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When I travel, I’m all in on trying the local cuisine; the favorite spot of the locals, the hole-in-the-wall that gets foreign attention from online reviews, and, certainly, Michelin-rated restaurants when the occasion demands it.
But whether I’m traveling for business or leisure, it doesn’t always allow for a three-course meal or a reservation booked months in advance. Unexpected changes in itinerary happen more often than not. And that’s when a good ally steps up when hunger strikes: fast food chains… and, why not? Convenience stores.
You might be thinking, “I flew across the ocean—I’m not eating something I can have any Tuesday at home.” I get it. I’m not trying to convince you…or maybe am I?
Beyond convenience—which I’ll discuss in a minute—the main idea behind eating at fast food chains abroad is this: the menu often has items you’ll never find back home.
Just to name a few:
Even when the items are “the same,” the flavors aren’t. A Domino’s pizza in India doesn’t taste like a Domino’s pizza in the U.S. Same with KFC—the chicken might look similar, but it’s seasoned for the locals.
Then there are the sides and sauces. In the U.S. you’ve got buffalo, BBQ, ketchup, mustard, and so on. In Mexico, McDonald’s has green spicy sauce, chipotle sauce, and red spicy sauce. And KFC? That’s a special mention. In Mexico, they serve strawberry jam—you might ask why. It’s because we use the biscuit as dessert, not as a side.
If none of these sparked your curiosity, let’s go back to the basics: convenience.
Once, my mom joined a tour through a few countries in Europe. These tours follow tight schedules and don’t stop, rain or shine. One day in Belgium, the operator gave them very little time to eat and all the local places were crowded. She didn’t fly across the Atlantic to eat at McDonald’s, but it ended up being the best option at that moment— and she never regretted it.
It happened again in Tokyo. We were there together, the night before the marathon—carb loading days and still adjusting to the time zone change. We were exploring the city, hungry at odd hours. We stumbled upon a McDonald’s, it was a no-brainer. The soy sauce-based Samurai Mac made it a good meal—and even though it was fast food, it wasn’t something I could easily find at home.
Speaking of Tokyo and convenience, how could I not mention Lawson’s or 7-Eleven?
If you’ve been to Japan, you know convenience stores are everywhere. On our short trip, we used 7-Eleven to withdraw cash (very useful in ramen shops and other street food stands that are cash-only) and to stock up on water, electrolytes, and snacks. And Lawson’s? It was half a block from our hotel in the heart of Ginza. Did I mention convenience?
On Tokyo Marathon day, I left the hotel around 6 a.m., leaving my mom behind. She doesn’t speak Japanese or English, so lunch in a restaurant was going to be difficult—and I wouldn’t be back until after 3 p.m. The plan: she would have breakfast at the hotel (buffet style, included, and a well-known process we’ve already done three times). Lunch? A quick walk to Lawson’s, to pick something from the grab-n-go section. We’d have dinner somewhere else.
So, this isn’t a life lesson—it’s a life hack.
Even if it isn’t in your travel bucket list, give fast food chains a chance. They might surprise you—in flavor,convenience, and budget.
If you’ve watched Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, you know he occasionally enjoyed a grab-n-go meal. Particularly the egg salad sandwich from Japan’s convenience stores.
Happy Travels! Explore the local cuisine… and don’t skip the fast food chains.