Here's How Indian McDonald's Are Different From American Ones

We have pizza, piri piri, and paneer!

Hi there! In case you didn't know already, Indians love fast food. And to that end, McDonald's is very popular (and also very different) in India.

Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images

McDonald's in India does not serve beef or pork for religious reasons and you'll find a gazillion vegetarian options on the menu. Interestingly, the restaurants also have separate sections in which vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are prepared.

Local flavours have inspired so many dishes at McDonald's that it's easy to forget that it is a global corporation and not an Indian fast-food restaurant.

Instagram: @socializingfood

And this makes us SO MUCH better than the American McDonald's! Let us give you examples:

1. We have the McAloo Tikki Burger.

instagram.com

Perhaps the most 'local' item on the menu of McDonald's India, the Aloo Tikki Burger is a humble potato and pea burger with tons of desi spices and a generous topping of tomatoes and onions, all smothered in a tangy mayo sauce.

Launched in 1998, the McAloo Tikki Burger continues to be one of McDonald's cheapest (₹47) and the most popular offering in India. Who knew that a simple, no-fuss potato patty could become a phenomenon of sorts?

2. McAloo Tikki is such a staple that we also have a Mexican version of it.

Instagram: @veggiecravings19995

We told you that the McAloo Tikki Burger was ridiculously popular in India! The Mexican version comes with servings of jalapeños and an 'Indo-Mexican' marinara sauce.

We also have Mexican Cheesy Fries and a Mexican Aloo Wrap in case you're wondering just how obsessed we are with those flavours, and potatoes.

3. We also have Shake Shake Fries.

Instagram: @mumbai.nightlife

While there is nothing particularly 'Indian' about Shake Shake Fries, its popularity is probably what makes it a very desi staple. You basically order some good-old McDonald's fries, dump them in a paper - 'shake shake' - bag, sprinkle some tangy and spicy piri piri seasoning, and mix it all together by vigorously shaking the bag. Voila! You have delicious Shake Shake Fries that are dying to play with your tastebuds.

These are also available in several Asian markets like Hong Kong and Philippines and come in exciting flavours such as ramen and creamy truffle!

4. And then we have the McSpicy Paneer!

Instagram: @foodgasm98

Just so you know, Indians, especially vegetarian North Indians, love paneer or cottage cheese. It is our go-to replacement for meat and chicken. Therefore, finding a paneer burger on the menu of Indian McDonald's should come as no surprise. This one has a crispy exterior that, as the name suggests, is SPICY! 🔥🔥🔥

5. And since we're so obsessed with paneer:

Instagram: @abhishek_saxena_26

We have a LARGE wrap version of the McSpicy Paneer burger.

6. Speaking of spicy burgers and wraps:

Instagram: @headovermeals_smara

Don't worry, a lot of us are vegetarians but many others love their chicken. So here's presenting the yummy, juicy chicken counterparts of the McSpicy Paneer burger and wrap!

7. India is a proud lover of the Veg Pizza McPuff.

Pinterest

If you're craving pizza and the nearest fast-food outlet only happens to be a McDonald's, you won't be disappointed. The steaming Pizza McPuff, is essentially a small pizza...er...puff that comes filled to the brim with vegetables like onions, carrots, and bell peppers along with some generous dollops of tomato sauce and mozzarella. It is the perfect snack and VERY tasty!

8. And the Dosa Masala Burger. Or is it?

Amith 🇮🇳 @amithpr

Masala Dosa has competition from McDonalds. What have we not seen?

03:46 PM - 12 Jan 2020

McDonald's probably thought it was doing God's work by taking the many wonderful flavours of a masala dosa and amalgamating it with a French brioche, but this experiment did not impress many of its Indian customers. While some think that the Dosa Masala Burger is downright magical when it comes to taste, several others equate it with blasphemy.

9. We can boast of Masala Scrambled Eggs on our menu.

McDonald's India

Breakfast, for a lot of Indians, is often synonymous with bhurji pav or scrambled eggs that have tons of masala (spices) and come with a serving of warm, buttered bread. Trust McDonald's to replicate this street-food favourite almost perfectly and sell it for probably five times the price.

10. And we take immense pride in The Maharaja Mac.

instagram.com

If you're visiting an Indian McDonald's, you can also get the Indian version of the Big Mac (minus the beef, of course), which is known as the Maharaja Mac. It is a massive burger, and comes with three buns and two delicious patties, which could either be chicken or made with vegetables. It is just as popular as it is filling. YUMMY IN MY TUMMY!

It is also supposedly the least expensive Big Mac in the world!

11. We have an Aloo Naan!?!

upinthenusair.com

Naan is so synonymous with India that McDonald's decided to integrate it in its menu and put an aloo kebab patty in it that is pretty, if not truly, chatpata (spicy and piquant)!

12. And we also have Kebabs.

Instagram: @love_for_foooood

Speaking of kebabs, we also have some mouth-watering chicken kebab burgers AND wraps, here in India.

13. You can also get Rice Bowls at McDonalds India.

Instagram: @souls_with_delicacies

Catering to yet another Indian obsession - rice - these bowls are cheesy, spicy, and basically yum! They come with tons of vegetables such as peas, corn, carrots, and zucchini, along with chickpeas and kidney beans! The flavours are inspired by, no prizes for guessing - Mexico and Italy.

P.S: You have the option of adding chicken strips to your rice bowl in order to make it more heavenly.

14. And Masala Potato Wedges.

Instagram: @foodiefrombengaluru

These are simple potato wedges, but with masala. Delish!

15. Once upon a time, we also had something called a Phirni McFlurry!

Instagram: @thesassyfanaticfoodie

While it is not a part of the McDonald's India menu anymore, Phirni McFlurry, was a novelty, at least for the short while that it lasted. It was essentially a mixture of vanilla ice-cream with phirni, or rice pudding, and was heavenly, creamy goodness.

However, several Indians found it weird because, well, it does sound like a very unlikely combination that some people just can't digest.

16. And finally, when it comes to beverages from McCafe, McDonald's does have a 'Masala Chai Latte' on its menu. But not many Indians are fond of the atrocity that fast-food giants tend to dole out in the name of Chai.

Akku 🌸 @luknawii_ladki

I would rather go on a chai ki tapri instead of McDonald's on my date 🌸

09:02 AM - 08 Dec 2017

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Now watch: I Tasted Everything From McDonald's India