The first-ever Tokyo Shake Shack will open its doors Friday, November 13 at 11 a.m. Japan standard time. This Shack will be located in Meiji-Jingu Gaien Park, sitting among the magnificent gingko trees, on Icho Namiki Avenue—steps from bustling Aoyama.
Shake Shack is a critically acclaimed, modern-day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100 percent all-natural Angus beef burgers (no added hormones), griddled flat-top dogs, fresh-made frozen custard, crispy crinkle cut fries, beer and wine, and more. A fun and lively community gathering place with widespread appeal, Shake Shack has earned a cult-like following around the world.
“We’re so excited to be opening our first Tokyo Shack inside Meiji-Jingu Gaien Park. This community takes us back 11 years to our roots in New York City’s Madison Square Park”, says Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti. “We’ve worked hard to design a Shack of its new home and we’re thrilled to open our doors in Meiji-Jingu Gaien during such an iconic time in the park.”
The Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack will build on Shake Shack’s history of creating restaurants with innovative, forward-thinking architecture and design. In keeping with its heritage as a “roadside” stand and inspired by the first-ever Shake Shack in New York City’s Madison Square Park, this Shack will have an expansive outdoor patio where guests can kick back with a delicious ShackBurger, cold ShackMeister Ale, or a game of ping pong.
The Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack will feature Shake Shack’s signature items including the ShackBurger, SmokeShack, and Shack-cago Dog. The burgers are made with freshly ground 100 percent Angus beef (highly prized for its delicate texture, great taste, and no added hormones). The ShackBurger, Shake Shack’s much-lauded burger, is made with cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauceTM, and finished with a buttered, toasted, soft potato roll. Shake Shack’s unique take on a bacon burger, the SmokeShack, features Applewood-smoked bacon, chopped cherry peppers, and ShackSauce. The Shack-cago Dog is a hot dog inspired by a food typically only found in Chicago. This delicious hot dog is made with locally produced beef, and eight toppings including Shack relish, onion, cucumber, pickle, tomato, sport pepper, celery salt, and mustard.
The menu will also include a complete craft beer and wine list. ShackMeister Ale, created by Brooklyn Brewery exclusively for Shake Shack, will be available on tap. The wine list will feature house wines Shack Red and Shack White bottled exclusively for Shake Shack by Napa, California–based Frog’s Leap Winery. For those seeking a nonalcoholic beverage, the menu will feature Shack-made lemonade, bottled root beer from Abita Brewing Co., and more.
Shake Shack’s frozen custard—dense, rich and creamy ice cream spun fresh daily—will be featured in shakes and concretes (frozen custard blended at high speed with mix-ins). The Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack will offer four exclusive concretes with mix-ins derived from local partners: Shack Attack (chocolate custard, fudge sauce, milk chocolate popcorn brownie from our friends at Dominique Ansel Bakery, Valrhona chocolate chunks, and chocolate sprinkles), The Tokyo Edition (chocolate and vanilla custard, marshmallow sauce, black sesame purée, and cocoa nibs from our friends at Minimal), Walk In The Park (vanilla custard, yuzu-miso caramel, and matcha macaron, dusted with matcha, and soy bean powders), and Strawberry Banana Crunch (vanilla custard, strawberry purée, sea salt shortbread, and banana).
Shake Shack’s mission to Stand For Something Good will play an essential role at the Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack. The team has partnered with local community organization Hokago NPO After School (whose mission is to provide a safe and intellectually stimulating environment after school for those children without support or shelter) to donate 5 percent of sales from Walk In The Park. Moreover, the Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack will encompass eco-friendly, forward-thinking architecture including walls clad in reclaimed snow fence and local Hinoki cypress, handcrafted tabletops from reclaimed Brooklyn bowling alley lanes and energy-efficient kitchen and lighting equipment.
Leading up to the opening on November 13, the Meiji-Jingu Gaien Shack will be eagerly awaiting Shack fans with Tokyo-exclusive retail and giveaways. To celebrate the first-ever Tokyo Shack, Shake Shack Meiji-Jingu Gaien will be selling 500 limited-edition tote bags available on opening day. What’s more, Shake Shack Meiji-Jingu Gaien has teamed up with Tokyobike to create a custom Shack green “Tokyobike Lite” for one lucky winner.
Shake Shack is a New York City institution and global brand. In its 11-year history, Shake Shack has been recognized with numerous accolades, including Bon Appétit's "The 20 Most Important Restaurants in America" (ranked No. 16), TIME Magazine's "17 Most Influential Burgers of All Time" (ranked No. 7 for the ShackBurger) and winning "Best Burger" in 2007 and 2014 at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival's Burger Bash.