21 McDonald's menu items from around the world we wish we could try

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Meredith Cash,Anneta KonstantinidesDec 29, 2020, 23:35 IST
21 McDonald's menu items from around the world we wish we could try

McDonald's Brazil just launched a tub of cheddar cheese for all your burger dipping needs.Geekpublicitario/Instagram

  • McDonald's has more than 36,000 locations in over 100 countries.
  • But not all menus are the same — there's a variety of exciting menu options that different McDonald's locations offer around the world.
  • The McDonald's in South Korea adds mozzarella sticks and a spicy Arrabbiata sauce to the McChicken.
  • And McDonald's New Zealand has a Kiwiburger that combines egg and beetroot with the chain's classic ingredients.

With more than 36,000 restaurants in over 100 countries, McDonald's has become one of the world's most ubiquitous brands. But that doesn't mean you'll find the same dishes at every location.

The fast-food giant carefully tailors its menus to cater to the diverse communities it serves - often ending up with some pretty exciting results.

Staples like the Big Mac still remain at most of the chain's global locations, but unexpected twists on existing fare - along with surprising new additions - have also become the norm.

So before digging into your tried-and-true Quarter Pounder, take a moment to salivate over these popular dishes that have appeared at McDonald's locations all over the world.

Editor's note: This story was originally published in October 2018 and is occasionally updated. Please note that McDonald's menu items can change often, and some of the below may no longer be available (we have indicated where this may be the case for certain items below). Check your country's McDonald's website for the most up-to-date information.

Anay Katyal contributed to a previous version of this story.

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New Zealanders can start the day with a Big Brekkie Beef Burger from their local McDonald's.

New Zealanders can start the day with a Big Brekkie Beef Burger from their local McDonald's.
The Big Brekkie Beef Burger from McDonald's New Zealand. McDonald's New Zealand

The Big Brekkie Beef Burger from McDonald's New Zealand features bacon, a freshly-cracked free-range egg, cheese, and a hash brown in the middle — along with some barbecue sauce right on top.

Your burger definitely won't have a shortage of cheese at McDonald's Brazil.

Your burger definitely won't have a shortage of cheese at McDonald's Brazil.
McDonald's Brazil offers a tub of cheddar cheese to go with your burger. Geekpublicitario/Instagram

In December, McDonald's Brazil released a new side item: a big bowl of melted cheddar cheese that's perfect for burger dipping.

The 3.5-ounce bowl of cheddar cheese can also be used on fries, chicken nuggets, or whatever else your heart desires. As long as you're in Brazil, of course.

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China and Hong Kong's Taro Pie could make you rethink dessert.

China and Hong Kong's Taro Pie could make you rethink dessert.
The signature neon purple filling is what catches most people by surprise. McDonald's Hong Kong

A notable twist on one of its most classic menu choices, McDonald's locations in China and Hong Kong have long offered a neon-colored alternative to its famous apple pie.

The pie is deep-fried and filled with taro — a root vegetable popular in Asian cuisine — along with a gooey filling meant to resemble ube, also known as purple yam.

India's Maharaja Mac is the Big Mac's not-too-distant cousin.

India's Maharaja Mac is the Big Mac's not-too-distant cousin.
India's Maharaja Mac is a slight twist on the chain's classic burger. McDonald's India

During an international expansion in the '90s, McDonald's faced an Indian subcontinent whose population largely didn't eat beef, which meant either abandoning the restaurant's most iconic item or adapting it to fit local needs. They opted for the latter choice.

Made with a chicken patty, much of the Maharaja Mac remains familiar to Big Mac enthusiasts — save for a leaner patty and healthy heaping of extra vegetables.

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No one knows the convenience of the McRib like Germany does.

No one knows the convenience of the McRib like Germany does.
The McRib is available year-round in Germany. Robson90/Shutterstock

Although the McRib is finally returning to McDonald's menus in the US after eight long years, the cult sandwich is actually served year-round in Germany.

