What's the best way to spend 1,000 yen at KFC Japan?

With costs rising everywhere in Japan, it's getting harder and harder to eat out on a budget, even at some of the top fast food chains. Thankfully, our team of Japanese-language reporters has been on the case, visiting these chains to find out what we can get there for 1,000 yen (US$6.76). Today, they're taking us to KFC to show us how we can maximise our spending there, and with a single piece of fried chicken costing 310 yen, it'll be a tight squeeze to fit a lot of food into their orders.

Takamichi Furusawa's "Full Stomach Five-Item Set"

I decided to go with a value-packed five-item lunch set. The main dishes here are the Chicken Fillet Burger and Original Chicken piece. The lunch set also includes a drink, fries, and a biscuit, so if you want to enjoy KFC to the full while filling your stomach for 1,000 yen, my five-item set is the best choice.

Takamichi bulked up an already great-value lunch set with a burger to ensure you'll go home feeling full and satisfied. With this strategy, you can make the most of your 1,000 yen and still have some room for dessert!

Masanuki Sunakoma's "Original is the Best Set"

If you have 1,000 yen to spend at KFC, you shouldn't hesitate to choose the 'Deluxe Set'. It's a classic combo that contains a Chicken Fillet Burger, a piece of Original Chicken, small fries, and a drink, making it a fantastic deal. According to the official KFC site, this deal will only be available until 12 December this year, and if you order online, you can even swap the side of fries for other things like a Colonel's Crispy Chicken or a Chocolate Pie or Biscuit so that's something to keep in mind!

Masanuki traded his money in for a tray of simplicity that was both well-balanced and great value. This set is perfect for those who want to stick with the original KFC favorites.

Yuichiro Wasai's "Original Chicken Three-Piece Set"

I really wanted to try using up the full 1,000 yen since this is a 1,000-yen challenge, but I also thought it would be a waste if I failed to introduce my most recommended combo. While KFC sells burgers, sides and other chicken-based menu items, nothing is as addictive as the Original Chicken so the correct strategy is to always buy as much of it as you can.

Yuichiro showed true restraint by ordering only fried chicken, revealing the depth of his dedication. With this strategy, you'll be able to enjoy all the original chicken goodness for under 1,000 yen!

Mariko Obanabatake's "Secret Technique to Enjoy Dessert Set"

I haven't been to KFC much lately, but I know that their lunch sets are super good deals. Plus, if you place your order online you can switch the fries to a hot biscuit or chocolate pie! I'm known for my sweet tooth so I swapped the fries for the pie and ordered fries separately with the money I had left over.

For 980 yen, I got to enjoy a burger, fries, chocolate pie, and a medium drink. The Wafu Chicken Cutlet Burger has the best sweet-savory sauce so I recommend ordering that in the set — you'll be glad you did!

Yoshio Ueda's "Ultimate Deluxe Set"

Purchasing single items at KFC is nonsense — it's better to order a simple set. Plus, there's a limited online-only promotion until 12 December that'll save you 160 yen off the Chicken Fillet Burger Deluxe Set, so you can get it for 990 yen.

Being able to eat a chicken fillet burger, a piece of original chicken, and fries for under 1,000 yen is a crazy good deal and KFC's lemonade soda is delicious as well. This set is perfect for those who want a little bit of everything!

Takashi Harada's "Eat the Best of KFC Set"

I'm calling this the 'Eat the Best of KFC Set,' but it's actually the 'Kentucky Lunch Teriyaki Twister Deluxe Set.' I personally love the Twister, and this set comes with fries and drink, so it's my idea of a perfect lunch.

I had just enough left over to add even more flavour with the seasoning for the fries, which added a nice, refreshing, lemony finish to the meal. With this strategy, you can enjoy all your favorite KFC dishes in one go!

Ahiruneko's "Original Chicken Purist Set"

KFC owes its existence to the deliciousness of the Original Chicken, with side dishes like fries and biscuits being merely supporting players. As a hardcore Original Chicken purist who has written over 100 KFC-related articles, I must say this challenge to spend 1,000 yen at the chain was almost an insult to my taste buds.

For me and my palate, the Original Chicken is always the only option — it's more than a meal, it's a way of life. With this strategy, you'll be able to indulge in all the original chicken goodness for under 1,000 yen!

Go Hatori's "Limited Edition Spicy Trio"

KFC and I have a somewhat troubled past, since I was a kid who couldn't eat fatty meat. I grew to love KFC later in life, though, and it was the spicy crispy chicken that initially drew me in.

As a limited-edition menu item that's only available intermittently, I can never resist buying one, or even three, whenever I come across it. With this strategy, you'll be able to try all three types of spicy chicken for under 1,000 yen!

Seiji Nakazawa's "Three Chicken Variety Taste Test Set"

Whenever I think of KFC, the Original Chicken always comes to mind. But with 1,000 yen in my pocket, I decided to splurge on a burger instead. I followed the advice of customers on social media who had been raving about the Wafu Chicken Cutlet Burger, and although it was a dark horse I'd never encountered before, I can now confidently say it's one of the best things you can buy at KFC.

Switching the side to a Colonel's Crispy Chicken lets you taste three types of chicken, making this a fantastic option for lovers of fried chicken. With this strategy, you'll be able to try all sorts of delicious chicken dishes for under 1,000 yen!

Mr Sato's "Teriyaki Twister Deluxe Set"

When I think of KFC, I think of the Twister. The Twister lunch set used to be 500 yen with fries and drink, which was an amazing deal, but now it's 650 yen, due to rising costs. The price increase is a bit of a bummer, but adding an Original Chicken to it helped turn my frown upside down, because all this for under 1,000 yen is still a good deal in the current climate.

Like Takashi, Mr Sato also opted for the Twister Deluxe Set, showing it still has timeless appeal, despite the price increase. This set is perfect for those who love the classic Twister dish!

P.K. Sanjun's "Squeeze In An Original Chicken Set"

I considered going all-in on Original Chicken but chose the Chicken Fillet Burger set instead. This allowed me to squeeze in a piece of Original Chicken so I could enjoy the best of both worlds, and I wound up using every yen of the budget, making this a win in my book.

You can never go wrong with fries as a side and the chain's coffee has improved so I was completely satisfied with this selection. With this strategy, you'll be able to try all your favorite KFC dishes for under 1,000 yen!

Conclusion

Which of the above orders do you think is the best value for 1,000 yen? And how do these meals compare to what's available at KFC in your country? Let us know in the comments below! Don't forget there's more value to be had at Don Quijote and the Lawson convenience store chain!

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