4.361 Prosperity Burger with Curly Fries

Cycle 4 – Item 361

1 (Wed) January 2014

Prosperity Burger with Curly Fries

2.0

at McDonald’s

(E-Mart)

-Seongsu, Seongdong, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

with the Family

The Prosperity Burger is a McDonald’s item.  Available in select markets worldwide, including Korea.  While the official Korean website describes the patty here as beef (chicken versions are available in other countries), the light brownish color, as well as the squishy texture – reminiscent of school cafeteria salisbury steak – suggest a high proportion of extender.  Dark sweet BBQ-ish dressing plus mayo.   Chopped lettuce.  Grilled sesame seed bun.  4,300 for the sandwich, 5,700 for the set, which includes curly fries.

POS marketing gets me every damn time.

Given my inability to resist McDonald’s limited-time offers, though well aware that disappointment is sure to ensue, I had to have a Prosperity Burger on New Year’s Day.  Come to think of it, I’m surprised that they don’t offer holiday-themed items throughout the year (e.g., Christmas Burger, Valentine’s Day Burger, Chuseok Burger), for suckers like me.  If this one does well, I’d bet that they’ll come back at Lunar New Year with something similar, maybe a tweaked version of the Shanghai McSpicy Burger.

On many prior occasions, I’ve mentioned the sloppy construction of the toppings, at least at this McDonald’s, but it’s now completely out of control.

It’s the same freakishly ridged patty – the one shaped vaguely like a slab of babyback ribs (do customers enjoythe illusion of biting into bones?!) – as found in a McRib, as if leftover from that now-defunct production line, most likely the case, but I’m finding it difficult to believe that McDonald’s would do something so crass.

Top and bottom, the ickiest/weirdest-looking patty that I’ve ever seen on a burger from a major fast food chain.

Despite what the description and photos would suggest, the Prosperity Burger wasn’t that gross.  Tasted okay, if artificial, as McDonald’s products tend to be.  Just don’t look under the bun.

In contrast to the regular fries, the odd shape-texture of the Curly Fries, as well as the strong seasonings, made me think of how Pringles don’t feel/taste like real potato chips.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to prosperity in 2014.

(See also FAST FOOD)

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

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