Mouth-watering KFC dishes you won't find in the UK

Finger lickin’ different

Think fried chicken, gravy and fries are all KFC has to offer? Think again. Options such as porridge, spaghetti, chicken and mushroom soup and even a pizza with a fried chicken base have appeared on menus in certain countries, with franchises adapting their offerings to suit local tastes and traditions. Here, we look at the most drool-worthy KFC dishes the world has to offer.

Read on to discover 30 country-specific KFC dishes that will make you want to hop on a plane – counting down to the most craveable of all.

We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each menu item in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective. 

30. Durian Balls

Soft, creamy and delicious on the inside, with a golden, crispy shell, Durian Balls were introduced at KFC in Malaysia for a limited time in 2020 and 2021. Fans have also been lucky enough to try them in Singapore; they returned to the menu for a brief period in 2024, having proved a smash hit in the past. The fruity dessert is made with D24 durian, a popular variation of the spiky-skinned, notoriously funky-smelling tropical fruit. Lovers of the controversial food no doubt found the snacks delicious – inspiring KFC Malaysia to release a similar product, a durian pie, in summer 2024.

29. Pachito Pasta

In Vietnam, KFC restaurants serve spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese and (of course) a portion of fried chicken. A permanent item on the menu, you can get a portion of Pachito Pasta at any time of day, all year round. Although it may upset pasta purists, we'd happily give it a try. Vietnam isn't the only country where you can find pasta at KFC, either. In the Philippines, you can get a bowl of pasta topped with a sweet Pinoy-style meat sauce, sprinkled with cheese.

28. Plantain

Potatoes are a staple starch in many countries – but in Nigeria, it’s plantain that rules the roost. In KFC outposts across the country, you can pick plantain as one of your sides for a sweeter alternative to potato fries (which are still available, if you prefer). Also on the KFC Nigeria menu is moi-moi, a flavoursome bean pudding common in Yoruba cuisine.

27. Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Somewhat surprisingly, soup is common on KFC menus around the world – particularly in Asian markets (remember the deep-fried corn soup sold in Japan in 2013 that sent the internet into a frenzy?). Corn and chicken and mushroom soups are regularly sold at KFC restaurants in Hong Kong in the winter months. Described as 'fragrant and creamy', they're a great choice when it's chilly outside.

26. Pot Pie

The flaky-crusted pot pie, with its warm and creamy chicken, potato, pea and carrot filling, is a classic on the menu at KFC in the US. Sold since the 1990s, it’s considered as everyday as Original Recipe fried chicken, gravy and fries. In other countries, such as Japan, the savoury pie has made appearances on a short-term basis – along with dessert pies like the purple sweet potato pie.

25. Zinger Porridge

A delicious savoury breakfast option that launched in Malaysia in 2014, Zinger Porridge is a serving of oatmeal topped with chicken pieces, crispy shallots and sesame oil. Other tempting pre-10am menu options in Malaysia include the Zinger Riser (a crispy chicken burger topped with a fried egg) and the Twister Lite (a breakfast wrap stuffed with a chicken fillet, scrambled eggs and sliced tomato). Porridge is also available in Singapore and Indonesia.

24. Mushroom Rice

It might not sound too exciting at first, but KFC’s mushroom rice has become something of a viral sensation in Hong Kong – so much so that there are plenty of recipes online that attempt to replicate it. The dish is pretty simple, layering sliced and fried mushrooms in a black pepper sauce over fluffy white rice. Saucy and savoury, it complements the chain's crispy, crunchy chicken perfectly.

23. Biscuits

Biscuits are a familiar sight at KFC restaurants throughout the United States, among a few other countries. However, you might be surprised to learn that this iconic item can't be found globally (perhaps the reason is that the name could be confusing to those who associate biscuits with what Americans call cookies). To some, these bready bakes might look like scones; however, they’re savoury, with a flaky and buttery texture that makes them perfect for drowning in gravy.

22. Sweet Potato QQ Balls

Taiwanese Sweet Potato QQ Balls are certainly eye-catching, with their orange and purple stripes. They’re a combination of interesting textures too, bringing together sweet potato purée with QQ – the bouncy chewiness you get from foods such as glutinous rice balls, fish balls and some types of noodles. Try out this fun snack when you’re in Taiwan, but be careful – these little balls can get hot in the middle!

