This burger is the one thing that Americans should order at McDonald's in South Korea

Kate Taylor/Business Insider

• I recently visited McDonald's while on a trip to Seoul, South Korea. 
• The bulgogi burger was the best item I tried on McDonald's South Korean menu. 
• In some ways, the bulgogi burger reminded me of the iconic Big Mac. It's a compact burger, without too many toppings, that packs a punch thanks to its distinctive flavor.
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Some people might scoff at the idea of visiting American fast-food giant McDonald's while in South Korea, a country with an abundance of cheap, delicious food. 

But, I would argue that visiting McDonald's restaurants around the world offers a unique look into how the fast-food chain tweaks its menu to match local tastes. 

Overall, my recent trips to McDonald's locations in Seoul were a bit of a disappointment. The mozzarella stick-topped burger was a downright nightmare, while other aspects of the chain simply reminded me of the US. 

However, if you're a fast-food fan visiting McDonald's in South Korea, there is one menu item I would recommend you order. McDonald's bulgogi burger is the perfect example of how the chain has adapted the menu to win over locals — and a pretty tasty example at that. 

My first taste of the bulgogi burger was in the form of the egg bulgogi burger.

Kate Taylor/Business Insider

Read more: I went to McDonald's in South Korea and discovered why it's a worthy destination for any fast-food-obsessed American visiting the country

The burger, which was about the size of a Big Mac, is made with pork and flavored with a sweet sauce. First created by McDonald's to win over Korean customers, the bulgogi burger has become an iconic menu staple in South Korea.

Kate Taylor/Business Insider

The thin patty was richer and softer than a classic McDonald's beef patty you would get back in the US, with an almost velvety texture. It was covered in a goopy, sweet sauce.

Kate Taylor/Business Insider

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See Also:

• Burger King just launched a new ad campaign featuring a moldy Whopper, and it reflects a trend taking over the fast-food industry
• I've been traveling in Asia for 3 weeks amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak, and actually catching the virus is far from my biggest fear
• I compared McDonald's to the biggest fast-food chain in Korea, and the 'McDonald's of Korea' has one major advantage

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