35 Bizarre McDonald's Items from Around the World
If you ever find yourself at a McDonald's overseas, you may be in for a surprise. Even if the golden arches look familiar, what's available inside the fast-food chain is far from it. While you can always count on a signature Big Mac, fries, and Coke being on the menu, each country boasts its unique items in addition to the classics.
From shrimp burgers to chocolate French fries, there's more to McDonald's than meets the eye—and whether we'd eat these international McDonald's foods or not, they sure are fun to look at.
And for more, don't miss these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
Bacon, Macaroni And Cheese Toastie
Where You Can Get It: Hong Kong (previously)
In 2017, McDonald's threw bacon-infused mac and cheese onto a sandwich. Macaroni and cheese already belongs on our list of the unhealthiest foods on the planet, and adding two pieces of toasted bread into the mix didn't do the sandwich any favors. It's probably a good thing this is no longer on the McDonald's Hong Kong menu.
And for more fun, don't miss What McDonald's Served When You Were Born.
Ham N' Egg Twisty Pasta
Where You Can Get It: Hong Kong
Speaking of the McDonald's Hong Kong Menu, though, there are a lot of fun options that are still available and are way different from what you'll find in the States. You might not expect to find pasta on a breakfast menu (or on any McDonald's menu), but this one looks too delightful to resist! Not into ham? This breakfast option can also come with sausage and egg toppings, or with grilled chicken as a lunch item.
Chicken & Egg Burger
Where You Can Get It: Hong Kong
Until recently, you had to hack the McDonald's menu to get chicken and egg on the same sandwich in the States. (Now, you can add an egg to the breakfast chicken sandwich at the chain.) But the McDonald's Hong Kong menu features chicken and a fresh egg, all in one sandwich. Yum!
Iced Milk Tea
Where You Can Get It: Hong Kong
Milk tea isn't as popular in the States as it is in other countries. But for places that take their tea seriously, McDonald's is there to help! You can also get hot tea with lemon and even hot water with lemon at McDonald's locations in Hong Kong.
And for more on the Golden Arches, don't miss these 30 McDonald's Facts All '80s Kids Remember.
McFloat
Where You Can Get It: Hong Kong
Seriously, why do we not have this in the U.S.? McDonald's creamy soft-serve is just begging to be made into a Coke float. Not into dairy? McDonald's Hong Kong also serves lemon coke, which is what it sounds like: soda with fresh lemon slices.
And if you're looking for something to go with that burger, here are The Best and Worst McCafe Drinks at McDonald's.
Tomato & Mozzarella Turnovers
Where You Can Get It: Italy
These turnovers—or panzerotti, as they're known in Italy—look like something you might find in the freezer aisle, not in a McDonald's. We'd try these if we were in Europe.
Gratin Croquette Burger
Where You Can Get It: Japan (seasonally)
Just like the McRib, the Gratin Croquette Burger isn't available year-round. But unlike the McRib, this creamy, crispy cult classic is made up of a fried crab and macaroni croquette between two steamed buns. It can only be purchased during the winter months, which is probably for the best as it's like biting into a whole lot of wheat flour with a side of shredded lettuce.
And if you can't resist the Golden Arches, check out these 50 Biggest Myths About McDonald's Food.
Poutine
Where You Can Get It: Canada
You may not have heard of poutine, but covering French fries in gravy and cheese curds is a Canadian staple—and McDonald's has jumped on board the trend. Although McDonald's regular fries rank pretty well on our list of the best fast-food fries, this version wouldn't make the cut.
Mashed Potato Burger
Where You Can Get It: China
If you've ever eaten a burger at Mickey D's and thought it was missing something, maybe all it needed was a scoop of mashed potatoes. As part of their Manly Man campaign in 2012, McDonald's China gave that a go. Because who wouldn't want to try fitting their mouth around a burger with two beef patties, bacon, and mashed potatoes? Oh, wait… us.
And whatever you do, steer clear of these 14 Menu Items McDonald's Employees Won't Eat.
Banana Shake
Where You Can Get It: Japan
Minions are popular the world over, and there are several Minions-themed treats on the McDonald's Japan dessert menu. There's the banana Mac Shake, as well as waffle cones with minion-printed wrappers. Banana milkshakes are on the menu at McDonald's Great Britain and McDonald's Italy, too, though they're not Minions-branded.
Baci Perugina McFlurry
Where You Can Get It: Italy
Baci Perugina is a classic brand of Italian chocolate, so it's only natural that it would be blended into McFlurry treats in Italian McDonald's locations.
McLobster
Where You Can Get It: Canada (previously)
As if maple bacon poutine wasn't enough, Mcdonald's Canada also thought it'd be a good idea to add a lobster roll sandwich to their menu. Because anyone stepping into a fast food place is looking to order lobster, right? Wrong. Even if you may have been brave enough to try this, the chain had to discontinue the summer staple due to rising lobster prices.
Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry
Where You Can Get It: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom
Here in the states, Easter at McDonald's means a minty Shamrock Shake. But overseas and across the Canadian border, spring comes with a McFlurry flavor that tastes just like a Cadbury Creme Egg. The signature vanilla soft serve is topped with egg fondant sauce and chocolate pieces. Yep, we're planning a road trip.
McChicken Mozzarella
Where You Can Get It: Korea
Have you ever wished you could order a McDonald's chicken sandwich with mozzarella sticks on top? Well, your wish is McDonald's Korea's command.
Sweet Corn
Where You Can Get It: Japan
Side salads aren't the only way to add vegetables to your meal at McDonald's Japan. If you don't want fries, you can get a side of sweet corn.