21. Chizza

As you may have guessed, Chizza is a twist on pizza (and surprisingly, it's not KFC's only dish that sees carbs replaced with fried chicken – see the next slide for proof). The base is a round, flat piece of Original Recipe fried chicken smothered in tomato sauce, cheese and other classic pizza toppings. It was initially introduced in the Philippines in 2015 – and since then, it's made brief appearances in other locations, from Thailand to the UK. It eventually made its way to the USA, debuting on American menus in 2024 with the launch of a 'Chizzeria' pop-up in New York City.

20. Double Down Dog

Featuring bacon and a slice of cheese stuffed inside a bun made from two pieces of fried chicken, the original Double Down was first sold in select markets, including the US and Canada, in 2010. Although it was an internet sensation, it wasn’t made a permanent menu item; however, KFC has since experimented with variations on the fried chicken bun format. The Double Down Dog – a cheese-stuffed hot dog topped with mustard in a fried chicken bun – debuted in the Philippines in 2015. Back in the US, the Double Down was revived in 2023, and it can occasionally be found on menus elsewhere.

19. Famous Bowl

The mysteriously named Famous Bowl is a permanent fixture on KFC menus in the US and a few other markets, including the Philippines. The dish sees a bowl of mashed potatoes topped with gravy, Popcorn Chicken, sweetcorn and cheese. If it’s not sold in your country, fear not – you can simply purchase some KFC mashed potatoes, gravy, Popcorn Chicken and sweetcorn separately, assemble the dish at home, then sprinkle on some grated Cheddar.

18. Paneer Zinger

Launched in India in 2014, the Paneer Zinger featured a paneer (Indian cheese) patty filled with spicy sauce. The meatless dish was backed by a huge advertising campaign. Although KFC decided to move away from investing in its vegetarian offering in 2016, resulting in the Paneer Zinger's discontinuation, the cheesy delight made a return to Indian menus as part of the company's International Burger Fest promotion in 2024 – alongside a Tandoori Zinger, an American Classic Zinger, a Mexican Zinger and a Caribbean Spicy Zinger.

17. Gravy Mashies

Deep-fried mashed potato balls with a squirt of KFC gravy in the centre, Gravy Mashies were a super-savoury twist on an old Australian KFC favourite: Mashies, a dish that first hit KFC restaurants in 2009 (and which was quickly discontinued). Bearing the most Australian name possible, the beloved snack was brought back with added gravy for a limited time in 2017, much to fans’ delight. Original Mashies made another brief appearance in 2023. Keep your eyes open if Mashies are always on your mind; they may just come back around.

16. Tender-Rice

At KFC restaurants in South Korea, the menu goes way beyond fried chicken, burgers and tenders. Rice dishes are common at branches of the chain in Asian markets – and Tender-Rice, featuring crispy chicken tenders over flavoured grains, is one of the brand's latest creations. The Korean name for the dish is chibap, meaning fried chicken and rice. You’ll find variations eaten in restaurants and homes across the country, usually served spicy.

15. Kentucky Pepperoni

Making its debut on Brazilian KFC menus in 2024, the Kentucky Pepperoni takes a classic KFC chicken sandwich and makes it just a little meatier. The indulgent handheld consists of a crispy chicken fillet, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, topped with a layer of pepperoni and sandwiched in a soft bun. It may be simple, but it's incredibly effective!

14. Xiaolongbao

Although KFC localises its menu at least a little in every country, KFC China perhaps has the bill of fare that most caters to local tastes. A number of traditional Chinese dishes have made their way onto the permanent menu, including xiaolongbao (steamed soup dumplings) and hot dry noodles, both of which can be found at breakfast time. If you’re looking for a traditional taste of China in a fast food setting, KFC might be the place to go.

13. KFC x Cheetos Crunchin’ Cheese

Brand collaborations can be hit and miss, but we think this one's nothing short of genius. In spring 2024, KFC Arabia (which includes stores in the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and more) teamed up with Cheetos to create a crunchy, cheesy chicken coating. From buckets to chicken tenders and even a Twister wrap, a selection of Cheetos-flavoured crispy chicken treats are currently available in restaurants across the Middle East.

12. Double Chocolate Mousse

Replacing the original Chocolate Mousse in 2022, KFC Australia’s Double Chocolate Mousse is already a firm favourite among customers. Fans say it’s even better than the first recipe, with a smoother and more chocolatey taste. When you want a sweet treat after a big meal, this little pot always hits the spot with its melt-in-your-mouth texture. As if that weren't enough, a new limited-edition dessert made an appearance on KFC menus in Australia in 2024: hot, gooey Fried Cookie Dough Bites.

