DAILY DIRT: Don’t expect the same menus at McDonald’s found around the world

June 4, 2025 | By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

Daily Dirt for Wednesday, June 4, 2025

That Chinese double burger sounds kind of intimidating … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,305 of The Daily Dirt

1. Welcome to Day 2 of The Daily Dirt’s inaugural “Cuisine Week”.

Today we’re inspecting five of the strangest items McDonald’s has on its menus around the world:

1. Bacon, Macaroni and Cheese Toastie, United Kingdom: Included in this stuffed, overflowing sandwich are macaroni, cheese, bacon and two thick servings of bread (looks like sourdough in the pictures). It is toasted until golden brown and quite gooey.

Interestingly, McDonald’s in the UK have quite a few different servings from those found across the pound, most notably:

KitKat Ruby Chocolate McFlurry. The KitKat idea sounds very interesting.
McPlant, a vegan burger.
Mozzarella Dippers (three sticks of mozzarella cheese, coated in bread crumbs with salsa dip).
McSpicy, a chicken sandwich described as “hot and spicy”.
Veggie Dippers (a concoction of red pepper and sun-dried tomato pesto, all coated in crispy bread crumbs).
Toffee Apple Doughnut, which is basically a “ring doughnut filled with toffee apple compote, topped with crumble pieces and toffee sauce”.
Pineapple Stick, which is … “a sweet and juicy stick of pineapple”. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sweet Curry Sauce, which is popular to use with fries and similar items.
French Fries, which in the UK lack the seasoning of their American counterparts. Very pale and not the traditional golden brown style found in the U.S.

2. McAloo Tikki, India: This vegetarian delight (their words, not mine) features a spicy potato and pea patty served with a special mayonnaise sauce. The aforementioned sauce is a orange-ish in nature, so who knows what the “special” ingredients might be.

3. Bubur Ayam McD, Malaysia: It’s essentially a chicken porridge, served with ginger, scallions, fried shallots (scallops) and a spicy sambal sauce. It’s labeled as a “warm and comforting option” for those seeking something different. Ummm … just gimme a Big Mac. By the way, that sambal sauce is a condiment derived from chili peppers combined with shrimp paste, garlic, ginger, sugar, vinegar and other ingredients.

4. Sausage and Double Beef Burger, China: This is definitely not the faint of heart, featuring two beef patties, two sausage links, cheese, lettuce and mayo. No word if there is a tariff on this big boy.

5. Span Musubi, Hawaii: This is a slice of grilled Spam on a block of rice wrapped inside seaweed. It’s one of the most popular items across the Hawaiian Islands. Go figure.

Honorable mention: McLanche Feliz De Camarao Com Arroz, Brazil: I’m told this is the equivalent of a Brazilian Happy Meal, but it’s entirely different from what we’re used to in America. A breaded shrimp patty is the center of this offering, showcased on a bun with rice and fries

In addition, here are some side dishes at McDonald’s around the world I found interesting:

McChoco Potato, Japan: This consists of McDonald’s fries drizzled with two types of chocolate sauce
McGazpacho, Spain: A chilled, tomato-based soup serve in a cup, described as a refreshing change from traditional fast-food items”.
McPaneer Royale, India: Paneer is Indian cottage cheese that is one of the most popular ingredients in Indian cuisine. A paneer patty with lettuce and special sauce has made it an extremely popular menu choice.
McMollete, Mexico: A breakfast option, featuring refried beans, cheese and pico de gallo on an English muffin.
McArabia, United Aram Emirates: It’s a wrap that features grilled chicken, fresh vegetables and tahini sauce all wrapped in flatbread.

Coming on Thursday: Some of the strangest food combos you have probably never heard much about, but are uber popular in other regions of the planet.

2. Did you know (Part 385)

That McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets have four specific shapes: boot, ball, bone and bell.
That a pomegranate can hold up to 1,400 seeds.
That hot water freezes faster than cold water.
That ants only rest for about eight minutes every 12 hours.
That McDonald’s uses about 10 million gallons of milk per year.

3. This week’s celebrity birthdays:

Singer Tom Jones will be 85 on Saturday. And still going strong, having tours scheduled this year for the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.
Actor Liam Neeson turns 73, also on Saturday. I don’t think Neeson has ever made a bad movie.
Singer/actress Nancy Sinatra will be 85 on Sunday. Those boots are still made for walkin’.
Sportscaster Dick Vitale turns 85 on Monday. So happy to hear Dickey V. has beaten cancer — again.
Former NFL quarterback Joe Montana will be 79 on Wednesday. Who followed Montana as 49ers quarterback? If you said Steve Young you would be correct.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Can you order a quarter-pounder with the only cheese in Malaysia?