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- Bite Into Even More McDonald's Burgers Not Found In The USA
Summary
- McDonald's menus around the world cater to local tastes and food regulations, resulting in unique and sometimes controversial McDonald's burgers!
- Some Australian and New Zealand McDonald's offer burgers with pineapple and beetroot, which is considered normal in those countries but could be off-putting to international visitors.
- Asia is another diverse area with tons of McDonald's food you can't get in America; the continent's restaurants offer unique menu items such as shrimp burgers (and even black squid ink burgers) in Japan and Korea and rice burgers in the Philippines, reflecting local culinary preferences.
Burger lovers of the world rejoice: we're about to jet off on an intriguing McJourney around the world (there are over 40,000 McDonald's outlets around the world!). Beyond the classics - we're talking staples like the Big Mac, McChicken, Quarter Pounder, cheeseburger, and Filet-O-Fish - there exists another whole world of juicy, often-questionable, burgery goodness.
Of course, there are a bunch of unique McDonald's menu items only found in America, but those with cravings for the unknown, exotic, and a dash of adventure can make an entire getaway based on touring the many different McDonald's around the world and their international menu items (sure, it's a bit bizarre, but why not?).
Every region on this vast planet sports unique people, cultures, and culinary preferences, so while a burger dyed jet black with squid ink might seem farfetched and a little repulsive, it's perfectly normal and beloved in plenty of Asian countries (in particular, McDonald's in China has many unique menu items!). That said, there are still many countries in the world that don't have a McDonald's at all.
So, from shrimp-filled sandwiches to a burger promised to bring good luck, grab the knife and fork; let's get stuck into the obscure side of Ronald McDonald's personality. Here are a bunch of different McDonald's burgers that you can't find in America (which include a few unique takes on "burgers").
UPDATE: 2024/01/15 18:19 EST BY AARON SPRAY
Bite Into Even More McDonald's Burgers Not Found In The USA
McDonald's is compelled to adapt its menu around the world to cater to local food regulations and local tastes. In some countries, McDonald's is Halal (serving no pork) and in India, it doesn't even serve beef. This list has been updated and expanded with even more remarkable and very different McDonald's burgers around the world not found in the USA. Some are unique takes on a "burger" (like being a sandwich or wrap of sorts), while others are truly among the strangest McDonald's burgers around the world.
18 Foodie Cities In The US
There are lots of American cities food lovers should visit, from Los Angeles on the West Coast to Charleston on the East Coast.12 Aussie Burgers With Pineapples
Australians and New Zealanders like their "Macca's" burgers with pineapple and beetroot
For a burger to be considered an Aussie burger or a Kiwi burger, it needs to have pineapple and beetroot in it. The slices of pineapple can be either raw or grilled on the BBQ. These are just some of the ingredients in Australian McDonald's not normally found in America.
In New Zealand and Australia (much like in most of the countries with McDonald's), the brand often appeals to the local tastes - to the dismay and disgust of many an international visitor. Pineapple on pizza already took it too far, but putting it on a McDonald's burger is just another level of "nope" for many non-Aussies and New Zealanders.
Fun Fact: In Australia, McDonald's is commonly known as "Macca's" (see the image above). In fact, McDonald's research in the last decade found that 55% of Australians called the brand by this name. Abbreviating names is common in Australia, and it seems McDonald's is no exception to this custom, either. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, many Brits know McDonald's as "Maccy D's", a name the company applied to register as a trademark in 2009!
11 The McToast (Sweden)
The McToast shows that sometimes, the Swedes like going back to the basics
Europe has a number of McDonald's menu items found nowhere else. Over in the Scandinavian country of Sweden, as well as a few of its neighboring nations, the fast-food giant we know and love offers a rather simple breakfast option.