Within the McRib is a barbecue-drenched pork patty, though there are no actual pork ribs to be found.

Over in Egypt you could get McDonald's fries covered in paprika-infused cheese sauce.

Over in Egypt you could get McDonald's fries covered in paprika-infused cheese sauce.
The paprika cheese fries from McDonald's Egypt. McDonald's

McDonald's world-famous fries are smothered in a paprika-infused cheese sauce to form this tasty treat that was served at the chain's locations in Egypt.

Editor's note: This menu item was a limited-time offering and may no longer be available on menus.

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Japan's Purple McShake looks sweet but tastes savory.

Japan's Purple McShake looks sweet but tastes savory.
The Purple McShake was similar to the Taro Pie served in China and Hong Kong. McDonald's Japan

McDonald's Japan has had a slew of unique shake flavors (namely its matcha, peach, and Hokkaido melon), but the Purple McShake departed from the restaurant's usual fruity offerings. It was made with murasaki imo, a native Japanese variant of purple sweet potato that's savory in taste.

Editor's note: This menu item was a limited-time offering and may no longer be available on menus.

Bubur Ayam McD pays homage to traditional Malay cuisine.

Bubur Ayam McD pays homage to traditional Malay cuisine.
Bubur Ayam McD is McDonald's' take on a traditional Malaysian congee. McDonald's Malaysia

Originally an Indonesian variation of congee, a rice porridge common in East Asian cuisine, McDonald's introduced its own version for Malaysian customers.

Chicken strips, ginger, onion, and chilies add to the porridge for a combination of flavor and textures that are popular amongst congee newbies and lovers alike.

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If you're ever in Finland, you can try the Chicken Pizza Mac.

If you're ever in Finland, you can try the Chicken Pizza Mac.
The Chicken Pizza Mac at McDonald's Finland. Rachel Hosie/Insider

The Chicken Pizza Mac at McDonald's Finland features a chicken patty with tomato sauce and mozzarella.

Insider's Rachel Hosie tried the burger during a recent trip and discovered that it was "absolutely delicious."

"The chicken was tender, I loved the tomato sauce and the cheesy bread," she wrote. "It reminded me of a chicken parmigiana, only in a bun."

Editor's note: This menu item was a limited-time offering and may no longer be available on menus.

Celebrate American-Canadian relations with McDonald's' very own poutine.

Celebrate American-Canadian relations with McDonald's' very own poutine.
Poutine is a dish so ubiquitous to Canada, McDonald's can't miss it. McDonald's Canada

A fixture of Canadian culture, poutine is one of the most iconic dishes to hail from North America. The McDonald's version combines its signature fries with gravy and cheese curds.

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There's even a McSpaghetti.

There's even a McSpaghetti.
This is definitely not a burger. McDonald's Philippines

At McDonald's locations in the Philippines, you can order the McSpaghetti — a dish of al dente spaghetti served with tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and pieces of sausage.

McDonald's had tested spaghetti and other fast-Italian options in America in the late 1980s to little success, so anyone disgruntled by the lack of Italian fare at their local McDonald's should find some solace in the fact that McSpaghetti has since found a home.

You can get a McFalafel at McDonald's locations in Egypt.

You can get a McFalafel at McDonald's locations in Egypt.
This classic Middle Eastern treat found its way onto the McDonald's menu in Egypt. McDonald's

McDonald's Egypt serves the McFalafel: a tortilla wrap stuffed with three pieces of falafel, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, and pickles, all topped with some tahini sauce.

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You'll find the Bulgogi Burger at any McDonald's in South Korea.

You'll find the Bulgogi Burger at any McDonald's in South Korea.
The Bulgogi Burger at McDonald's South Korea. Kate Taylor/Business Insider

The Bulgogi Burger was first created by McDonald's to win over customers in South Korea, where it's since become a menu staple.

