Source: Lotteria
When traveling in Korea, you might head into a franchise store that you are familiar with. However, you might be surprised when you notice that some of the menu items are unlike any item you have seen before!
Today, we'll introduce you to special menus that are sold in Korea at common franchises.
The main menu of the global franchises is the same in any country, but some menus are localized to suit the taste of the citizens in the country.
Let's find out what unique food combinations exist here in Korea!
Bulgogi Hamburger
McDonald's Bulgogi Burger
Source: McDonald's
Price: 2,200 KRW
This is a classic menu item in McDonald's Korea that was released in October 1997 and has remained a steady seller in Korea. Bulgogi seasoning sauce is used to suit the taste of Koreans.
In addition, McDonald's in Korea has a variety of other Korea only menus such as the Shrimp Beef Burger, Supreme Shrimp Burger, Plum Chiller!
Burger King's Bulgogi Burger
Source: Burger King
Price: 3,900 KRW
The patty that's used in Burger King's beef bulgogi burger enhances the taste and texture of bulgogi.
Eonyang-eup is a largely rural district of Ulsan, South Korea that's famous for its taste of bulgogi. It is said that Burger King has recreated the taste of bulgogi from Eonyang.
Shake Shack Seoul Style Bulgogi Burger
Source: Shake Shack
In July of this year, the limited edition 'Seoul style bulgogi burger' was released to mark the 5th anniversary of Shake Shack Burger in Korea.
Unfortunately, it is no longer available since it was as special release. It was very popular as it was a collaboration menu item with Hanilgwan, which is a famous bulgogi restaurant in Seoul.
Common Pizza Toppings In Korea
Bulgogi Pizza
Source: Domino's Pizza Korea
Price: 21,000 KRW (M Size)
Bulgogi is not only used in hamburgers, but also on pizza. In most pizza restaurants in Korea, you can easily find pizza with delicious bulgogi.
Potato Pizza
Source: Domino's Pizza Korea
Price: 19,000 KRW (M Size)
The types of pizza toppings vary greatly depending on each person's taste. In Korea, potato pizza is a classic and steady selling menu. This use of potatoes on pizza isn't unusual, but it's unique that a whole wedge potato is used as a topping.
Spicy Chicken
KFC Spicy Fried Chicken
Source: KFC
Price: 8,400 KRW (3 pc)
Fried chicken from America was recreated with spicy seasoning to better suit the taste of Koreans. Spicy and sweet seasoned chicken is sold at all chicken places in Korea, and you can even find it at KFC.
Fruit Flavored Chicken
Mexicana Fruit Flavored Chicken
Price: 2 different flavors for 19,000 KRW
This is an item that is either loved or hated! It can be a weird combination to think of fruits and chicken together, however Mexicana sells a Strawberry, Melon and Banana flavored chicken! They never fail to surprise their customers with coming out with various flavors of chicken ranging from kimchi, squid, and even coffee flavored chicken!
Source: Eyesmag
The brave souls that have tried the "Sweet Latte" flavored chicken (pictured above) stated that it tasted like warmed up Baskin Robbins, and some claimed that they no longer wanted to eat chicken after trying this menu item. However, the menu item has not been discontinued, proving that somewhere, there are those that are loyal to this item!
Ice Cream With Rice Cake
Baskin Robbins Zzon Tteok / Chal Tteok Kong Tteok
Source: Baskin Robbins Korea
Price: 3,200 KRW (Single regular)
At Baskin Robbins, you can try ice cream with rice cakes.
The Zzon Tteok flavor launched in 2018 which is black sesame ice cream with injeolmi rice cake. It's isn't available all the time, but it has been sold in stores again several times because of its high demand.
Injeolmi Flavored Desserts
Seolbing Injeolmi Bingsoo
Price: 18,000 KRW
Seolbing's Injeolmi Bingsu is a shaved ice that is sprinkled with a soybean powder and topped with chewy injeolmi rice cakes. It is their representative menu and one of their most popular menu items. Injeolmi is a traiditional Korean rice cake and you can enjoy a shaved iced version of the traditional food at Seolbing.
Seolbing Injeolmi Dessert
Price: Injeolmi Whipped Cream Omelete (2): 1,500 KRW / Injeolmi Toast: 4,500 KRW / Injeolmi Ice Cream: 4,500 KRW / Injeolmi Honey Butter Bread 6,00 KRW
Due to the popularity of the Injeolmi shaved ice, Seolbing released many different Injeolmi desserts such as the Injeolmi Whipped Cream Omelette (picture above), Injeolmi Ice Cream, and Injeolmi Honey Butter Bread! For those in Korea, we highly recommend trying at least one injeolmi flavored dessert to try some the classic Korean flavors!
McDonalds Honey Butter Injeolmi Fries
Price: 2,200 KRW
McDonald's Korea also sold a special Honey Butter Inejolmi flavored french fries until February 9th, 2022. These fries were constantly sold out and hard to get ahold of! The Honey Butter is a popular flavor that emerged in Korea back in 2014, and the chips were so popular that they were hard to get ahold of even creating a black market! These fries also were very popular in Korea!
Korean Starbucks
Byeoldabang Blend
Source: Hankyung
Price: 18,000 KRW (whole bean coffee)
In March of this year, in commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of Starbucks in Korea, a branch was built in the Myeong-dong area called Byeoldabang.
Byeoldabang is a name that's used by locals in Korea to call Starbucks. Star means "byeol" in Korean and "dabang" is a place where Koreans used to enjoy drinking coffee.
Starbuck's popularity in Korea is so big that they were given their own Korean nickname.
Starbucks launched the Byeoldabang Blend whole bean coffee, with notes of spiced chocolate and toasted chestnut. At Myeong-dong Byeoldabang branch and Ewha Womans University R store, you can taste the drinks made with these beans.
You can also order this menu through the Starbucks app for delivery.
Jeju ONLY Menu
Source: Starbucks Korea
Price: 4,900-7,500 KRW
There are Starbucks branches in Jeju Island and you can find "Jeju Only" items on the menu.
These menus use local ingredients such as Hallabong and peanuts from Jeju Island, so it tastes extra special.
Source: Starbucks Korea
In addition, you can taste unique desserts modeled after basalt and oreum (the unique terrain of Jeju Island made by volcanoes), which are often found in Jeju Island.
RTD (Ready-To-Drink) Ginseng Latte
Price: 3,000 KRW
Starbucks RTD menu can be easily found at convenience stores or marts. Among them, there is the red ginseng latte with ginseng. The combination of Korean specialty red ginseng and Starbucks is very unique.
Today, we learned about unique franchise menu items sold in Korea.
If you ever get a chance to visit a franchise store in Korea, why don't you try these items on the menu?
It will make your visit extra special. If you have any questions, leave a comment below or send us an email at spport@creatrip.com! Also, make sure to follow us on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook to stay up to date on all things Korea!
