McDonald’s Menu Items You Can’t Order in the U.S.

No matter how far you are from home, the glowing Golden Arches of McDonald’s can be a comforting sight. But depending on your destination, don’t count on being able to order all of your old stand-bys. Outside of the United States, the McDonald’s menu is full of eclectic options — some more enticing than others.

From traditional local cuisine like gazpacho in Spain and Parmesan cheese in Italy to crazier culinary concoctions like the Spicy Loco Moco burger in Japan and McSpaghetti in the Philippines, McDonald’s international menus are as diverse as the 120 countries where its restaurants are located. But don’t let the franchise affiliation fool you. McDonald’s international offerings extend far beyond French fries.

Even if you’re not a fast food aficionado, be prepared for some stomach grumbles — and maybe a few head scratches — as we explore fast food offerings from around the world. Here are 15 McDonald’s menu items that may be able to order the next time you travel internationally.

Veg Pizza McPuff (India)

The Veg Pizza McPuff is crispy dough and filled with tomato sauce, vegetables and mozzarella cheese. McDonalds / mcdonaldsindia.com

Pizza? At McDonald’s? Absolutely. Because of the absence of beef in the diets of much of India’s population, McDonald’s has adapted its menu for the country to include more alternative options. As a result, the fast food giant has made strides when it comes to adding chicken, fish, or vegetarian options to its offerings.

The Veg Pizza McPuff is just one of those menu items. The puff is made from a crispy, flakey dough and filled with tomato sauce, carrots, bell peppers, beans, onions, peas, and mozzarella cheese. Customers are so passionate about this pizza puff that there are even copycat recipes available online.

Chicken McDo with McSpaghetti (Philippines)

The Chicken McDo with McSpaghetti in the Philippines is crispy fried chicken alongside McSpaghetti topped with Parmesan cheese. mcdo_ph / Instagram

It may seem hard to believe, but McSpaghetti is a real menu item at McDonald’s restaurants in the Philippines.

While launching spaghetti dishes in McDonald’s Italian restaurants was largely unsuccessful, the pasta took off in the Philippines and is still available on the country’s regular menu. Even more surprising is that it is most often ordered as a combo option alongside the restaurant’s fried chicken.

In fact, if you were to order a one piece Chicken McDo with McSpaghetti in the Philippines you would receive one piece of crispy fried chicken alongside McSpaghetti in signature red sauce with ground beef topped with Parmesan cheese.

Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry (Canada and Australia)

During the Easter season in Canada and Australia, the Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry is a favorite treat. foodfindsgeelong / Instagram

While it’s only available for a limited time during the Easter season in Canada and Australia, the Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry really might be the holy grail of McDonald’s sweet treats.

The popular candy already has a cult following in the U.S. as well as abroad, but combine its popularity with the frosty flavors of the McFlurry and success seems inevitable. This seasonal McFlurry features vanilla soft serve ice cream mixed with chunks of milk chocolate and a swirl of creamy Cadbury creme and topped with whipped cream.

While there’s no telling if this sweet will become a seasonal tradition like the Shamrock Shake in the U.S., Cadbury Creme Egg lovers can definitely hold out out hope.

Ham N’ Egg Twisty Pasta (China)

McDonald’s Hong Kong breakfast menu features a ramen called Ham N’ Egg Twisty Pasta. McDonalds / www.mcdonalds.com.hk

When it comes to eating breakfast in China, options like soup and ramen-like noodles are common choices. So it should come as no surprise that McDonald’s Hong Kong breakfast menu features a take on traditional ramen called Ham N’ Egg Twisty Pasta.

The dish consists of twisty noodles in either a hot chicken or tonkotsu — a Japanese specialty made from simmered pork marrow or bone — broth. Small pieces of vegetables like carrots, peas, and corn come mixed with the pasta which is then topped with a fried egg and spicy sausage patty.

