A Tasty Tour of McDonald's International Menu Options

Flickr user brunogirin
Flickr user brunogirin

American road trippers can count on McDonald's to provide a familiar, predictable meal for highway-weary travelers. East or west, you can count on a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets to battle a grumbling tummy. But if your vacation plans take you to international destinations, what was a predictable meal before you stepped on that plane can become a culture shock to the system. We've rounded up some of the most interesting meal options you can expect when dining at the golden arches overseas.

— Additional reporting by Nicole Perry and Erin Cullum

01

Italy

McDonald's introduced the Sweety con Nutella in Italy, which is a meatless "hamburger" with Nutella as the filling.

02

South Korea

You can get your churro fix at McDonald's in South Korea with a fried pastry coated in sugar.

03

Japan

Japanese McDonald's wants customers to do some of the work with Shaka Shaka Chicken: place the fried chicken piece in a paper bag, add your choice of seasonings (red pepper, lemon, or cheese), and shake it for a flavorful bite.

04

Uruguay

The Pancake Helado from McDonald's in Uruguay is a pancake filled with dulce de leche and topped with vanilla ice cream.

05

Singapore

McDonald's in Singapore has Twister Fries, its version of curly fries.

06

Canada

Order your fries as poutine in Canada, and they will come topped with gravy and cheese curds.

07

The Netherlands

A croquette of beef-stuffed potato, a popular dish in the Netherlands, sits at the center of a McKroket's bun.

08
Belgium and France
Flickr user geographyalltheway_photos

Belgium and France

If you love the creamy cheesiness of a croque-monsieur, then try a Croque McDo, filled with ham and two slices of Emmentaler cheese. In Belgium, polish it off with a Jupiler beer.

09
China
Flickr user johnjoh

China

In addition to the famed McDonald's apple pie, Chinese restaurants serve pies stuffed with sweet taro.

10
Mexico
Flickr user tinou

Mexico

Sidle up to a McDonald's breakfast in Mexico, and you can have the McMollete: English muffins topped with beans, melted cheese, and pico de gallo.

11

Cyprus

In Cyprus, the Greek Mac is essentially a Big Mac in a pita, drizzled with tzatziki sauce.

12
Germany
McDonald's Germany

Germany

While it's no longer available, Germany McDonald's has a history of crowd-sourcing menu item ideas like the Pretzelnator, a beef patty sandwiched in a pretzel bun and topped with ham, lettuce, onions, mayonnaise, and American and Italian cheeses. And for fans of the elusive McRib, you can find it year-round at German McDonald's restaurants.

13

Greece

The ham and cheese McToast is a popular offering in Greece and many other European countries.

14

India

India's famous paneer cheese makes up the meaty part of this McDonald's wrap.

15
Hong Kong
Flickr user oxborrow

Hong Kong

The kao fan burger in Hong Kong serves up a fried chicken patty in a bun made from rice.

16

Philippines

Though McDonald's isn't known for its Italian fare, restaurants in the Philippines aren't afraid to offer McSpaghetti.

17

Indonesia and Malaysia

Want something fast and comforting while in Indonesia? Order up a bowl of Buryam: rice porridge with chicken and fried crisps.

18

Italy

Il Mac may sit on desktops in Italy, but it's not a computer; these McDonald's sandwiches contain a beef patty, cheese, lettuce, and tomato hugged by a ciabatta roll.

19

United Arab Emirates

While in the Middle East, sink your teeth into a flat-bread-wrapped McArabia sandwich for a different take on McDonald's grilled chicken.

20

South Korea

In a country known for its wonderfully seasoned beef, it makes sense that South Korean McDonald's offer the Bulgolgi Burger.

22
Guatemala and Mexico
Flickr user tannaz

Guatemala and Mexico

The Pay de Queso, or queso pie, is a popular offering at McDonald's in Guatemala and Mexico.