Fast Food Watch: McDonald's Debuts Pork McNuggets in China

McDonald's has finally done for pigs what it did for chickens in the last generation: nuggetized the leftovers into a frankly irresistible combination dubbed Spicy Pork McBites, or 脆辣猪猪球 (loosely and perhaps unappetizingly translated by yours truly as Piggy Balls).

Done in a Chicken McNuggets style, these porky spheres of goodness have a crispy coating like their poultry counterparts, but the added bonus of a delicious, mildly spicy bite to them courtesy of that wonderful salt-pepper-MSG combination known as 椒盐, technically salt and pepper but so much more.
 

A small order costs RMB 9.50 and contains 18 McBites. The lot is served in a contoured container that may remind some Americans of those used to hold takeaway Chinese food. The bites themselves recall competitor KFC's popcorn chicken.

Breaded and fried, the McBites start with a peppery flavor, which segues into a slight hint of spicy ma la. The pork seems to be dark meat – we didn't know pork had dark meat. The meat is tender, not chewy. It's easy to eat a lot of these if you're not paying too much attention.

In the country that consumes more pork than any other in the world, Spicy Pork McBites could be a hit. The only question is whether Chinese consumers will actually go to McDonald's for the meat that already appears in most Chinese dishes, or if they will still opt for two all-beef patties et al. Order them here or at any McDonald's restaurant in China.

Images: Steven Schwankert/the Beijinger

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Thanks to the following outlets for following the story and giving us a linkback:

McDonald’s new China tactic is catering to the nation’s voracious love of pork
http://qz.com/147913/mcdonalds-new-china-tactic-is-catering-to-the-nations-voracious-love-of-pork/

McDonald's Unveils Pork McNuggets In China As KFC Declines
http://www.ibtimes.com/mcdonalds-unveils-pork-mcnuggets-china-kfc-declines-photos-1471410

McDonald's Launches Spicy Pork McBites in China
http://consumerist.com/2013/11/18/mcdonalds-launches-spicy-pork-mcbites-in-china/

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

Read it here first, folks!

First on the Beijinger, then on the New York Times

http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/14/would-you-like-fries-with-those-spicy-pork-mcbites/

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

A new contender for the 2013 "Shit in a Tray Merchant" awards, sponsored by Arby's.

My money is still on Sewer Oil Fritatta's.

Well...just another thing that they added to their arsenal that will give you diarrhea!

ordered online at 11:58. Arrived in office exactly 17 minutes later. During lunch rush. In Beijing traffic. Sweet Jesus I'm going to have to order some more "Easy Fit" jeans soon...

 

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

I know what I'm ordering for lunch.

 

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

Is McDonald's selling 椒盐肉段(jiao yan rou duan) or 干榨肉丸子(gan zha rou wan zi)?Ha ha.