My friend from the US was craving familiar food. He walked into a KFC in Shanghai.
The menu shocked him.
Chinese KFC is not American KFC:
What they have:
• Fried chicken (obviously)
• Congee (粥) — rice porridge with pork and preserved egg, served for breakfast
• Egg tarts (蛋挞) — Portuguese-style, flaky crust, custard filling. Better than most bakeries.
• Twister wraps (老北京鸡肉卷) — chicken, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce in a thin wrap
• Spicy chicken wings — way spicier than the US version
• Rice bowls — chicken over rice with sauce
• Soy milk — breakfast drink
• Fried dough sticks (油条) — yes, at KFC
What they DON'T have:
• Mashed potatoes
• Biscuits
• Gravy
• Cole slaw (sometimes, but different)
• Mac and cheese
McDonald's in China is different too:
• Taro pie — purple taro filling instead of apple
• Corn cup — instead of fries
• Grilled chicken sandwich — with a Chinese-style sauce
• Spicy chicken wings — McDonald's has these in China. They don't in the US.
Pizza Hut in China:
This is where it gets weird.
• Full-service restaurant with waiters
• Steak on the menu
• Pasta, salads, and dessert bar
• Escargot (yes, snails)
• Durian pizza (yes, really)
• It's considered a "fancy" date spot for teenagers
Starbucks in China:
• Mostly the same drinks
• But: mooncake frappuccino during Mid-Autumn Festival
• Matcha everything
• Red bean scones
• Delivery via Meituan and Ele.me
Why fast food adapts:
Chinese consumers have different tastes and eating habits. Breakfast is huge. Rice is preferred over bread. Spice levels are higher.
Plus: KFC and McDonald's in China are seen as "safe" options — clean, consistent, air-conditioned. Parents take their kids there for birthdays.
My US friend's reaction:
"I walked into KFC expecting mashed potatoes and biscuits. I walked out with congee, an egg tart, and a chicken wrap. It was delicious. But it wasn't KFC as I knew it. It was KFC China — a completely different animal."
Anyone else surprised by fast food in China? What's your favorite localized item?
Posted on 2026-6-9 16:52:05