Ever stared at your favorite local fast food chain’s menu and found yourself getting bored? Do you find yourself craving fast food that’s a little unconventional?
The United States of America may have revolutionized fast food but the rest of the world is starting to catch up. And these fast food items are living proof.
From unique meal combinations to just downright intriguing takes on famous dishes, these are the 15 craziest fast food items you can’t get in the United States.
15. Mac ‘n Cheese Kentaco – KFC Singapore
KFC really knows how to push the boundaries when it comes to fried chicken. First they came out with the Double Down, then the Double Down Dog, then the Chizza, and now this. The Kentaco is exactly what it sounds like; a taco but with a piece of fried chicken as the taco shell and instead of the usual taco fix-ins, you have creamy macaroni and cheese down the middle. It’s stuff like this that makes you wonder what KFC will come up with next.
14. Jalapeño Bulgogi Hotdog – Dunkin’ Donuts Korea
Now this is how you spice up a regular hotdog with local flavor. Korea is known for their delicacies like bulgogi, which are essentially marinated slices of beef. So what would you get if you put those beef slices in a bun with hotdog and made it spicy? You’d get this east asian twist on a typical western meal.
13. Pickle Pizza – Domino’s Japan
If you thought pineapples on pizza were kinda crazy, wait till you hear about this. In Domino’s Japan, you can order a Pickle Pizza which is literally a pizza topped with tons of freshly cut pickles. It’s a mix of zesty, tangy, and cheesy flavors that pairs really well with Domino’s signature hand tossed crust. If you’re looking for a pizza that’s different from the usual pepperoni and peppers, this is a must try.
12. Chicken Maharaja Mac – McDonald’s India
Imagine a Big Mac but instead of its typical beef patties, replace them with two thick grilled chicken patties with a dash of jalapeños and habanero sauce. Plus make it twice the size of a Big Mac and you’ll get a Chicken Maharaja Mac. This huge chicken-based take on an American classic is something that you can only get in McDonald’s India and is a surefire contender for the greatest chicken sandwich of all time.
11. Dry Pork and Seaweed Donut – Dunkin’ Donuts China
The trend of introducing salty and savory ingredients to otherwise sweet desserts is definitely interesting. It’s a great way to explore which flavors actually go together. So when Dunkin’ Donuts in China had trouble getting started, they decided to expand their palate and came up with the Dry Pork and Seaweed Donut. The meaty taste of the dried pork floss complements the umami flavor from the seaweed as well as the glazed coating of the donut. It’s something that really defies expectations.
10. Mashed Potato Burger – McDonald’s China
We all know that potatoes go hand in hand with burgers since they always come with a side of fries. But have you ever tried mashed potatoes with your burger? In 2012, McDonald’s locations in China debuted this unexpected spin on a regular hamburger that includes two beef patties, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and a scoop of mashed potato. It was a runaway success and had customers overseas clamoring for this unique burger.
9. Kimchi Quesadilla – Taco Bell Korea
Who knew that Kimchi and Quesadillas are a match made in heaven? Taco Bell Korea has this regional specialty that is a perfect mix of tex-mex and Korean cuisine. The creamy cheesy goodness of quesadillas, courtesy of Taco Bell’s signature cheese melt, and the bold, spicy kick of fermented cabbages make for a memorable fast food item that you can only get in Korea.
8. Fizzy Pop Chicken – Popeyes Singapore
We’re honestly a little surprised this hasn’t made it to America yet. Popeyes in Singapore had this limited edition meal that features their signature fried chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce. But that’s not all. This meal comes with a container of “fizzy seasoning” which is similar to Pop Rocks. The exploding sensation coupled with the sauce gave the spice an additional kick and made for a truly unique fast food item.
7. Bacon Potato Pie – McDonald’s Japan
Looking for a different take on McDonald’s Apple Pie? Try this Japan exclusive variant of the dessert we all know and love. Imagine the familiar crust of a typical apple pie but it’s stuffed with a creamy potato filling, bits of bacon, and caramelized onions. It’s well known as a comfort snack around Japan and it’s hard not to see why.
6. Birizza – Pizza Hut India
Pizza Hut is fearless when it comes to being creative as shown by their willingness to come up with crazy experimental pizza flavors. This one is no different. As its name suggests, the Birizza is a combination of a Biryani and a Pizza. Pizza Hut in India introduced this back in 2013 and it just looks absolutely delicious. Curry-spiced rice with your choice of either chicken or paneer and a crust that you can dip on spicy gravy. It’s a little all over the place for sure, but it is still something definitely worth trying.
5. Shrimp and Broccoli Sandwich – Subway Japan
Japan is really on top of their game when it comes to bizarre culinary inventions that just work. Instead of the usual cold cuts, you get Shrimp and Broccoli; two things that you wouldn’t normally find on a sandwich unless you find yourself in the Japanese branches of Subway. This loaded sandwich includes shrimp, broccoli, and a whole lot of other veggies. It has since become a staple in the country with other fast food chains trying their hand at making their own version.
4. McArabia – McDonald’s Middle East
McDonald’s most interesting creations often come from their regional specialties. This take on Arabian cuisine is one of McDonald’s flagship menu items across its branches in the Middle east. Also known as the McKebab or the McTurco in certain countries, you can have this sandwich with your choice of meat: grilled beef, patties, chicken patties, or lamb meatballs called kofta. Top it all off with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic sauce inside a pita. You’ll certainly get a taste of the Middle East with every bite.
3. Garlic Meat Beast – Burger King Japan
Normally, burgers come in the form of a beef or chicken patty sandwiched between two buns. But what if you could incorporate every form of red meat into one beast of a burger? You get the Garlic Meat Beast. Exclusively available in Burger King Japan, this variation of the Whopper contains a beef patty, a pork patty, a chicken patty, lettuce, tomatoes, and slices of fried garlic. Leave it to Japan to come up with what has to be one of the craziest burgers of all time.
2. McCurrywurst – McDonald’s, Germany
Germany is known for their love of sausages so, it makes sense that their local McDonald’s would incorporate a sausage-based dish on their menu. One of their more famous offerings is the McCurrywurst.Each serving contains steamed and grilled sausage slathered in spicy tomato sauce plus it comes with a pack of either mild or sharp curry powder.
1. Cheeseburger Crown Crust Pizza – Pizza Hut Dubai
Is it a burger? Is it a pizza? It’s actually both. I never thought I’d see the day that a pizza and a burger would coexist on the same dish in perfect harmony. We’ve all heard the stories of overseas Pizza Hut branches going overboard with their toppings (looking at you Pizza Hut Taiwan), but this pizza from Pizza Hut Dubai feels more like an achievement. This just might be the pinnacle of pizza innovation. The crowning feature of this special pizza is its crust; containing actual miniature beef patties covered in cheese. So if you’re looking for a fast food item like no other that you can’t have in America, head over to Pizza Hut Dubai and ask for the Cheeseburger Crown Crust Pizza.
So these are the 15 craziest fast food items you can’t get in the United States. And speaking of over the top pizzas, bet you don’t know what are the 10 most over the top fast food items to ever exist! You can check it out here.