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Bada Ba Ba Baaaaaaa. I'm lovin' it. :) |
Have you heard? Vietnam is getting its very first McDonald's! Now I know, I know. There are plenty of nay sayers out there to discuss the ramifications of bringing in a fast food chain to a country who's healthcare system is broken beyond belief. But, after having spent a month in Vietnam, I can tell you that McDonald's is actually pretty late to the game. KFC was probably the first to make its foray into Vietnam and these days, you'll find Burger King, Lotteria, Domino's, Pizza Hut... the list goes on. It's no wonder that McDonald's eventually made its way there as I know - at least my cousins - were waiting with anticipation. The ever growing and popular youth population is hard to deny when you look at it from a supply/demand point of view. I hear that McDonald's has a very serious vetting process when it comes to determining where they want to invest their franchises. I can speculate, but I wonder what really drove their final decision.
The biggest question is what will the menu look like? McDonald's - as with most international chains - adapt their menus to the locale. The bff is constantly talking about some of the special items she remembered on the McDonald's menu in Hong Kong growing up. I was almost a little jealous I never got to experience any McDonald's "international" cuisine or anything special -- with the exception of the McRib that is.
So many questions. Not just what will be on the menu, but what will it look like? Maybe like the ones in Korea?
My, these are chic. Or maybe like the ones in Taiwan
or check out this one in Batumi, Georgia.
1. Maharaja Mac Meal, India
McDonald’s replaced the Big Mac's two all-beef patties with chicken to create the Maharaja Mac in order to cater to Indians who consider cows sacred. Although you can get the Maharaja Mac with fries and a Coke, they also offer sides like the Vegetable Pizza McPuff that are unique to India.
The McArabia Pita comes with chicken or beef patties, onions, and traditional tahini sauce on a pita bread sandwich. Don’t expect any special sides — outlets in the Middle East keep to the American classic standard with french fries and a Coke.
3. Samurai Pork Burger, Thailand
The Samurai Pork Burger from Thailand is a pork patty that comes with teriyaki sauce, lettuce, tomato, onions, and mayo. Forget apple pie for dessert — visitors to McDonald’s in Thailand can try corn and pineapple pies, which you won’t find here in the U.S.
4. McBaguette, France
French McDonald’s are unique for more reasons than just their McBaguette combo option, a sandwich that comes with a choice of breaded chicken, ham and cheese, or hamburger and is topped with two hashbrowns. The country's McDonald’s are known for being some of the most sophisticated in the world, and are designed like French sidewalk cafés. If you go to a McDonald’s in France, expect to find macarons and crêpes as well as the McBaguette and Coke combo.
5. The McFiesta Burger, Argentina
The McFiesta Burger is essentially just a regular McDonald’s quarter pounder, but with mayonnaise instead of ketchup. Sides and desserts are standard here, too, with french fries and Coca-Cola, but dessert gets a little fancier with the option of an Oreo cone to hold your ice cream.
Scandinavians are known for their healthy diets, which is why it’s no surprise that this vegetarian burger is on the menus in Sweden.The McBean patty is a blend of cannellini beans, kidney beans, onions, carrots, and green peppers, served on a bus with lettuce, tomato, onions, and a special sauce. The Swedes also took a page from Italy’s book with salad choices like a prosciutto and melon combination.
7. Bubur Ayam McD, Malaysia
This McDonald’s porridge comes with chicken strips, onions, ginger, fried shallots, and chiles. On the McDonald’s Malaysia website, it promises to be "just like mum’s cooking!" Malaysian McDonald's also offers Samurai Delights like taro pie for dessert and McFlurries made with passion fruit.
8. Chicken McDo with Spaghetti, Philippines
This popular combo in the Philippines combines a fried chicken drumstick and spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. For breakfast at a Philippines McDonald’s, one can expect traditional breakfast items like longgasnsia (sausage) with garlic rice and an egg.
9. Ham and Cheese on a Pita, Ukraine
In Ukraine, you can order a Ham and Cheese Pita, but that’s not really why this item made the list. In a combo, you can swap classicMcDonald’s fries for "country fries," which look like what we might call steak fries in the United States.
10. Georgie Pie, New Zealand
This "Kiwi Legend" was discontinued from the permanent menu, but has returned at some New Zealand McDonald’s locations. Made up of minced steak and cheese, these pies are square and can be served with other McDonald’s options like frozen Cokes.
*Source for the 10 unique McDonald's menu items: The Daily Meal
**Images courtesy of McDonald's
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