Hummus and Chicken Salad (Sweden)

In Sweden, the Hummus and Chicken Salad is a healthy option. McDonalds / www.mcdonalds.com

Of all the things you would expect to see on a McDonald’s international menu, hummus doesn’t seem like one of them. But at Swedish locations of the franchise, customers can order just that.

Those who opt for the Hummus and Chicken Salad will be treated to meal that looks far healthier than anything you would expect to come from under the Golden Arches. The salad features hummus and grilled chicken alongside black rice, edamame, and green and red cabbage. To finish off the dish, the salad is drizzled with a sweet and tangy chili dressing.

Ham McCroquettes (Spain)

McDonald’s across Spain, customers can order a serving of crispy McCroquettes. McDonalds / www.mcdonalds.es

When it comes to traditional tapas, croquettes are a Spanish staple. If you are unfamiliar, a croquette is a bite-sized fried breadcrumb roll that can include everything from meats and cheeses to vegetables. It’s also difficult to dine out in the Iberian country without encountering some sort of pork product.

At McDonald’s across Spain, customers can order a serving of six crispy ham croquettes. Or, if you’re looking to switch things up a bit, diners can also opt for a bucket of 10 McCroquettes and 15 chicken McNuggets.

Local Deluxe Breakfast Platter (Hawaii)

Hawaii’s Local Deluxe Breakfast Platter features rice and Portuguese sausage with one other Hawaii-specific addition. Kevin Y. / Yelp

While Hawaii isn’t technically an international destination, the tropical state does still have some menu items that differ from the rest of the continental United States.

One of these items is the Local Deluxe Breakfast Platter. This menu option features some of McDonald’s breakfast stand-bys with a few additional twists. Along with traditional scrambled eggs, the Local Deluxe Breakfast Platter also features rice and Portuguese sausage with one other Hawaii-specific addition.

It’s no secret that Hawaiians love SPAM — so much so that the canned meat has even made it on to the McDonald’s menu. In this case, it’s served as a part of the breakfast combo’s protein options alongside the Portuguese sausage.

Loco Moco Burger (Japan)

The Loco Moco Burger consists of two beef patties, a fried egg, gravy, and cheese. Mcdonalds / www.mcdonalds.co.jp

On many of its international menus, McDonald’s has adapted traditional favorites from around the world and combined them with standard fast food fare. While the Loco Moco Burger is technically inspired by Hawaiian cuisine, the popularity of island fare in Japan means that you’ll only find it on the McDonald’s menu outside of the U.S.

Loco Moco was invented in the 1940s as an inexpensive but filling food in Hilo, Hawaii. While the ingredients may vary slightly, Loco Moco typically includes a base of white rice topped with a burger patty, fried egg, and gravy. McDonald’s take on the traditional Hawaiian comfort food includes many of the same ingredients with some notable substitutions.

The Loco Moco Burger consists of two beef patties, a fried egg, gravy, and cheese. Japanese McDonald’s also offers a Cheese Loco Moco Burger and a Spicy Loco Moco Burger, which includes smoked bacon and jalapeno.

Le Grand Veggie (France)

Le Grand Veggie is served on a thick, seedy bun with a veggie patty made from French Emmental cheese and fresh vegetables. McDonalds / www.mcdonalds.fr

There are few times that the vegetarian option at a fast food restaurant looks more enticing than its meat-based entrees, but this is one of them. Not only do French McDonald’s have a much more expansive — and sweet-tooth inducing — dessert menu, but they also serve a menu item called Le Grand Veggie.

This impressive burger is served on a thick, seedy bun with a veggie patty made from French Emmental cheese and fresh vegetables. The patty is then topped with a mixture of microgreens, red cabbage, and white cabbage from Normandy. If that wasn’t enough, Le Grand Veggie is topped off with two juicy tomato slices and a drizzle of red pesto sauce. Bon appétit!

