Taco Bell announced it was retiring the beloved waffle taco this week, but in the same breath revealed a new piece of fast-food fusion: the biscuit taco. But America isn’t the only country trying its hand at fast food experimentation — strange food mash-ups premiere regularly around the world. But not every attempt at food fusion is successful. Here are 16 different international fast food items that don’t just cross the line — they race across it at a breakneck speed.
Pizza Hut Hong Kong: Flying Fish Roe Salmon Cream Cheese Pizza
If you’re a crust person, get ready for an unexpected surprise. One bite of this pizza’s edge will unleash an oozing cream cheese and fish egg combination in your mouth. The pie itself is topped with scallops, crayfish, clams and shrimp. You know, just your usual pizza toppings.
Burger King Japan: Windows 7 Whopper
For the launch of Windows 7 in 2009, Burger King offered a Whopper with 7 patties, which is just too many.
Pizza Hut Middle East: Crown Crust Pizza
For some inexplicable reason, Pizza Hut Middle East stuffed mini cheeseburgers and chicken tenders into the crust of its Crown Crust pizza.
Pizza Hut Australia: Hot Dog Stuffed Crust Pizza
Burgers aren’t the only sandwiches to get stuffed into a pizza crust. Pizza Hut Australia’s hot dog stuffed crust is exactly what it sounds like and comes with free mustard and ketchup drizzle.
Japan: Kit-Kat Sandwich
Many people love Kit-Kats, but the candy bar looks slightly unappealing when garnished with whipped cream and orange peel between two slices of white bread. Japanese fast food chain First Kitchen offers the strange creation for a mere 220 yen ($1.81).
McDonald’s Japan: Gracoro Burger
During select winters at certain locations, McDonald’s has been known to roll out the McRib in America. During some seasons in Japan, McDonald’s offers the Gracoro Burger — which has a breadcrumb-crusted patty made out of macaroni, shrimp and a creamy white sauce.
Pizza Hut Korea: Star Edge Pizza
Real as it is terrifying, this pizza comes topped with surf and turf (shrimp, calamari, bacon, steak and sausage) and is surrounded by a crust packed with dessert creams (cranberry or cinnamon apple nut and cream cheese filling).
Burger King Japan: Kuro Pearl Burger
Burger King went to the dark side. This curious creation comes with black cheese (dyed with bamboo charcoal) and a black bun. You’ll also find squid ink in the onion-garlic sauce.
Pizza Hut Singapore: Double Decker Pizza
At first, a double decker pizza sounds like just the right amount of decadence, but after reading the ingredient list, you’ll realize no one needs a second layer of turkey and ham rolls topped with mango mayonnaise.
Wendy’s Japan:Premium Lobster & Caviar Burger
In 2012, Wendy’s premiered this luxe burger, which comes complete with lobster claw and a sprinkle of caviar.
McDonald’s Switzerland: McGrillschnägg
Pig on pig: The Swiss “burger” consists of a curiously shaped pork sausage curled on a potato pancake patty and topped with bacon.
KFC Korea: Zinger Double Down
Fried chicken are the new buns?
As a KFC Korea spokesperson told Bloomberg, “The new Zinger Double Down King was created for consumers with a hearty appetite and a fondness for meat.” The promotional menu item, currently available in Korea, includes a beef patty topped with bacon, barbecue and white pepper sauces that is sandwiched between two fried chicken fillets.
KFC Philippines: Double Down Dog
In January 2015, customers clamored to get their hands on this special promotion, which is basically just a hot dog wrapped in a fried chicken bun.
Wendy’s Japan: Foie Gras Burger
For just $16, customers could indulge in a square burger topped with goose liver and truffles. “We think the fast-food market here is ready for something different,” CEO Ernest Higa told Bloomberg in 2011.
Dunkin’ Donuts China: Dried Pork and Seaweed Donut
This delightful creation proves you don’t have to choose between sweet and savory.
Burger King Japan: Pumpkin Bomb
America isn’t the only country that gets into seasonal pumpkin spice blends. The Pumpkin Bomb comes stuffed with bacon, a nut sauce and 10 slices of fried kabocha pumpkin.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com