Cordon Bleu Burger
Where You Can Get It: Poland (previously)
How much meat can you possibly cram between two onion buns? The Cordon Bleu Burger tried to answer this question by piling bacon, a beef patty, and a fried chicken patty stuffed with ham one on top of the other. Arteries, it was nice knowing you.
Bacon Roll
Where You Can Get It: United Kingdom
It's unclear whether this item is for picky eaters or for someone who just really loves bacon. The Bacon Roll is exactly what it sounds like: bacon on bread, along with ketchup or brown sauce.
Black And White Burgers
Where You Can Get It: China (previously)
What's black and white and odd all over? The half-sized Black and White Burgers at McDonald's China, named for their colored buns. The black one was dyed with squid ink, and the white one was covered in black sesame seeds. And although you may have thought they were burgers, the white one is just a fried chicken sandwich. What they do have in common is a scoop of mashed potatoes and slices of bacon, because the sandwiches weren't already weird enough.
Pizza McPuff
Where You Can Get It: India
We have to hand it to McDonald's India for the name of this side dish alone. This Hot Pockets-style treat is stuffed with vegetables, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
NYC Benedict Bagel
Where You Can Get It: New Zealand
What do you get when you cross brunch with McDonald's? A bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich dripping with Hollandaise sauce. Eggs Benedict is usually served open-faced, so we have no idea why this sandwich is topped, either.
And if you're headed to McDonald's, don't miss The Secret McDonald's Trick That Will Blow Your Mind.
McRice Burger
Where You Can Get It: Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan (previously)
Even though you can only find regular buns and English muffins on the menu now, McDonald's Singapore used to sandwich its burgers between sticky rice patties. The McRice Burger was discontinued, but in its heyday, it held beef, fried fish, or fried chicken.
Sweety con Nutella
Where You Can Get It: Italy (previously)
Dubbed the Sweety, this dessert's name doesn't lie. As much as it looks like a hamburger from afar, it was just two pieces of soft bread slathered with Nutella. It's no longer on the McDonald's Italy menu, but there is a similar treat: McCrunchy Bread with Nutella.
McKroket
Where You Can Get It: Netherlands
Feeling like knocking out your entire daily salt intake in one sitting? In that case, the McKroket's got you covered. This burger doesn't look that threatening at first glance—it only consists of a croquette and mustard sauce. But there's beef stew inside the croquette that's doing a lot of damage. So unless sodium is what you're after, avoid this McDonald's Netherland staple.
Spicy Paneer Wrap
Where You Can Get It: India
This wrap features fried paneer, a popular curd cheese in South Asia, but there is even more cheese melted on top, along with veggies and a creamy sauce. It's vegetarian, but it's not healthier than the meatier options on the McDonald's menu.
McToast Chocolate
Where You Can Get It: Germany (previously)
McToast Ham, McToast Cheese, McToast Bacon, McToast… Chocolate? Most of us prefer savory flavors in the morning, but if chocolate's what you're after in the a.m., McDonald's Germany once had a toasted wheat flatbread folded over milk chocolate on the breakfast menu. It's not on the menu anymore, but you can still get savory McToasts, as well as a single-serve Nutella packet to spread on a McCroissant.
And for more discontinued items, don't miss these 19 Beloved Fast Foods You'll Never Be Able to Order Again.
Chicken McDo With Spaghetti
Where You Can Get It: Philippines
No, you didn't just step into KFC; McDonald's sells fried chicken in the Philippines. It's called Chicken McDo and it's available on its own or with rice. But why would you choose either of those options when you could have a side of spaghetti instead?
Shrimp Beef Burger
Where You Can Get It: Korea
Satisfy those surf and turf cravings with a shrimp and beef burger from McDonald's Korea. You can double up on patties with red meat sitting right atop fried fish, complete with all the normal burger fixings.
Shaka Shaka Chicken
Where You Can Get It: Japan
Would you like that with red pepper flakes, powdered cheese, or BBQ? At McDonald's Japan, you can order your chicken with flavoring on the side for a little DIY action. Just pour your topping into the bag and close it, then shake, shake, shake until your chicken is coated. Or until your arms are tired.
McNoodles
Where You Can Get It: Austria (previously)
In 2012, McDonald's spent 18 months developing an Asian-inspired dish to sell in Austria as a limited-time test dish. They imported the ingredients from Thailand, adding veggies, chicken, salad, and sweet-and-sour or curry sauce to bowls of noodles. They called the whole thing McNoodles—shocker.
Petit Pancakes
Where You Can Get It: Japan
Did you ever think you'd be able to have a cute plate of mini pancakes at McDonald's? You can in Japan, where McDonald's serves these mini versions in addition to its traditional hotcakes.
And if you're curious about how things are changing, here are 13 Things You'll Never See at McDonald's Again.
Oreo McShake
Where You Can Get It: Uruguay
Oreo McFlurries are available in McDonald's across the globe. So why aren't Oreo shakes? We'd love to get our hands on one of these.
Lipton Iced Tea McSundae
Where You Can Get It: Germany
We can get on board with milk tea, but combining tea and soft serve isn't something we saw coming. That doesn't mean we wouldn't try it!
KitKat McFlurry
Where You Can Get It: Australia
Every candy is better when it's blended into a McFlurry. That's just a fact.
Apple Fritter Donut
Where You Can Get It: Canada
The menu at McDonald's locations in Canada includes a number of delicious-looking baked treats. There are five types of muffins and five kinds of donuts! Take that, Dunkin'.
McToast
Where You Can Get It: Italy
Think of this sandwich as the McDonald's version of Uncrustables. The company website bills this ham-and-cheese sandwich as "the first (and only) round toast."
And when you're eating at home instead of at the Golden Arches, don't miss these 52 Life-Changing Kitchen Hacks That'll Make You Enjoy Cooking Again.
