There once was a time when McDonald’s was an all-American brand. A fast food chain that you could walk into, anywhere in the world, and order a standardised American product.
Nowadays, it’s all about glocalisation: the localisation of restaurant menu items, which operates on a global scale.
So whether you’re craving rice in Hong Kong or kebab in the Middle East, you’ll find it all at McDonald’s.
France
In the land of cheese and bread, Maccy D’s answer to the Croque Monsieur is the appetising Croque McDo.
This Francophile snackette consists of two slices of toasted sweet bread, sandwiched with ham and Emmental cheese. Delicieux.
Australia
Vegemite is such an integral part of the average Aussie diet, McDonald’s had little choice but to incorporate it into their menu.
Here you can order a savoury English muffin pasted with Vegemite – which begs the question, why no Marmite in McDonald’s UK?
Philippines
Don’t ask why, but McSpaghetti has become a popular menu staple in the Philippines.
This simple dish of noodles and sweet tomato sauce can either be ordered straight up, or as an accompaniment to fried chicken drumsticks. OK, we’re not convinced.
Russia
The two most covetable specialities on the McDonald’s menu in Russia are both deep-fried.
Choose between Brie McNuggets and McShrimps, served with a portion of cocktail sauce. Less fast food: more gourmet.
Hong Kong
Some of the more curious items to emerge from the McDonald’s menu in Hong Kong are the Rice Burger, Rice Fun Bowl, and Rice Fun Wrap.
But that’s nothing compared to the soup-like concoction of Ham N’ Egg Twisty Pasta – which they recommend you eat for breakfast.
Canada
A McSpeciality of East Coast Canada is the McLobster: a.k.a. a traditional lobster roll converted into fast-food form.
Made with 100% Atlantic lobster meat, this on-again, off-again menu item has acquired a cult following across the Eastern shores, from Nova Scotia down to Maine.
Turkey
In the land where kebabs were invented, you’d expect nothing less than for McDonald’s to patent their very own version.
Cue the McTurco: a soft flatbread wrap enveloping two meat patties, salad, and hot pepper sauce. Oh, and they also deliver.
India
The popularisation of McDonald’s in India has led to the production of several spiced-up menu items, including the Chicken Maharaja-Mac.
Vegetarian specialities include the McAloo Tikki Burger, Paneer Wrap and the idiosyncratic McCurry Pan.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