Instead of opting for a BLT or sausage and egg McMuffin, hungry customers can order a good old McToast. We don’t mind the overly basic approach of sliding in a couple of slices of cheese and a slice of ham between two halves of a burger bun. People don’t always want hefty meals for breakfast, so it makes sense. What we can’t quite wrap our heads around, however, is why the bun flipped inside out.
- Number of McDonald's in Sweden: 230
10 The Shrimp Burger (Japan And Korea)
The Shrimp Burger in Japan and Korea is a great way to experience McDonald's Asian influence
At plenty of McDonald’s outlets in Asia, particularly Japan and Korea (each of which is known for radical, progressive menu items), hungry customers have the option to order a burger made with shrimp meat. Just as they would with beef, the shrimp is ground up and mashed into a patty before being breaded.
In classic McDonald’s style, the patty is served with either too much or too little lettuce, a single slice of tomato, and a sauce that’s neither mild nor spicy. Nevertheless, the shrimp burger, which is still available on selective menus across Asia, is worth trying if passing through the region.
9 The McRice (Philippines)
Rice is part of most meals in the Philippines, so McDonald's menus come with rice
On the next leg of this mouth-watering McDonald’s journey across the globe, we’re taking a quick stop in the Philippines, which is home to one of the strangest McDonald's menu items around the world (albeit a simple, tasty one). Rice is a large part of Filipino food culture, so it should come as no surprise that it’s made its way onto the menus of local McDonald’s outlets.
The patty (either beef or chicken) is served alongside relatively normal condiments, but where this burger goes totally left-field is with the buns. Ronald McDonald has ditched the bread bun altogether and replaced it with a bun-shaped construction of toasted, white rice. It certainly presents an intriguing visual, but taste-wise there’s nothing too peculiar about it.
- Number of McDonald's in the Philippines: 705
8 The McArabia (Egypt)
Experience the Arab-influenced McDonald's menu in Egypt (and it's Halal)
Fasten your seatbelts because our McPlane is about to land and take its next McLayover in the hot and historic Middle Eastern country of Egypt. The intriguing McArabia, which is primarily sold in Egypt but also in a few selected locations in neighboring countries, consists of two grilled chicken patties, with tomatoes, lettuce, and tahini sauce. It all delicately comes together in a thick piece of flatbread.
Besides the choice of bread, there’s nothing too out of the ordinary in the McArabia compared to a few other items on this list. It embraces the local culinary culture and is well worth a try.
- Number of McDonald's in Egypt: 176
14 McDonald's Restaurants Around The World That Serve Alcohol
McDonald's may be a family friendly fast food restaurant, but places do exist where you could totally get a beer with your Big Mac.7 The Samurai Pork Burger (Thailand)
Pork is very popular in Thailand, and the Samurai Pork Burger is delicious
The next stop on our speedy McJourney across the globe is the culturally rich nation of Thailand. Since red meat such as beef and lamb isn’t overly common in the region, McDonald’s Thailand decided to introduce a burger that was easier to produce at mass capacity. Enter the popular McDonald’s Samurai Pork Burger.
Simply put, it's a pork patty doused with a layer of teriyaki sauce, then topped with a classic handful of lettuce and the mystery mayo-like white sauce. Besides a meat switcheroo, the Samurai really isn’t too different from what we’re used to seeing on Western McDonald’s menus.
- Number of McDonald's in Thailand: 227
6 The Maine Lobster Sandwich (Italy)
Italians generally shun fast food, so McDonald's needs to be more inventive with its lobster sandwiches
Lobster has never had a fast-food association and plenty of food connoisseurs and restaurant owners worldwide would heavily agree with that. Well, unfortunately, it’s a case of too bad, so sad for them, because over in Italy, McDonald’s gave it a real go when they released the Maine lobster roll as a genuine menu item.
The dish, which is served on a hot dog-style bun, features lobster as the main ingredient alongside some crunchy, crispy veggies and a concoction of creamy sauces. Pairing luxurious lobster with cheap hot dog buns just doesn’t seem right, but hey, if it sells, it sells.
