Although one of my favorite things about traveling is experiencing local food made by local restaurants and street vendors, many American travelers seem to want to stick with names they know. Thus, restaurants like Papa John’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Starbucks, and McDonald’s can be found all over the world.
McDonald’s is by far the largest chain, with more than 35,000 locations worldwide, including locations in 119 countries outside the U.S. And some of those locations are nothing like you’d think. For example, the McDonald’s in Antigua, Guatemala, features chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and one McDonald’s location I visited in England had two floors and a smoking section!
The décor isn’t the only thing odd about McDonald’s locations around the world; many of those restaurants have specialty foods that cater to the tastes and cultures of the countries in which they are located. Here are a few of our favorites.
Canada: McPoutine
In Canadian McDonald’s restaurants carry the country’s classic favorite comfort food, poutine—fries, gravy, and melted cheese curds. Yum!
India: McVegetarian paradise
Because so much of India’s population is vegetarian, McDonald’s in India carry a whole array of vegetarian dishes including the Veg Pizza McPuff (tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and veggies inside a bread pocket); the McPaneer Royale (paneer cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapeño peppers, and a cheese and onion sauce); and the McAloo Tiki (spiced potato and pea patty in a bread bun, with salad and sweet tomato mayonnaise).
New Zealand: Land of bizarre McDesserts
First, there’s the Bubblegum Squash McFlurry (soft-serve ice cream blended with marshmallows—which are called squash in Australia and New Zealand—and bubblegum-flavored syrup). If that’s not odd enough for you, try the frozen Coke (basically a Coke slushie with ice cream or something on top). If you’re looking for something more hearty, though, try the Georgie Pie, a New Zealand classic based on traditional English meat pies (try the Steak Mince’n’Cheese, the Chicken’n’Vegetable, or Apple’n’Blackberry pies).
Malaysia: Like the McRib, but better
The Prosperity Burger bears a suspicious resemblance to the ill-fated McRib, except for the fact that it tastes good. This Chinese New Year-themed burger comes in beef or chicken. You can top it with onions, peppery sauce, and an optional hash brown. Malaysian McDonald’s also carry Burbur Ayam McD, porridge with chicken, onions, ginger, shallots, and chilies on top.
Germany: McToast and more
Who wouldn’t want a breakfast of McToast Chocolate—pancakes folded up like a sandwich with chocolate spread in between? And if you’re sad that the McRib was never a hit in the U.S., don’t despair: they’re a permanent fixture on German McDonald’s menus.
Have you seen other interesting items on international McDonald’s menus? Share your favorites in the comments.