Food Review: McDonald's Spicy Korean Burger

So the latest food craze (because in Malaysia, 90% of the things that go viral are food-based) is McDonald's Spicy Korean Burger. It was so popular, that it was temporarily unavailable for a while. The first time I had it was on a trip to Pahang, and I had half the burger after my mom and aunt decided to have a "bite" (equals half the burger). To my recollection, my half of the burger tasted quite good even though I only ate it 30 minutes after purchasing it.

So when I wanted to purchase it again, the burger was unavailable. I was quite happy to hear the news that it was available again, so I headed to McD to tapao the lunch meal.

By the time I returned to my office, the chips/ fries looked exactly like the photo, the drink had melted slightly so it was more pale, and the burger was waiting to be unveiled...

Messy. Sloppy. Full of crunchy veggies as seen in the photo. The charcoal bun is as black as in the photo. There was sauted onions and some bright orange sauce slopped onto the burger.

My first bite into the burger was as memorable as the first time I had it. 

• The beef patty was still warm and juicy. It was quite thick, and not thin as other regular burgers. The burger patty itself was full of spice and flavour, so you could have Oriental influences in every bite.
• The sauce was, I'm sure, kimchi-inspired. To me, it reminded me of the Samyang noodles. The spice level increased more and more with every bite. Suddenly, the spice had creeped up to me, and hit me smack, bang, on my tongue, to the point where I turned to my collegue and said, OMG IT'S REALLY SPICY. Do bear in mind that after I gave birth, my spice level somehow reduced and I tend to find food that I would normally find not spicy (prior to giving birth) now spicy.
• The vegetables consisted of crunchy lettuce head and purple lettuce, with julienned carrots to add a much needed crunch to the burger and also to cool down the spice from the sauce. 
• The saluted and caramelised onion added a touch of sweetness to the burger, adding a great balance of sweet to the savoury dish.
• The charcoal burger itself was a regular burger bun, except for the colour, reminiscent of the charcoal colour. 
• As you can see from the photo below, eating the burger was a messy affair, with the sauce dripping everywhere.

On a side note, my friend Ida pointed out to me that they did a clever marketing ploy, imitating famous Korean posters when promoting their burgers.

 

Left: McD poster. Right: Original K Drama is Boys Over Flowers

Left: McD poster. Right: Original K Drama is My Love From The Stars

Left: McD poster. Right: Original K Drama is Descendants of The Sun

Creative, huh?

Rating:

1. Variety: N/A
2. Taste: 4/5
• It was spicy for sure, but each bite was a lovely harmony between all the saltiness of the beef, the freshness of the veggies and the sweetness from the sauted onions. The sauce added that Asian kick of Korean spice to the burger.
3. Value for Money: 3.5/5
• I do believe paying RM 16++ for a burger set from a fast food restaurant is a tad pricey, even if the burger was big.
4. Cleanliness: N/A
5. Service 5/5
• Burger was receiving in less than 5 minutes of ordering and paying for the burger. Tip top fast service.
6. Overall: 4/5
• I would have the burger again. However, I do wish they had a poultry version of the burger to appeal to Malaysians who can't eat beef during to religious purposes.

Spicy Korean Burger @ McDonalds, Nationwide @ Malaysia
Address: http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/promotion/article/latest-news-spicy-korean-burger-is-back

Website: http://www.mcdonalds.com.my
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/My.McDonalds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcdonaldsmalaysia/

*This post was not sponsored or endorsed by McDonald's or any of its' subsidiary companies.