I’m not sure you should completely disregard these places when they’ve integrated themselves into the local culture. In Rome these days, the Romans frequent burger bars after all.

I enjoyed tofu burgers for the limited time they were available in Tokyo MuckyDs (ebi-prawn burgers are rather nice too - & you always get a free glass, and I mean glass of water with your meal). I don’t eat chicken but KFC in Japan has become a quintessentially Japanese experience (especially at Xmas) The portions they serve you are perfect, like the ones you see only in commercials.

I ONLY frequent Starbucks in Japan as they serve green tea frappuccino (not available in the UK - I don't like any of the other beverages they do).

And I’ve eaten battered squid rings at MacDonalds in Italy and the gazpacho in MacDs in Spain is very good (from Alvalle) as are the salads – some with olives and asparagus.

I’m not suggesting you only visit American franchises, but you can learn a lot about the culture your visiting by seeing the unfamiliar items available in these familiar surroundings.

There's something very Japanese about having the salmon/rice/miso combo breakfast set at Denny's too.