McDonald's from Around the World
by Bianca Fu Lok Yi from 6E
Everyone loves to eat McDonald's all over the world because it’s quick, tasty and extremely affordable. Although everyone has eaten McDonald's before, and it’s mainly known for serving fries, burgers and soft serve, there are also special or limited-time menus in different areas.
Japan
Japan’s McDonald's serves regular menu items that every country has, but they serve other special items too. Such as the Samurai Mac burger, the Gohan burger, the Bacon Potato Pie and the Shaka-Chicki. A Gohan burger is a burger, but the buns are replaced by gohan, which is rice and tastes like rice but with a slightly burnt taste, and it’s golden brown and crispy too. Other than Gohan, they also have another menu item which I think is very special too, the Sanrio collaboration drinks, because they are limited time and also refreshing.
Hong Kong
McDonald's in Hong Kong always collaborates with cartoon companies, influencers and movies that are popular at that time. For example, there has been a Super Mario Galaxy movie collaboration, and McDonald’s is starting to serve a special limited-time menu which includes a caramel sundae with star pops, which is a regular ice cream sundae with star-shaped cereal and caramel; star-shaped hash browns; the orange punch, which contains some fruit bites inside of the drink; and also honey McWings. People would get into lines just to get the McDonald’s toys and resale them or for content only, which I think is not very good because those toys were designed for kids who got their happy meals instead of selling them. Fun facts: the world's busiest McDonald's location is in Hong Kong, according to the internet, and also McDonald’s in Hong Kong also offers wedding packages.
India
Some think that India didn’t have McDonald’s, but not only that, India also has McDonald’s like any other country in the world, but it also has a lot more special items that are unexpected to have. In India, they serve vegetarian items, such as the Veg Surprise Burger, McVeggie, McAloo Tikki Burger and masala chai. In my opinion, I think that the McAloo Tikki burger is the most interesting on the whole menu because the meat patty is replaced by a crispy potato patty and other more special seasonings, which I think sounds amazing. When I was viewing their menu, I didn't see any items that came with beef. It's because many Indians are Hindus, because cows are considered sacred, representing life, motherly care, and divinity in Hinduism.
Italy
Last but not least, Italy. Now, Italy has some of the most unexpected items in McDonald's, for example, Parmigiano Reggiano and tiramisù. For those who don’t know what Parmigiano Reggiano is, it is just a small bite of cheese and also the cheapest item on the whole menu. For banana lovers, they serve banana milkshakes here. According to food reviews that I have found online, it tasted like vanilla ice cream with a little banana syrup mixed in.
Some believe that McDonald's is just some ordinary junk food restaurant that serves some of the most unhealthy food in the world, but I think that it’s good to try everything and discover more about the good foods around you.