'Big America' comes to McDonald's Japan. Plus bacon

10:00 AM on 12.27.2009   |   Josh Tolentino

Ah, McDonald's. It's a quintessentially "American" franchise, but global enough to develop a unique identity for nearly every market it claws its way into.

Following up on the Quarter Pounder's Japanese launch, the House of Ronald (and Mr. James) plans to distend Glorious Nippon's gut with four new Quarter Pounder varieties, all promising a uniquely "Big American" taste. Plus bacon.

The Texas Burger contains mustard relish, fried onions and barbecue sauce. Plus bacon.The California Burger combines spicy cheese, tomato slices, and some kind of red wine sauce. Plus bacon. The Burger New York is pretty much a standard burger save for the choice of Monterey Jack cheese. Plus bacon. And the Hawaiian Burger channels the classic "Loco-Moco"-style meal by using an egg and gravy sauce. Plus bacon.

I can't speak for the other regional burgers, but having moved to California relatively recently, I would argue that there's enough asian influence around here that they could sell the McRice burger instead and get a better "native" feel. Plus bacon.