The month’s headline is Japan, where September 2 was a coordinated autumn opening day: McDonald’s launched its 35th-anniversary Tsukimi moon-viewing lineup, Starbucks dropped a chilled sweet-potato Frappuccino and tea latte, and KFC added dip chicken a week after its own Tsukimi burgers. In the US, fall menus are fully live: Starbucks’ new Chaider, Dunkin’s tiramisu line, Wendy’s Apple Crumble Frosty. Korea’s gochujang butter burgers arrive September 17. Updated through the month as releases land.
This is the monthly worldwide roundup: every item here comes from the chains’ own announcements, with local prices and dates where published.
Japan: Tsukimi season, the annual main event
Every September, Japanese chains celebrate tsukimi (moon viewing) by putting a fried egg on things, and it’s the country’s biggest limited- time ritual after sakura season.
- McDonald’s Japan runs eight Tsukimi items through late October, the 35th year of the tradition: the classic Tsukimi Burger (¥460), a new seared-beef sukiyaki-style version (¥570), a double-cheese double-patty edition sold only on the after-5pm Night Mac menu (¥670), a renewed Tsukimi Pie with red bean and mochi (¥200), and a Shine Muscat grape McShake. Full details in our McDonald’s Japan menu page.
- Starbucks Japan answered on the same day with its melty honey-sweet-potato pair: a Beniharuka Frappuccino (¥700) and a cold-only Mousse Tea Latte (¥640); our Starbucks Japan page has the lineup.
- KFC Japan started Tsukimi earliest (August 26) with five items, including a triple-katsu Tsukimi burger at ¥990, then added Crazy Dip Chicken with three sauces on September 2 and a garlic soy-sauce chicken on September 16.
United States: fall menus, fully deployed
- Starbucks: the Pumpkin Spice Latte returned August 25 alongside the new Chaider, a chai-apple-cider hybrid (about $4.95), plus an Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso and banana-bread lattes that the company says will outlast fall.
- Dunkin’ went tiramisu: a Tiramisu Cloud Latte and three siblings, next to the new Pumpkin Patch Cloud Latte and an Alix Earle collab meal.
- Wendy’s brought back the fan-voted Pretzel Bacon Pub Cheeseburger and added an Apple Crumble Frosty Fusion.
- Taco Bell launched a pink-lemonade Baja Blast fronted by Olivia Rodrigo and confirmed Nacho Fries are going permanent.
- Burger King reworked its chicken nuggets (new recipe from September 1) with a garlicky Special Savory Sauce; McDonald’s US brought Spicy McNuggets and Mighty Hot Sauce back the same day and added a Caramel Apple Pie McCafé line.
Korea: the gochujang wave
McDonald’s Korea launches McCrispy and McSpicy Gochujang Butter burgers on September 17, with the sauce also sold as a dip; its Bulgogi Burger just joined the value menu at ₩2,500 as lunch prices soar. Starbucks Korea’s fall list brings back the Black Glazed Latte and adds a Hojicha Glazed Tea Latte. And the region-wide story: McDonald’s announced a G-Dragon campaign across 13 Asian markets on September 9, so expect tie-in items shortly.
Britain, Australia, Canada
McDonald’s UK’s September rotation runs Black Pepper & Garlic McNuggets, a Big Arch with Bacon, Cheesy Potato Bites and a Cornetto Strawberry McFlurry. McDonald’s Australia launched the Birdie’s Brekkie Meal on August 26, the first meal fronted by the mascot Birdie anywhere in the world, with a pink “Birdie sauce” McMuffin and a Strawberry Shortcake Frappé. McDonald’s Canada brought back its World Menu Heist, importing international items for a limited run, which is as close as North America gets to the pages on this site becoming edible.
FAQ
What is Tsukimi season at Japanese fast food chains?
September’s moon-viewing tradition: chains add fried-egg (“full moon”) items for six weeks or so. McDonald’s Japan has done it every year since 1991, and KFC, Burger King and others now join with their own lineups.
What’s new at Starbucks for fall 2026?
In the US: the PSL returned August 25 with the new Chaider and banana-bread lattes. In Japan: a chilled sweet-potato Frappuccino and mousse tea latte from September 2. In Korea: glazed hojicha and black-glazed lattes.
How often is this roundup updated?
Weekly during the month, with the date stamp above reflecting the last check. Bigger releases get their own pages on the chain hubs.
Keep planning
- StarbucksStarbucks Japan Right Now: The Sweet Potato Drinks and What Else Is Exclusive
What's on Starbucks Japan's menu right now — the Beniharuka sweet potato Frappuccino and mousse tea latte with prices, the autumn chilled cups, and the Japan-only regulars. Checked September 9, 2026.
- FeaturesMcDonald's Around the World: The Exclusives That Are Actually on Menus Right Now
The famous international McDonald's items, checked against current 2026 menus — McAloo Tikki, the Teriyaki McBurger, Korea's ₩2,500 Bulgogi Burger, Germany's permanent McRib, Hong Kong's breakfast pasta and more.
- McDonald'sMcDonald's Japan Right Now: Tsukimi Season and the Permanent Exclusives
McDonald's Japan's current menu — the full 2026 Tsukimi moon-viewing lineup with prices and end dates, plus the permanent Japan-only items: Teriyaki McBurger, Ebi Filet-O, Samurai Mac. Checked September 9, 2026.
- JollibeeJollibee, Explained: The Menu, the Hype and Where It's Opening Next
What Jollibee is, what to order first (Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, Peach Mango Pie), current US prices, and the expansion map — 109 North American stores heading for 500 by 2030.
- KFCKFC at Christmas in Japan: How the Ritual Works and How to Get a Barrel
Why Japan eats KFC for Christmas, how the reservation system works, what the Party Barrel costs, and the 2026 timeline — announcement expected late October, reservations from early November.
Prices, schedules and closures change. If you spot something stale, email us and we’ll check it.