Eating McDonald’s satisfies a very specific kind of craving. The juicy burger patties, the salty French fries, the creamy Special Sauce — it’s a set of mouthwatering flavors you can practically taste just from reading this. You can probably even sing the Big Mac jingle from memory: Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and a sesame seed bun. And while you can almost certainly order a Big Mac in nearly any McDonald’s restaurant around the world, there are a whole slew of McDonald’s international menu items you’ve probably never heard of before — and definitely weren’t expecting.
When we say that McDonald’s is everywhere, we mean that it’s everywhere. The franchise has restaurants in over 100 countries. In fact, there’s even a McDonald’s and McCafé at the Louvre fine art museum in Paris, France. Yes, cheeseburgers, French fries, and McNuggets are menu staples almost everywhere. But McDonald’s locations around the world also cater to local flavors.
For example, McDonald’s restaurants in Asian countries feature menu items made made with regional spices and sauces. European locations have seriously elevated dessert menus, and some countries, like India, have extremely vegetarian-friendly menus. Some of the McDonald’s international menu items are expected; like we said, it only makes sense that McDonald’s India caters to vegetarians. But other McDonald’s international menu items will make you do a double take. There are some flavor combinations that our Western palates simply never dreamed possible.
So the next time you see those familiar golden arches abroad, pop in and peep what’s on the menu. Eating at McDonald’s in another country might feel like the ultimate tourist move, but in some ways, it’s actually the perfect way to see what daily life is like in another place. You never know what menu items you’ll find. And don’t worry: If you’re just craving the American McDonald’s goodness that you know and love, you can find that around the world, too.
Ginger lovers, a trip to Japan may be in your future just so you can try this burger. The Ginger Burger features a juicy pork patty flavored with soy sauce and ginger paste. It’s only a matter of time until a chef deconstructs this recipe and starts serving Ginger Burgers in a fancy New York restaurant.
McDonald’s India has a wide variety of vegetarian options on their menu, including quite a few types of veggie burgers. But hands down the most interesting menu item is the Veg. Pizza McPuff. It’s stuffed with carrots, bell peppers, beans, onions, peas, and mozzarella cheese. It closely resembles a Hot Pocket, which we never say no to.
Pasta? For breakfast? The idea may never have occurred to you, but it’s quite the delicacy at McDonald’s Hong Kong. Start your morning with sausage and egg over a bowl of hot chicken or tonkotsu broth, twisty pasta, and greens.
When you think of McDonald’s desserts, what comes to mind? Probably milkshakes, McFlurries, and baked apple pies. Believe it or not, though, the McDonald’s restaurants in Europe have America beat when it comes to dessert. Case in point: McDonald’s Austria offers a Chili Donut that’s both delicious and ridiculously Instagrammable.
It may look small, but this burger packs a big punch. For starters, the patty is a mixture of chopped beef and pork, and it’s flavored with tomato sauce. It’s adorned with marinated cucumbers, pickled jalapenos, and onions. To top it all off, the BBQ-y burger is served on a brioche bun. Sold.
Yes, you read that correctly: McSpaghetti. This platter comes with crispy, golden brown chicken, served over spaghetti with ground beef. This flavor combination never occurred to us, but who knows? Maybe the crunch of the chicken pairs well with spaghetti. Excuse us, we mean, the McSpaghetti.
The next time you’re in Mexico, start your morning with a classic Mexican breakfast — at McDonald’s. Try McMolletes, three warm breads smothered with beans, cheese, and flavorful Mexican sauce. McMolletes put the Egg McMuffin to shame.
Step aside, Shamrock Shake, because there’s a new green treat in town. Given America’s obsession with all things green tea, it’s probably only a matter of time until the Green Tea McFlurry makes its way to menus in the states.
This is not a drill: McDonald’s Costa Rica sells a cheeseburger with queso on it. We repeat: QUESO. You can order a double or triple, because if you’re ordering a burger that has multiple types of melted cheese on it, you might as well go all out, right?
It’s easy for a McDonald’s dinner order to get out of hand. You know the nights: You’re craving a little bit of everything, and before you know it, you’ve ordered over half the menu. This is why the McFavourites Box from McDonald’s Australia makes so much freaking sense. It comes with your choice of any four burgers (Big Mac, McChicken, Quarter Pounder, or Cheeseburger), a Chicken ‘n’ Cheese, two orders of Family Size Fries, a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, and four medium soft drinks. It takes ALL the work out of ordering, and it all comes perfectly packaged in a cute little box. America needs to get on this McGenius idea ASAP.
