McDonalds in India: Where's the Beef?

Westerners living in or visiting India enjoy a wonderful variety of food: dahl (a variety of spiced lentils), curried vegetables, wonderful breads baked in clay ovens, and McDonalds' fries and shakes. Yes, that's right; McDonalds in India provides westerners with a little taste of home. Just don't expect the menu to be the same as it is in the U.S. Among other differences, you won't find beef on the menu.

Diets in India are often impacted by the many different religions in India. Hindus don't eat beef, so there is no beef on the McDonalds' menu in India. Muslims don't eat pork, so the McDonalds Corporation in India is quick to point out on their website (mcdonaldsinindia.com) that not only is there no beef, there is no pork or pork byproducts in any McDonalds restaurant in India. Additionally, with the high number of vegetarians in India, about half of the menu at McDonalds in India is vegetarian, which makes it a good choice for diners who want some healthy options - whether or not they are vegetarian.

Here's a glimpse of what you can order at a McDonalds in India, along with a note about my favorite menu items that I personally consumed at McDonalds in India:

Vegetarian Fare at McDonalds in India

McVeggie™

The McVeggie ™ sandwich starts with the oh-so-familiar sesame seed bun. In between the bread, you'll find a vegetarian patty that is made from peas, carrots, green beans, red bell pepper, potatoes, onions, rice, and seasoning. This vegetarian burger is garnished with lettuce, and has mayonnaise made without eggs spread thickly on the bread.

McAloo Tikki™

Potatoes (aloo in Hindi) are a popular filling food item in India. McDonald's in India's McAloo Tikki ™ sandwich includes a patty made out of potatoes, peas, and spices. It also includes tomato slices, onions, and vegetarian mayonnaise.

Paneer Salsa Wrap™

Paneer is referred to as cottage cheese in India, but it is nothing like what we call cottage cheese here in the U.S. It is made from milk but is similar in texture to tofu. McDonald's in India's Paneer Salsa Wrap ™ starts with a small slab of paneer that has been dredged in a coating that is a cross between Mexican and Cajun in flavor. I'm not sure if it is then fried or baked, but the coating is crunchy. The paneer patty is wrapped in flatbread and topped with a salad mixture that includes lettuce, red cabbage and celery and then is finished off with vegetarian mayonnaise, salsa and cheddar cheese.

Crispy Chinese

McDonald's in India's Crispy Chinese sandwich is somewhat misnamed. It is crispy, but I'm not sure it resembles anything that I've ever eaten in a Chinese restaurant either in the U.S. or China. Nevertheless, this vegetarian patty which is topped with a creamy Schezwan sauce and lettuce is a nice addition to McDonald's in India's vegetarian menu.

Veg McCurry Pan™

I love McDonald's in India's Veg McCurry Pan ™!

If you are in the mood for something similar to pizza, but don't want a tomato-based sauce, McDonalds in India's Veg McCurry Pan ™ is a good choice. It starts with a rectangular shaped crust that is topped with a creamy sauce (made without eggs), and vegetables including broccoli, baby corn, mushrooms and red bell pepper. It is then baked until the crust is crisp and the toppings are hot and bubbly.

Pizza McPuff™

The McDonald's in India's vegetarian Pizza McPuff ™ is another favorite of mine. It also starts with a rectangular shaped crust, but instead of a creamy sauce is flavored with a tomato-based sauce and then is topped with carrots, beans, bell peppers, onions, peas and mozzarella cheese.

Non-Vegetarian Fare at McDonalds in India

Although I ate very little meat when I lived in India, on occasion I was in the mood to deviate from my regular vegetarian diet. When that urge struck, I knew that I could find something at McDonalds in India to satisfy my hunger. Here are the non-vegetarian food choices at McDonalds in India:

Chicken Maharaja Mac™

At McDonalds in India, the Chicken Maharaja Mac ™ sandwich is made with 2 grilled chicken patties and is topped with onions, tomatoes, cheese and something similar to chipotle mayonnaise.

McChicken™

If in the mood for chicken, but you want something less filling than the Chicken Maharaja Mac,™ the McChicken ™ sandwich at McDonalds in India is a good choice. It contains one breaded and fried chicken patty and is topped with lettuce and vegetarian mayonnaise. It is similar in size (but not taste) to the spicy chicken sandwich on the dollar menu at McDonalds restaurants in the U.S.

Filet-O-Fish™

The Filet-O-Fish ™ sandwich at McDonalds in India is the only sandwich item on the menu that is exactly the same as the Filet-O-Fish sandwich you might eat at a McDonalds in the U.S. So if you really want a taste of home, the Filet-O-Fish ™ sandwich at the McDonalds in India is the sandwich to order.

Chicken Mexican Wrap™

The Chicken Mexican Wrap ™ at McDonalds in India starts off with flatbread. Tucked inside the flatbread is a chicken patty that has been encrusted with a crunchy seasoning mixture that is a cross between Cajun and Mexican. It is the non-vegetarian counterpart to the Paneer Salsa Wrap. It's an excellent menu item, but if you are looking for something truly Mexican, you'll be disappointed with the Chicken Mexican Wrap ™ at McDonalds in India.

Chicken McGrill™

The Chicken McGrill ™ sandwich starts off with a grilled chicken patty that is embellished with cilantro mayonnaise, onions and tomatoes and is served on a toasted bun.

Chicken McCurry Pan™

The closest thing to Italian food at the McDonalds in India is the Chicken McCurry Pan ™. It starts off with a rectangle of dough and is topped with a tomato-curry sauce, spiced with thyme, basil, and oregano. It is finished off with chicken, bell peppers, and cheese and is baked till crisp and bubbly. Delicious!

Familiar Fare at McDonalds in India

There are a couple of things that are exactly the same in a McDonalds in India as what you would consume at a McDonalds in the U.S. The identical menu items include the Filet-O-Fish (as mentioned above), McDonald's famous fries, shakes, and soft-served ice-cream, both sundaes and cones. And of course soft drinks are available as well.

I don't eat at McDonalds in the U.S. very often, but when I lived in India, I ate there about once a week for many different reasons. First of all, when I was at McDonalds in India, I could pretend for the 30 minutes or hour I was there, that I was in the U.S. It wasn't that I didn't like India, but I did at times miss home, and McDonalds in India was one of the easiest ways for me as a foreigner to sooth my homesick tummy. I also knew that I could find a clean restroom there that might even have toilet paper - a pretty rare thing in India. That detail made it a great place to stop for a meal or snack when I was out and about for a good amount of time on any given day.

The next time you're touring India, give McDonalds in India a try. You just might stumble across a menu item you wish was served in the U.S., you'll experience the blessed relief of air conditioning and have access to a clean bathroom. All things considered, dining at McDonalds in India will likely be a pleasant experience for you.

Sources: Personal experience and McDonalds in India website: www.mcdonaldsinindia.com .