Georgie Pie: Steak Mince ‘N’ Cheese (New Zealand)

Steak Mince ‘N’ Cheese Georgie Pie is filled with a mixture of cheese and New Zealand beef. McDonalds / mcdonalds.co.nz/

Did you know that in Australia and New Zealand McDonald’s is known as Macca’s? The chain opened its first franchise in Australia in 1970, and over the years, Mickey D’s has come to be known by a different name down under.

In New Zealand, McDonald’s has also incorporated some of the country’s favorite fast food classics. Georgie Pie is a non-defunct restaurant chain that McDonald’s acquired in the 1990s. The restaurant was well-known — and beloved — for its flaky crust pies with traditional mince meat as well as internationally inspired fillings.

Today McDonald’s still serves steak and cheese Georgie Pies made from the restaurant’s original recipe. The Steak Mince ‘N’ Cheese Georgie Pie is filled with a mixture of cheese and New Zealand beef, and is baked fresh at each of McDonald’s locations daily.

Italian Mozza Salad (France)

France’s Italian Mozza Salad is McDonald’s take on the traditional caprese salad. McDonalds / www.mcdonalds.fr

If there were ever a country where McDonald’s needed to step up its salad game, it’s France. While this particular international menu still offers some of McDonald’s traditional dishes, there are also a plethora of healthier options made with more vegetables and fresh ingredients.

One of those menu items is France’s Italian Mozza Salad, McDonald’s take on the traditional caprese salad. The Italian Mozza Salad begins with a base of basil-flavored radiatori pasta mixed with arugula leaves and hunks of fresh tomato seasoned with herbs. A generous amount of buffalo milk mozzarella and a hearty drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar complete this mouth-watering salad.

Greek Mac (Greece)

The Greek Mac is served on a folded pita with two beef patties, white yogurt sauce, fresh onion, tomato, and lettuce. McDonalds / mcdonalds.gr

While McDonald’s popularity in Greece has waned over the years, the fast food chain still has a couple dozen franchises that serve both traditional McDonald’s and specialty items.

If you’re traveling in Greece, don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting a traditional burger when you order McDonald’s Greek Mac. In fact, this international menu item isn’t a burger at all — it’s a pita wrap. Made with two beef patties marinated in fresh herbs, this specialty sandwich is McDonald’s is a combination of the traditional Greek gyro and the fast food chain’s standard fare.

The Greek Mac is served on a folded pita with two beef patties, white yogurt sauce, fresh onion, tomato, and lettuce.

Poutine (Canada)

Poutine is a popular substitute for standard fries on any order at a Canadian McDonald’s. Mcdonalds / www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en

What food is more Canadian than poutine? As it turns out, there aren’t many. The savory pub fare is so ubiquitous that you can even find it at McDonald’s in America’s neighbor to the north. While several restaurants claim to hold the original recipe, poutine first entered the Canadian food scene in Quebec in the 1950s.

The McDonald’s version features the franchise’s signature French fries topped with rich gravy and squeaky cheese curds. While the menu item was only originally available at McDonald’s in Quebec, the dish was so popular that it’s since expanded to the country’s other provinces. In fact, poutine can be substituted for standard fries on any order at a Canadian McDonald’s and is a popular choice.

McD Pork Porridge (Thailand)

The Thai McD Pork Porridge is served with either shredded chicken or pork. mcdonaldsthailand / Instagram

Congee is a type of rice porridge that is typical fare in many East Asian countries. While congee may be served plain, it is often served with side dishes or add-on toppings like meat, fish, or added flavorings. In Thailand, congee is most often eaten for breakfast and is usually served topped with a raw or partially cooked egg. It is also fairly common to see Thai congee topped with minced beef or pork and chopped spring onions.

The Thai McDonald’s version of this rice porridge is not much different. The dish appears on the McDonald’s breakfast menu and is served with either shredded chicken or pork. Customers also have the option to add a fried egg or sausage patty to their meal.