Business Insider's Kate Taylor found that the Bulgogi Burger's patty tasted "richer and softer than a classic McDonald's beef patty," and was "covered in a goopy, sweet sauce."

McDonald's pays tribute to Brazil with its Pão de Queijo.

McDonald's pays tribute to Brazil with its Pão de Queijo.
Roughly translated as "cheese bread," pao de queijo is a popular Brazilian snack food. McDonald's Brasil

Loosely translated as "cheese bread," pão de queijo is a baked, starchy cheese roll that has been a staple in Brazilian diets for centuries, earning its status as one of the country's most famous dishes.

Understanding its ubiquity, McDonald's started selling the roll at its own locations across Brazil.

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You can get the Nordic Chicken Salad at McDonald's locations in Finland.

You can get the Nordic Chicken Salad at McDonald's locations in Finland.
The Nordic Chicken Salad at McDonald's Finland. Rachel Hosie/Insider

The Nordic Chicken Salad at McDonald's Finland features chicken, cabbage, lentils, and kale.

Insider's Rachel Hosie found that the salad tastes "crisp and fresh" — but you better like mustard.

Editor's note: This menu item was a limited-time offering and may no longer be available on menus.

Scandinavia is lucky to have the Toblerone McFlurry.

Scandinavia is lucky to have the Toblerone McFlurry.
This Toblerone dessert is one of the many McFlurrys that you can't get in America. McDonald's Denmark

McDonald's patrons in Denmark and Sweden can order a Toblerone McFlurry, which combines the iconic nougat and honey-flavored triangular chocolate bar with whipped vanilla soft serve ice cream.

A regular staple of the McDonald's menu for over 20 years, the McFlurry has spawned a flurry of creative and regionally-exclusive varieties — the Toblerone McFlurry being no exception.

Editor's note: This menu item was a limited-time offering and may no longer be available on menus.

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The McDonald's Kiwiburger will have you feeling like a real New Zealander.

The McDonald's Kiwiburger will have you feeling like a real New Zealander.
The Kiwiburger from McDonald's New Zealand. McDonald's New Zealand

The Kiwiburger has been around for 30 years and will "reunite your mouth with pure Kiwiness," according to McDonald's New Zealand's website.

It features a beef patty, freshly-cracked free-range egg, sliced beetroot, tomato, lettuce, cheese, onions, mustard, and ketchup.

Carbonara fries have found their way onto McDonald's menus in Japan.

Carbonara fries have found their way onto McDonald's menus in Japan.
McDonald's Japan's take on carbonara substitutes fries for pasta. McDonald's Japan

Rather than the typical cream, Carbonara Fries' sauce is made of a three-cheese blend flavored with bacon and black pepper.

Editor's note: This menu item was a limited-time offering and may no longer be available on menus.

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Chocolate lovers are in for a treat with Singapore's line of Hershey's ice cream flavors.

Chocolate lovers are in for a treat with Singapore's line of Hershey's ice cream flavors.
McDonald's rolled out a variety of Hershey's desserts in Singapore. McDonald's Singapore

In partnership with the Hershey Company, McDonald's Singapore created the "Chocolate Hershey" series. The collection included the Chocolatey McFlurry, the Chocolatey Sundae, and the Chocolatey Cone.

McDonald's Korea combined the McChicken with mozzarella sticks.

McDonald's Korea combined the McChicken with mozzarella sticks.
The McChicken Mozzarella at McDonald's Korea. Kate Taylor/Business Insider

The McChicken Mozzarella features a chicken patty, mozzarella sticks, and a "somewhat sweet, somewhat spicy" Arrabbiata sauce, according to Business Insider's Kate Taylor.

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McDonald's in Japan often offers its Gracoro Burger in the winter months.

McDonald's in Japan often offers its Gracoro Burger in the winter months.
The Gracoro Burger debuted back in 1993. McDonald's

The Gracoro Burger features a "patty of macaroni, shrimp, and white sauce with a breadcrumb crust."

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