I had to stop and gawk when I saw the headline: ’15 Menu Items That Prove International McDonald’s Is Better’. It’s amazing how many great exotic McMains there are! And a mystery why they don’t offer at least some in Europe and North America…
I stop by FoodBeast a couple of times a week to catch up on the ‘fringe’ and quirky food news. It’s great fun. And there’s really no other food site like it. This morning, I was grabbed by the headline quoted above and decided to share some of my personal candidates for domestic distribution…
Literally, a world of choices
All McDonald’s ‘country organizations operate more or less separately from one another when it comes to developing menu items designed specifically for their host cultures and tastes. That’s why places such as Hong Kong, Germany, Costa Rica and Argentina get so many truly different – and enticing – mains.
Costa Rica’s McPinto
“In Costa Rica, you can forego burgers and fries altogether for a plate of local tradition. The McPinto Deluxe is the chain’s take on a Costa Rican staple […] Gallo pinto (or rice and black beans). The plate includes scrambled eggs, creamy custard, golden ripe plantains, sausage, and warm tortillas” Now, that’s sounds like a great way to fuel-up! Loads of protein, a dose of dairy, your plantain for fruit/veg…
Germany’s Honey Mustard Veggie Sandwich
It features a vegetarian schnitzel patty, lettuce, Emmental cheese, and sweet honey mustard sauce on a brioche bun. You can also get it with a chicken patty…
Hong Kong’s Sausage N’ Egg Twisty Pasta
They eat noodles three items a day in Asia. And breakfast at McD’s in Hong Kong can consist of a bowl of ‘twisty’ pasta topped with a US-type sausage patty and a sunny-side egg. Choose from chicken or tonkotsu broth. And top with fresh greens.
S. Korea’s Egg Bulgogi Burger
It’s simple: A plump beef patty, topped with an over-easy (McMuffin-style) egg, lettuce and Bulgogi Sauce. The embodiment of ‘sweet and smoky satisfaction’…
Dubai’s McArabia Burger
Not a burger-as-we-know-it, at all. A folded pita stuffed with 2 two grilled Halal chicken patties, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a garlic tahini-style sauce.
Filipino Chicken McDo with McSpaghetti
Seriously… A plate of standard spaghetti, topped with the island nation’s signature sweet tomato sauce. With a piece of KFC-style crispy-fried chicken on the side. The McExpression of a Filipino classic!
My take
There’s so much more out there than just burgers and fries! And how many times have I heard cries from other Fast-Foodies that they’d love to see some of the rest of the world’s faves made available here at home? Based on the lack of past responses to those pleas from McHQ, though, I’d say chances remain slim.
But we can dream, can’t we?
~ Maggie J.