By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Editorial Department, compiled and reported by Vico
Taiwan McDonald’s has introduced a boneless chicken steak in response to the local market. (Image source / McDonald’s)
McDonald’s around the world has many unique features that reflect local customs and culture. For example, in Thailand, the McDonald’s mascot is depicted with hands pressed together in a traditional Thai greeting, aligning with the common way locals greet each other. Thai McDonald’s has also sold items like “Larb Pork Rice” and “Green Curry Chicken Burger.” Due to religious beliefs, most Indians do not eat beef or pork, so Indian McDonald’s naturally excludes beef and pork burgers — all burgers are primarily chicken-based, such as the McChicken, and there are even vegetarian burgers with mashed peas as the main filling. Japan’s McDonald’s is always full of marketing creativity, offering a wide variety of localized menu items such as fried chicken korokke, shrimp burgers, and the most iconic Teriyaki Pork Burger, which was also once sold in Taiwan as part of Combo Meal #4, though it has since been discontinued.
The Thai McDonald’s mascot with hands pressed together is a signature element of McDonald’s localization. (Image source / THAILAND MACDONALD`s)
Since the majority of Malaysians are Muslim, local McDonald’s outlets also offer “Halal certification,” catering to the local preference for rice dishes by launching “McPorridge,” a comforting rice porridge with a homemade flavor — a first for McDonald’s worldwide. Hong Kong McDonald’s naturally includes representative Hong Kong dishes — “Macaroni,” such as Chicken Macaroni (Grilled Chicken Twist Macaroni) and Pork Macaroni (Pork Chop Egg Twist Macaroni), which are very characteristic of Hong Kong and align with the local habit of eating macaroni for breakfast.
The porridge dish launched by Malaysian McDonald’s. (Image source / MALAYSIA MACDONALD`s)
The macaroni meal items launched by Hong Kong McDonald’s. (Image source / HONG KONG MACDONALD`s)
Taiwan McDonald’s boneless chicken steak (boneless chicken thigh steak), tailored for the Taiwanese market, is priced at NT$55 for a single item or NT$49 as an add-on to a meal set. There are also combo options such as the “Big Bold Trio” that includes apple pie and chicken nuggets. Aside from giving local consumers a fresh taste, international visitors to Taiwan might also want to try McDonald’s Taiwan-localized menu offerings.