One of the best things about travelling is experiencing the local cuisine. And that includes the local fast food. Every seasoned traveller worth their salt knows the particular joys of exploring the McDonald’s menu at each new country they visit. 

It’s certainly not hard to find a Golden Arches while travelling – there are around 40,000 McDonald’s restaurants in more than 100 countries across the globe, including at many airports. And each nation has its own unique take on a Macca’s menu. From prawn burgers in Japan and sausage and egg breakfast pasta in Hong Kong to a McFalafel in Egypt and a Stroopwafel McFlurry in the Netherlands, there’s a whole world of flavour to explore in a very familiar red and yellow environment that always has fries. 

Needless to say, not every menu item is going to be to everybody’s taste (we’ll pass on the Cottage Cheese & Radish McMuffin, thanks, Poland), some are well worth making the stop for. But which ones? Online holiday booking service Travel Republic has analysed global search data on Google and TikTok to discover the most popular international McDonald’s menu items that are exclusive to particular regions, so you can decide whether to pop in for a bite on your next trip overseas. 

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The top 10 trending international McDonald’s menu items

10. Taro Pie, Asia

This crispy pie with its purply pink filling was first introduced to Chinese McDonald’s before being added to other Asian restaurants, as well as Hawaii McDonald’s. It’s occasionally offered as a special menu item at other selected US McDonald’s, too. 

Credit: Instagram

9. McBaguette, France

Coming in at equal eighth place on Google and TikTok search volume figures is the McBaguette. Featured in the hit series Emily in Paris, this is actually a real thing. It’s a baguette (mon dieu!) filled with two beef patties, mustard, two slices of Emmental cheese and lettuce. But apparently it’s only been offered as a limited-time item. Fun fact: the French call Macca’s ‘McDo’. 

Credit: Instagram

8. Maharaja Mac, India

Also at equal eighth place is the grandly named Maharaja Mac. It’s basically the Indian version of our Big Mac. As many Indians don’t eat beef for cultural and religious reasons, the McDonald’s here don’t serve any beef products, so the Maharaja Mac is available with chicken or cheese and corn patties and a habanero sauce. 

7. McToast, Italy

At equal sixth place on the list is the McToast. For something with such an unexciting name, this is actually rather yum. Pretty much like all food in Italy. It’s just a round toasted bun with a slice of ham and two slices of melted cheese, but sometimes the simple things in life are the best. And cheese always makes everything better. But as you read on, you’ll discover it’s also extremely similar to another trending menu item. 

6. Bulgogi Burger, South Korea

Also at equal sixth place is South Korea’s Bulgogi Burger. This comprises a pork patty with a moreish sweet and savoury bulgogi sauce, lettuce and mayo. You can also opt for a Double Bulgogi Burger, or just become completely bewildered by the enormous range of burgers on offer at South Korean Macca’s. They’ve got everything from an Iksan Sweet Potato Mozzarella Burger to a McSpicy Shanghai Burger. Definitely requires a follow-up visit so you can try them all. 

Credit: Instagram

5. McAloo Tikki, India

This vegetarian favourite features a spiced potato and pea patty, paired with tangy tamarind-style sauce, onions, and tomatoes. With 3,600 searches on both Google and TikTok each month, the burger has particular global intrigue among vegetarians and other curious foodies. As beef is not served in Indian McDonald’s locations, this plant-based offering is a mainstay on the menu.

4. Greek Mac, Greece

Ranking fourth, the Greek Mac is what happens when McDonald’s meets Mediterranean street food. This burger replaces the standard sesame seed bun with warm pita bread, and is stuffed with beef patties, fresh lettuce, tomato, onions and tzatziki sauce. With 5,400 searches on Google and 3,600 on TikTok each month, it’s clear that holidaymakers are drawn to this fusion of global fast food and regional flavour. 

3. McSpaghetti, Philippines

It might sound like a myth, but McSpaghetti is very real – and very popular in the Philippines. This unlikely menu item takes third place, thanks to 5,400 monthly Google and 4,400 TikTok searches. Served with a sweet-style tomato sauce, sliced hot dogs, and grated cheese, McSpaghetti is often part of a combo meal that includes fried chicken (Chicken McDo). While it may surprise international audiences, it’s a nostalgic staple for Filipinos, and a blatant copy of popular Filipino fast-food chicken chain Jollibee’s Jolly Spaghetti. 

2. McKroket, Netherlands

The McKroket is probably one of the most distinctive burgers on any McDonald’s menu. Exclusive to the Netherlands, it features a deep-fried ragout (meat stew) croquette patty, oozing with creamy filling and paired with tangy mustard sauce – all tucked inside a traditional burger bun. A staple of Dutch cuisine reimagined as fast food, it’s no wonder this item recently racked up 11,000 total monthly searches across TikTok and Google, and continues to pop up across ‘weird McDonald’s orders’ TikToks.

1. Croque McDo, France

With the highest Google and TikTok monthly search volume, the Croque McDo is the undisputed champion of international McDonald’s. A twist on the French croque monsieur and eerily similar to Italy’s McToast, this toasted sandwich that gets its name from the French slang for Macca’s features layers of Emmental cheese and ham pressed between two slices of soft white bread – no burger bun in sight. 

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