- Number of McDonald's in Italy: 669
5 The Prosperity Burger (Hong Kong)
Cafes can be scarce in Hong Kong, but McDonald's offers a spot to relax and bite into some luck
We’re back on the McPlane and hopping from Europe back to Asia for our next quirky McDonald’s menu item. For anyone who has ever felt both hungry and out of luck at the same time, we wish you’d discovered Hong Kong’s Prosperity Burger a little sooner. The Prosperity Burger is served on a sesame seed bun and consists of either a beef patty or hash brown dipped in black pepper sauce and then topped with onions.
While it can be accompanied by a side of curly fries, we can’t solidly prove that it’ll come with a plate of good luck. That being said, it’s worth a shot, right? As for the Prosperity Burger, USA McDonald's stores sadly haven't made it a thing, but who knows what the future may hold (perhaps with a little luck and prosperity, it might appear in America one day).
- Number of McDonald's in Hong Kong: 250
These Foods Are Normal To Americans But Strange To Foreigners
What might seem strange to some is just a normal breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the United States, and these foods are definitely unusual.4 The Chicken Maharaja Mac (India)
Chicken is common at McDonald's in India, as beef and pork are not acceptable in the restaurant
The Big Mac is a staple of the McDonald’s brand and at the core of this signature burger is a couple of juicy beef patties. While McDonald’s in India wanted to be able to produce a Big Mac-style menu item, they had to find an alternative to beef. Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism, and since the majority of the country is of the Hindu faith, using beef simply wasn’t viable (and in some areas, legal).
At first, they replaced the beef with lamb, but they’ve finally found the perfect replacement: chicken! McDonald’s India also throws in a few jalapeños instead of pickles, typical of the country’s love of heat and spices.
- Number of McDonald's in India: 512
3 The NYC Benedict Bagel (New Zealand)
McDonald's is a favored breakfast outlet in New Zealand
The next pit stop on our McRace around the world is way down in the Southern Hemisphere. Across the friendly nation of New Zealand, hungry McDonald’s customers will find a menu item consisting of a strip of bacon, a perfectly (and somewhat worryingly) round egg, and a dollop of hollandaise sauce sandwiched between a sliced-up plain bagel.
It’s essentially an off-brand eggs benedict, and while it might seem like it pales in comparison to the real deal, you can’t knock it ‘till you try it. Grab one alongside a hash brown and a large cup of orange juice, and you’re all set for the most important meal of the day.
- Number of McDonald's in New Zealand: 168
2 The Black Burger (Japan)
Japan's black burger with its squid ink dye is easily one of the strangest McDonald's foods around the world
Next, we’re taking another quick visit to McDonald’s Japan. The Japanese have never been known to keep it simple or boring in the food or drink department, often being much more experimental and progressive than the rest of the world. Therein was birthed one of the most unique McDonald's foods in the world: the Black Burger.
The core of this burger isn’t too out of the ordinary; it sports two succulent beef patties topped with a slice of cheese, a handful of fried onions, and some spicy cheese sauce. Clearly, where it differs, however, is in the bun department. The buns get that jet-black color thanks to a simple squid ink dye, and while that might not sound overly appealing, it’s more for aesthetic purposes than taste.
- Number of Outlets: 2,968
1 McFalafel (Egypt)
The McFalafel is popular with vegans and is perhaps one of the healthiest McDonald's foods
Going back to Egypt, one of the most iconic Middle Eastern foods is the Falafel. Falafel is enjoyed across the region for tasting good, being healthy, being filling, and being vegetarian. Naturally, Egyptian McDonald's offers the McFalafel to its customers.
According to McDonald's Egypt, the McFalafel is made with three pieces of falafel, which are garnished with tomatoes, lettuce, onion, and pickles, and then topped with Tehina sauce, all before being wrapped inside a freshly baked tortilla wrap.
- Number of McDonald's in Egypt: 176