How Korea is Destroying American Fast Food!!

Key Concepts

• Korean adaptation of American fast food
• McDonald's as a baseline for fast food localization
• Bulgogi burger
• McChick Mozzarella
• Shanghai Chicken Snack Wrap
• Kimchi integration into Taco Bell menu
• KFC's unique offerings in Korea (beer, gravy tower, fried chicken skin)
• Loia's unconventional fast food creations (squid burger, long cheese stick, fried file fish)
• Hanu (Korean Wagyu)

McDonald's: Calibrating Fast Food Damage

The video begins with a visit to McDonald's in Seoul to assess the extent of American fast food adaptation in South Korea. McDonald's serves as a baseline to gauge how much the local palate has influenced the menu.

• Hot Dog: The presence of a hot dog on the menu is immediately flagged as unusual. The hot dog bun with sesame seeds is also noted as a departure from the norm.
• Ordering Kiosk: The availability of ordering kiosks is highlighted as a convenience for both foreigners and Koreans.
• Bulgogi Burger: This burger features a beef patty, lettuce, and a thick black sauce. Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish of thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. The sauce is the most bulgogi-like element, resembling teriyaki.
• McChick Mozzarella: This includes a fried chicken patty, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, and two mozzarella sticks. The sauce is overpowering the cheese flavor. The suggestion is to double the mozzarella sticks and separate the cheese and sauce.
• Shanghai Chicken Snack Wrap: Contains bacon, chicken, lettuce, and mayo. The presenter finds the name misleading as it doesn't taste particularly Chinese.
• Strawberry Oreo McFlurry: Features chunks of strawberry and strawberry syrup.
• Metal Utensils: The use of metal forks and spoons is noted as a sign of a high-trust society.

Taco Bell: Kimchi Infusion

The video then moves to Taco Bell, a relatively recent addition to the Korean fast food scene. The key feature here is the integration of kimchi into the menu.

• Kimchi: Kimchi is described as spicy fermented cabbage, a staple in Korean cuisine.
• Kimchi Cheese Burrito: Features chicken, kimchi, sauce, cream, cheese, and rice.
• Kimchi Fries: Taco Bell in the USA doesn't have fries. The fries are topped with chicken, tomatoes, sour cream, melted cheese, and kimchi. The sauce is spicy, similar to fire sauce.
• Kimchi Cheese Quesadilla: Contains cheese, chicken, and kimchi.
• Choco Dia: A chocolate quesadilla, described as a small tortilla shell filled with chocolate spread.

KFC: Korean Fried Chicken and Beer

The next stop is KFC, where the focus shifts to fried chicken and unique menu items.

• Beer: KFC in Korea serves beer, unlike in the USA.
• Upgravy Tower: A sandwich with gravy sauce, hash brown, mashed potatoes, sliced cheese, chicken fillet, and pepper dressing. Described as "Thanksgiving between two buns."
• Zinger Double Down Tong Daddy: Uses two pieces of fried chicken as the buns, with bacon, a hash brown, and cheese in between. "Tonga" means whole and "daddy" means thigh.
• Fried Chicken Skin: Crispy, greasy, and seasoned perfectly.
• Salsa Sauce: Available at KFC, but not at Taco Bell.

Loia: The Unconventional Korean Fast Food Chain

The final destination is Loia, a Korean fast food chain known for its unusual creations.

• Loia's History: Described as a Korean person's hallucination of fast food.
• Protein Drink Cereal (Diet Coach): A 200-calorie liquid with 22 grams of protein.
• Natural Cheese Stick (Long Cheese Stick): A long, greasy, cheesy cheese stick with a crunchy exterior.
• Fried Bile Fish (Fried File Fish): A dried-out piece of fish with breading, similar to dried squid snacks.
• Double Hanu: Hanu is Korea's version of Wagyu beef.
• Squid Alive Burger Hot: A burger with squid, but unavailable at the time of the visit.
• Mozzarella Burger: A beef patty with a patty of mozzarella.
• Squid Burger: Features fried squid tentacles and a patty made from squid. The patty is unnaturally orange. The sauce is sweet and spicy, similar to Korean fried chicken sauce.

Conclusion

The video concludes that American fast food in South Korea is being "destroyed" in a positive way through localization and unique menu innovations. Taco Bell's kimchi integration is highlighted as a standout example. Loia is recognized for its unconventional and sometimes bizarre creations, pushing the boundaries of fast food. The presenter expresses a desire to bring the Korean Taco Bell experience to the USA.