The 10 Best McDonald's Meals You Won't Find in the U.S.

[Kunal Biswas]

From French breakfast sandwiches to Japanese shrimp burgers, the international creations that helped McDonald's win the Great Recession.


BY SULOME ANDERSON | OCTOBER 8, 2012
The 10 Best McDonald's Meals You Won't Find in the U.S. - By Sulome Anderson | Foreign Policy

 

[Kunal Biswas]

India: BigSpicy Paneer Wrap

This fast food take on a common Indian street food is both spicy and vegetarian, making it a hit at the 271 McDonald's locations in India. Made with breaded paneer, a type of South Asian cheese, the BigSpicy Paneer Wrap is one of many vegetarian McDonald's innovations, which have been so successful that the chain plans to open two all-vegetarian locations in India next year.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Japan: Ebi Filet-O

Part of McDonald's Japan President Eikoh Harada's push to tailor food to Japanese taste, the Ebi Filet-O generated sales of 10 million in the first three months after its launch in October 2005. Made with breaded shrimp, this Japanese version of the classic Filet-O-Fish is modeled after the traditional Japanese dish of shrimp tempura and costs around $5.70 in Tokyo.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Turkey: Kofteburger

The Kofteburger is the McDonaldization of kofte, a type of Turkish kebab made with mint and parsley. So authentic that even the bun is sprinkled with parsley, the Kofteburger has been a hit with Turkish customers, and as one American visitor put it, "it's good but it doesn't taste like a burger...it tastes very...Turkish."

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Thailand: Samurai Pork Burger

The name says it all. Featuring a pork patty marinated in Teriyaki sauce and smothered in peppers, the Samurai Pork burger is McDonald's attempt to put a Thai twist on the classic Big Mac, although the fast food giant may be a little off the geographical mark on this one. As one customer asks, "Why does it have a Japanese name when I'm in Thailand?"

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Morocco: The McArabia

Priced at about $6.50, variations on the McArabia are available in countries across the Middle East. But Moroccans, especially, seem to have taken to this cumin-spiced flatbread beef sandwich. As one customer told the Global Post, "Honestly, it tastes Moroccan."

 

[Kunal Biswas]

China: Prosperity Burger

A seasonal item only available around the Chinese New Year, the Prosperity Burger is made with beef smothered in black pepper sauce and onions. Customers in China and other East Asian countries can also enjoy local delicacies like taro pie, a variation of the classic apple version, as well as red bean sundaes.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

France: Croque McDo

The country that immortalized the "Royale with Cheese" in the classic film Pulp Fiction has another local McDonald's creation to boast about. This take on the croque-monsieur, the classic French open-faced ham and cheese sandwich, is popular with Parisians and tourists alike. As one American visitor to France exclaimed about the breakfast sandwich in her blog: "this was no

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Poland: The WiesMac

This quarter-pound beef patty, translated into English as the "Country Mac," is served with mustard and horseradish sauce on a sesame bun. "Everytime I eat WiesMac...I want to die," says one Polish customer in an online discussion, "But it is very tasty." Apparently, McDonald's guilt transcends differences of language and culture.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Mexico: McMollete

The Mexican version of a McMuffin minus the egg, this international McDonald's breakfast creation consists of refried beans, cheese, and pico de gallo, or Mexican salsa, atop a muffin. The dish takes its inspiration from molletes, a classic Mexican comfort food.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

The Netherlands: McKroket

When McDonald's first moved to the Netherlands in the seventies, they tried to tempt Dutch customers with erwtensoep, or pea soup. Although that venture was unsuccessful, the McKroket has proven a much more profitable local item. A deep-fried patty of beef ragout on a bun, the McKroket costs roughly $2.50 and is McDonald's take on the traditional Dutch croquet.

 

[Known_Unknown]

Stay away from Macdonald's if you want to have a long, healthy life:

 

[IBSA]

I'm not much a McDonald's fan

In Brazil their sandwiches' prices are a bit high.

For example, see the Big Mac Index, which compares the prices of a Big Mac around world. Brazilian Big Mac is the forth most expensive on list.

 

[civfanatic]

Are these people determined to ruin the health of people of EVERY country in the world ?

 

[thakur_ritesh]

Can't even recall when was the last I went to a McD outlet, it's been ages it seems!

 

[pmaitra]

I liked the Rs. 5 softies from McDonald's - back in India.

 

[sob]

If you have young kids then a trip to the local McD is almost a monthly or at times weekly affair.

The Toys with the Happy meal are the ultimate deciding factor for the kids.

 

[Zebra]

I liked the Rs. 5 softies from McDonald's - back in India.

 

[Singh]

Can't even recall when was the last I went to a McD outlet, it's been ages it seems!

McDonalds is one of the few chains which does breakfast in India. If you want to grab a bite in the morning, there is nothing else available.

I was in McD early morning a few days back and sampled their breakfast menu. Had hash browns, pancakes, sausage and egg mcmuffin, and a hot chocolate, goddamn delicious

 

[Apollyon]

I literally hate junk food but sometimes it's necessity to eat some when with friends
although i prefer Subway > McDonalds and Pizza Hut > Dominos, KFC is class apart