western food first arrived in Japan in the Meiji and Taishō eras, imported dishes often got descriptive Japanese-English names rather than being borrowed wholesale. “French fries” was apparently too complicated, or perhaps the “French” connection wasn’t obvious — so the straightforward フライドポテト stuck. This pattern echoes through other food words:

• ホットドッグ (hotto doggu) — hot dog (borrowed intact)
• ハンバーグ (hanbāgu) — Salisbury steak-style patty (coined in Japan)
• オムライス (omuraisu) — omelet rice (coined in Japan)

Japan is selective about which English food names it keeps and which it replaces.

The Izakaya Side Dish

Though fries arrived in Japan with American fast food, they quickly became a staple izakaya (Japanese pub) side dish. A plate of フライドポテト alongside beer is now as Japanese as edamame in the casual drinking scene. Big brands also have their own variants:

• マックフライポテト — McDonald’s Japan’s branded version
• シャカシャカポテト — a McDonald’s limited-run with a shake-on flavor packet
• アメリカンドッグ — corn dog (unrelated, but just to show Japan’s fast-food naming logic)

Fun Fact

In Japan, フライドポテト at izakaya often comes with mayonnaise on the side, a dipping choice that horrifies some American visitors but is utterly standard in Tokyo pubs. Blame (or thank) the Japanese love of mayo.