Around the world, there is no restaurant more common than McDonald’s. They operate over 36,000 restaurants worldwide, spread across 118 countries (It would be 119, but they closed their restaurants in Russia earlier this year). In fact, in the US alone, there is one McDonald’s per 25,000 people. Honestly, I eat at McDonald’s too frequently, but it’s one of like three restaurants in my town. Especially since the Subway closed down.
Some people find solace in the fact that they can travel around the world and eat the foods they are accustomed to. However, depending on where you go, you might find some surprising differences on the menu. Famously, portion sizes in the United States (especially for soda) are much larger than you might find elsewhere. But there are also some unusual items you might find in other places across the globe. Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order. Disclaimer: I chose these items because they are interesting, not necessarily because they are something I want to try.
- McSpaghetti – Because when I think “McDonald’s”, I think “quality Italian food” (\sarcasm). Evidently this dish is available in…wait for it…the Phillipines. And, according to the McDonald’s Wiki, Orlando, Florida? Don’t ask me why.
- Le Croque McDo – Available in France, it’s a fast food take on the classic croque monsieur.
- McGazpacho – Again, soup is not something I’d go to McDonald’s for. But tomato soup is pretty simple and easy. You can order this in Spain.
- Teriyaki McBurger – I suppose I should just be grateful that Japan didn’t call this the McTeriyaki Burger. At any rate, this one seems like it’s probably pretty good.
- Pizza – Yes, you heard me right. Pizza. As of 2017, this is evidently only available at three locations in the United States, as part of McDonald’s failed bid to move in on the pizza industry.
- Saimin Ramen – Now, you might be expecting ramen to be found in Japan. The problem with that is they already have plenty of good, cheap ramen joints everywhere there. So instead, you’ll have to go to Hawaii for this.
- Ham N’ Egg Twisty Pasta – Available in Hong Kong, this is apparently a breakfast item? It is also served with corn.
- Mashed Potato Burger – Now this just sounds like shepherd’s pie with extra steps. Get it in China.
- Bacon Roll – It’s literally just bacon on a roll with ketchup. And who says the UK isn’t overflowing with culinary creativity?
- NYC Benedict Bagel – A breakfast item of bacon, egg, cheese, and hollandaise sauce on a bagel. With a name like “NYC”, it’s gotta be in………New Zealand.
- Shrimp Beef Burger – South Korea is a busy country, and doesn’t have time to separate their surf’n’turf.
So many places to visit, so much fast food to try. I hope to go to all of these places and never visit a McDonald’s. Although I’ll admit that I ate at McDonald’s in Paris. But it was just once, and only because I had just gotten out of the airport and needed a quick lunch. I do, however, reserve the right to visit a McDonald’s in Japan. Their menu is full of interesting things that I didn’t put on here, just so that they wouldn’t dominate the list.
Anyways, these are some of the most interesting ones I came across while researching this topic. There are tons of others, but I leave the discovery of those as an exercise for the reader.
If you know anyone who would like to receive these, please have them send an email to [email protected]. And if the thought of fast food makes you sick, let me know and I can take you off the list.