7 Major Differences Between McDonald's in Taiwan and the U.S.—Free Refills Alone Make the U.S. Version Win!

McDonald's is a global fast-food chain and the leading fast-food brand in Taiwan, but have you ever thought about the differences between McDonald's in Taiwan and the U.S.? Recently, an internet celebrity known as "Columbus" shared 7 key “differences between McDonald's in Taiwan and the U.S.” based on his experience working at a McDonald's in Canada when he was 16. The biggest difference? McDonald's in the U.S. has a self-service area and offers free drink refills—features that left many netizens envious.

1 What Taiwan’s McDonald’s Has, But the U.S. Doesn’t:

Items such as pork cutlet burgers, corn soup, and breakfast toast are not available at McDonald's in the U.S. Most notably, McDonald's in the U.S. does not sell chicken wings—only chicken nuggets—so you don’t even get to choose your preferred part.

Taiwan has Chicken McNuggets, but the U.S. doesn't (Image / Screenshot via McDonald's)

2 What the U.S. McDonald’s Has, But Taiwan Doesn’t;

The U.S. offers a wide variety of breakfast options, such as biscuit sandwiches, muffin sandwiches, and burritos. Internet celebrity "Columbus" believes these two types of burgers are much tastier than Taiwan’s "Deluxe Breakfast Sandwich." Moreover, the U.S. still serves large milkshakes, which have been discontinued in Taiwan. Other differences include seven different dipping sauces for chicken nuggets, M&M's chocolate flavor for the Ice Cream Cone, and limited-time Rib Burgers.

The U.S. has Biscuit Sandwiches and Muffin Sandwiches (Image / Screenshot via McDonald's U.S. official website)

3 McDonald’s in the U.S. Has a Self-Service Area

In the U.S., you can help yourself to condiments, utensils, and napkins. In Taiwan, you have to get them from the counter, and if you want a second packet of sweet and sour sauce or ketchup, you have to pay extra.

Self-service area (Image / Screenshot via Columbus’ Original Songs + Pronunciation Library Facebook page)

4 Free Drink Refills at McDonald’s in the U.S.

In the U.S., drink machines are placed outside for customers to refill their drinks. Although the rule is usually one free refill, staff rarely monitor how much you drink, and refilling a couple of extra times is generally fine. Actually, it’s not just McDonald's—most fast-food restaurants in the U.S. allow drink refills.

Drink refills (Image / Columbus’ Original Songs + Pronunciation Library Facebook page)

5 Taiwan’s Apple Pie Tastes Better Than the U.S. Version

Internet celebrity "Columbus" believes that Taiwan’s apple pie tastes much better than the U.S. version, and Taiwan also occasionally offers limited-time "Taro Pie," which is also a great choice.

Apple pie (Image / Screenshot via McDonald's official website)

6 Different Promotional Meals

Taiwan has the “1+1=50” deal, while the U.S. has the “Dollar Menu,” where you can get various items for just one U.S. dollar. However, in recent years, the Dollar Menu in the U.S. has been discontinued and replaced with a new version priced at $1–$3.

$1–$3 Menu (Image / Screenshot via McDonald's U.S. official website)

7 Different Prices

A Big Mac in Taiwan costs NT$79, while in the U.S. it’s $5.30 (approximately NT$156.8). However, the cost of living in the U.S. is higher, so the value is roughly comparable.

Big Mac (Photo / Provided by this newspaper)