What’s Unique About McDonald's Fries in Thailand Compared to the US?

[PatrickTyler 0]

Hai Community,

If anyone has tried McDonald's fries in Thailand and noticed any difference in taste or sweetness compared to the US version. Do they add anything extra in Thailand, or is it just the standard recipe? I used to think McDonald's fries were amazing, but after comparing them to a simple baked potato, I'm not so sure. 

Thank You.....

[awesum4 2,332]

I couldn't find anything on Thailand apart from PR crap but the USA has 8 components apart from potatoes. That includes "real beef flavour" that contains  no beef.  

Thailand is likely to have even more as there are fewer regulations.

The receipe changes around the world. Here in New Zealand they contain only potatoes, salt and 0.02% dextrose.  In India they don't contain the "real beef flavour".

 

[sailingbill 1,034]

interesting as I assumed fries were potatoes, salt and oil. Not so apparently. On my monthly departure from Swampy I always stop at a Japanese restaurant. They are kind to me providing double Bacardis and overlooking my bringing in a Whopper Junior. I tip well and undoubtedly will go home with a waitress the way I always do.  so they ignore the transgression. I realized its not the awful beef but the fresh lettuce, onion and tomato.  

[Bruce Mangosteen 538]

In the beginning, McD's fries were fried in beef tallow, giving them their distinctive flavor.  It's possible that the Thai frying oil is different from what's used elsewhere.

[PatrickTyler 0]

Thanks for the reply! It's true, fries seem simple, but McDonald's uses a surprising mix of ingredients for that signature taste. I guess it’s not just potatoes, salt, and oil—there’s probably some extra seasoning or processing that changes things from country to country.

[awesum4 2,332]

5 hours ago, PatrickTyler said:

Thanks for the reply! It's true, fries seem simple, but McDonald's uses a surprising mix of ingredients for that signature taste. I guess it’s not just potatoes, salt, and oil—there’s probably some extra seasoning or processing that changes things from country to country.

at least 6 extra things in the USA. 

What I can't work out is why anyone would want to eat McDonald's when there is so much amazing real food everywhere

[sailingbill 1,034]

1 hour ago, awesum4 said:

What I can't work out is why anyone would want to eat McDonald's when there is so much amazing real food everywhere

awesome I would agree but many times the chicken,duck .beef suck , tough and not flavorful. McDonald's is consistent.  

 

[teelack 9,640]

at least 6 extra things in the USA. 
What I can't work out is why anyone would want to eat McDonald's when there is so much amazing real food everywhere

Wisest words yet on this troubling and important subject.

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[Bruce Mangosteen 538]

3 hours ago, awesum4 said:

What I can't work out is why anyone would want to eat McDonald's when there is so much amazing real food everywhere

Although I almost never eat fast food, reasons such as speed, convenience, portability, pining for familiar flavors, and lack of reasonable alternatives in some locations, spring to mind.

On the 2 latter reasons, I worked in China for 3.5 months some years back, and the local food in that region was basically inedible.  The occasional KFC and McD's runs helped keep us sane and starvation-free.

 

 

 

Edited November 11 by Bruce Mangosteen

[teelack 9,640]

In the last five weeks I will admit that I slipped twice from my "No crap food" regime.

Mixue opposite Soi Honey. The biggest tastiest ice creams that leave McCrap in the shade. Monster soft serve ice cream 15 baht!

Then there is the donut lady outside JUJU. Two jam or custard for 20 baht. Served up in a poly carrier and plastic outer.

Great taste and super value compared to the other rubbish.

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[sinbinjack 251]

I read a piece somewhere about how McD only use a special kind of potato for their fries "McDonald’s utilises real potatoes, specifically the Russet Burbank and Shepody varieties." is this what you taste in the US that is different in Thailand

[LocalYokul 214]

 

When they switched from tallow in North America, the taste dropped off dramatically.

 

I am guessing they never stopped using it in The Land of Smiles.

 

KFC is more the head-scratcher, that stuff is inedible here, but I love a Zinger 'burger' or the Wingz Zabb.

 

[Bruce Mangosteen 538]

2 hours ago, LocalYokul said:

When they switched from tallow in North America, the taste dropped off dramatically.

Interestingly, I just saw a video featuring RFK Jr. deep-frying a Thanksgiving turkey in beef tallow, representing that tallow is healthier for you than seed oils.  

His choice of footwear does his credibility in the safety department few favors though.  

[LocalYokul 214]

 

They had to stop using the beef tallow, so their fries would be vegan.

I think 5 Guys uses Peanut Oil & they do a huge serving.

 

So many things are changing for the worse, even Rain-X, the rain repellent window dressing, is just not as good as it once was. They probably had to remove something that California's Proposition 65 determined causes cancer.

 

[jacko 8,814]

20 hours ago, LocalYokul said:

So many things are changing for the worse, even Rain-X, the rain repellent window dressing, is just not as good as it once was. They probably had to remove something that California's Proposition 65 determined causes cancer.

IIRC one of the popular UK breakfast sauces was changed to reduce the salt content, as was the mentality of the day, and it lost popularity over night. 

[la8rat 1,011]

Not sure about macky d fries in Thailand, but the KFC spicy wings were way to spicy for my delicate little taste buds.

[teelack 9,640]

The answer was on the tip of my tongue. The difference is that they are bloody expensive.

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[LocalYokul 214]

17 hours ago, la8rat said:

KFC spicy wings

I like them a lot, & I wish Kentucky-Fried in the U.S. was not so terrible.

The trick is to get the rice bowl & then after every bite of the spicy chicken, a spoon of rice to cool it down.

https://www.kfc.co.th/menu/for-one/CAT4-250-prod

 

[teelack 9,640]

Maybe the taste difference is down to the fact that they use buffalo dung on the fields? We all know that Thai buffalo are prone to illness which is why the girls ask for money for the vet.
I also assume in the countryside where there are few sanitation systems that they need to dispose of the dunny waste on the the fields. You can hardly put it in the rice paddies.


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