Buzz
Whether it's a badge of honor or a mark of shame, Americans often pride themselves on being the top consumers of junk food globally. A quick stroll down any typical American street seems to confirm this notion, but the reality is that the rest of the world is equally passionate about their love for mass-produced, indulgent treats. Major chains are well aware of this fact.
To appeal to this vast, diverse audience, fast food giants have introduced a variety of menu items designed to blend culinary styles, experiment with flavors, and cater to local tastes eager for novelty. Here, we delve into ten of the most unusual offerings from American fast-food chains abroad.
10. The Nutella Burger
If the idea of a 'Nutella burger' makes you cringe or question its very existence, you're not alone. The combination of sweet chocolate-hazelnut spread with a savory beef patty isn't exactly appetizing to most. However, McDonald's version of the Nutella burger is simply Nutella sandwiched between two buns—no meat involved—and it’s surprisingly delightful.
The treat, affectionately named *Sweety con Nutella* or simply *Sweety*, is a specialty at McCafé locations in Italy, the homeland of Nutella. While not the healthiest option, this snack has gained immense popularity, much like Nutella itself. Since its debut in 2016, *Sweety* has remained a beloved choice among customers. Unlike many limited-time McDonald’s offerings, this treat is expected to remain a permanent menu item.
9. Italian Cheese Bricks
When it comes to McDonald’s in Italy, even their side dishes offer a unique twist. While many Americans rave about the chain’s perfectly crispy and salty fries, Italians often prefer a block of Parmesan cheese. This alternative, known as *Snack al Parmigiano*, is a popular substitute for fries. Made entirely of Parmigiano Reggiano, it combines delicious flavor with a healthier profile. McDonald’s Italy has even given it the charming nickname *The Pocket Cheese*.
The *Snack al Parmigiano* is a staple side option in Italy, offering a tasty and relatively healthy alternative to fries. Made from pure Parmigiano Reggiano, it has earned the endearing title *The Pocket Cheese* from McDonald’s Italy.
8. The Chizza
Our first stop in the culinary wonderland of Asia takes us to Singapore (and surprisingly, Saudi Arabia). Here, Kentucky Fried Chicken offers a unique menu item called the *Chizza*. As the name suggests, it’s a fusion of chicken and pizza.
The *Chizza* flips the traditional pizza concept on its head by using a flat, fried chicken patty as the base. Toppings like mozzarella and marinara are added, but the most popular choices are pineapple and ham, creating a bizarre yet intriguing mix of Hawaiian, Singaporean, and Italian flavors. While it might resemble chicken parmesan at first glance, the *Chizza* stands out as a deliciously unconventional creation.
7. The Inception of Pizzas
Singapore continues to showcase its flair for extravagance at Pizza Hut with the *Double Sensation Pizza*. True to its name, this pizza features a pizza within a pizza. Surprisingly, this inventive dish didn’t originate in the U.S.
The *Double Sensation Pizza* starts with a stuffed crust filled with melted cheese that oozes from the sides. Moving inward, it’s topped like a classic supreme pizza, but halfway through each slice, a second stuffed crust appears, this time packed with cheese and sausage. The pizza continues with more supreme toppings, culminating in a center garnished with a red cherry. This creation is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds, resembling a delightful pizza sundae.
6. Pork and Seaweed Donuts
Heading north to China, Dunkin’ Donuts offers a unique and unexpected treat: dried pork and seaweed donuts. These donuts are topped with crumbled dried seaweed and pork floss, ingredients that might surprise American taste buds.
The base of these donuts also differs from the typical American version. Made with less sugar and using a yeast dough, they lean towards a savory flavor profile rather than a sweet one. Essentially, they resemble a circular bao, making them a logical choice for those who enjoy savory snacks.
5. Pumpkin Spice Fries
In Japan, McDonald’s introduced the *Halloween Choco Potato* in 2016, a seasonal offering featuring fries drizzled with chocolate and pumpkin sauces. Released in October to celebrate the Halloween season, these fries received surprisingly positive reviews for their unique combination of flavors.
The salty-sweet combination proved so popular that the treat returned for several Halloween seasons. Chocolate fries, even without the pumpkin sauce, have become a year-round staple at McDonald’s Japan. The key lies in balancing the saltiness to complement the sweetness rather than overpower it. This is one treat I might have to experience for myself!
4. All-Black Burgers
Japanese fast food is renowned, or perhaps notorious, for its *Kuro Burgers* at Burger King. *Kuro* translates to *black* in Japanese, and while the name isn’t particularly creative, it’s undeniably accurate.
The buns are charred black and enhanced with squid ink for an even darker hue. The cheese slices, infused with bamboo charcoal, are equally jet black. Even the sauce and beef patty are darkened, leaving only optional toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion untouched by the monochrome theme. This trend gained traction, prompting McDonald’s Hong Kong to introduce their own ink-black burgers and contrasting all-white versions.
3. The Windows 7 Whopper
Yes, you read that correctly. Rounding out our list is the *Windows 7 Whopper* from Burger King Japan. In 2009, to coincide with the launch of Microsoft’s operating system, Burger King Japan offered a limited-edition Whopper featuring seven patties. This promotion ran for just one week in October but has since become legendary.
At first glance, the *Windows 7 Whopper* reveals its impractical design. The two standard-sized buns were never intended to hold seven patties, let alone additional toppings like cheese, veggies, and sauces. Numerous amusing reviews highlight a few common complaints.
The *Windows 7 Whopper* was nearly impossible to keep intact and equally challenging to bite into evenly. The juices from the seven patties inevitably drenched the buns, turning them into a soggy disaster. To make matters worse, the burger came without cheese by default, and the minimal veggies only covered the top patty. As one Gizmodo reviewer aptly described it: “How does it taste? How do you think it tastes? It’s seven pieces of Burger King meat…This is meat followed by meat, washed down by meat.”
2. The Tabasco Sundae
Moving from a delightfully indulgent item, we arrive at one we hope never becomes a reality. In the U.S., McDonald’s sundaes come in classic flavors like chocolate, caramel, and strawberry—safe choices for everyone. However, in 2017, McDonald’s Hong Kong introduced a bold new creation: the *Tabasco Fudge Sundae*.
The *Tabasco Fudge Sundae* was introduced as part of a collaboration with Tabasco, designed to complement a spicy burger and fries. However, the sundae quickly became the star of the lineup. Unlike typical sundaes, the Tabasco sauce isn’t just a topping—it’s blended directly into the vanilla ice cream, creating an unexpectedly fiery dessert experience.
1. The Kit-Kat Quesadilla
Taco Bell has reimagined the quesadilla in countless ways worldwide. South Korea offers kimchi quesadillas, the Philippines serves Cheetos-filled versions, and Finland incorporates BBQ pork into theirs. However, the most unusual creation is the *Kit Kat Chocodilla*, which first appeared in the UK.
This indulgent creation features melted Kit Kat bars and chocolate chips sandwiched between Taco Bell’s classic flour tortillas. The combination of chocolate and carbs, with a hint of Kit Kat’s signature crunch, is undeniably irresistible. After tasting it, no one could argue against its gooey appeal. Recently, Taco Bell brought the *Kit Kat Chocodilla* to the U.S., starting in the Midwest, and even introduced new variations like the *Twix Chocodilla*.