11. Qurrito

Don’t be confused by the name sounding like burrito – the Qurrito is actually a quesadilla. Found on the menu in several countries in Central and Eastern Europe (including Poland, Czechia, Hungary and Ukraine), it’s a crunchy, cheesy chicken creation wrapped in a toasted tortilla. Although it might seem a little strange at first, once you've tried it, you'll see that fried chicken and melted cheese are a match made in heaven.

9. Dipping Fries

To solve the problem of French fries being too skinny to sweep up maximum sauce when dipping, KFC introduced Dipping Fries to its menu in Romania in 2014. Basically hollowed-out French fries, the potato side dish can scoop up far more of your favourite condiment than a regular fry can. Now a permanent fixture on KFC menus across the country, Dipping Fries come with a choice of sauces – including sweet and sour, curry, garlic, ketchup, barbecue and salsa.

10. Egg Tarts

Egg Tarts are a staple of KFC menus in several Asian countries and regions, including Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. You can even find them in various limited-edition flavours; previous iterations have included Golden Pineapple, Onde-Onde (a dessert of glutinous rice balls flavoured with pandan), Brown Sugar Boba, and Nutella and Marshmallow. The flaky pastry shell is the perfect vehicle for all kinds of taste sensations.

8. Egg Tart Dirty Coffee

Did you know there’s a KFC coffee chain in China? If you choose to pick up a cup at a KCOFFEE, most of which are attached to KFC restaurants, you could try such delights as coffee floats and sparkling coffee. In 2024, to celebrate the opening of the 200th KCOFFEE in China, as well as the 20th anniversary of the iconic KFC Egg Tart, the Egg Tart Dirty Coffee was released – egg tart–flavoured coffee poured over cream and served in an egg tart pastry cup (edible, of course).

7. Bulgogi Burger

There’s always room for something a little different to match local tastes at KFC, even though chicken is always the star of the show. In South Korea, the Bulgogi Burger offers a beef option based on the ever-popular Korean barbecue dish. Typically, bulgogi consists of strips of marinated meat cooked on a barbecue or griddle – but KFC South Korea has given it the burger treatment, with mouth-watering results. The patty is served with a sweet barbecue sauce, onions, lettuce and mayo, all in a soft bun.

6. Cherry Pie

Hand-held pies can be found on a few KFC menus around the world, with flavours ranging from apple to durian. However, cherry pie is a treat you can only get in a select few places. If you’re ever in Belarus, Ukraine, Macedonia, Georgia or Armenia, take your chance to sample this sweet and sticky pie, which comes with a crisp, bubbly pastry exterior. It makes the perfect dessert to round off a big fried chicken meal (or just a tasty snack to go with a coffee).

5. Parmesan Truffle Chicken

This fancy fast food had limited runs in KFC restaurants across Singapore in 2016 and 2019, then made another return to the country in 2022. It featured chicken pieces that had been marinated in spices, fried until golden, then sprinkled with grated Parmesan. But it didn’t stop there – the decadent dish was served with truffle-flavoured sauce on the side. Fans are surely awaiting its return.

4. Poutine

If you’re a KFC fan and have a thing for the Canadian national dish, poutine (French fries topped with melted cheese curds and hot gravy), this might just be your ideal fast food. The KFC Canada menu features both standard poutine and Popcorn Poutine – that's poutine topped with Popcorn Chicken. KFC has even been known to give it away for free on Canada Day (1 July).

3. Grilled Cheese Raclette

In France, even fast food chains can be counted on to make the most of the country's delicious and extensive range of cheeses. If you’re in France at the right time (usually during the winter), you might be able to catch one of KFC's extra-cheesy creations. In 2023, a trio of raclette delights was released: the Grilled Cheese Raclette sandwich, the Raclette and Bacon Tower Burger, and Raclette and Bacon Winter Fries. Meanwhile, dreamy cheese offerings on KFC France's usual menu include crispy fried goats' cheese and Emmental bites.

2. Nasi Lemak

Consisting of rice cooked in coconut milk and fragrant pandan leaf, served with sambal (spicy chilli), anchovies, peanuts, cucumber slices and a hard-boiled egg, nasi lemak can be found everywhere in Malaysia – including at KFC and McDonald’s. At the former, the country’s unofficial national dish is served with a fast food twist: a side of the chain’s signature Original Recipe fried chicken.

1. Salted Egg Chicken

Salted Egg Chicken – hot and crispy fried chicken drizzled in savoury egg sauce – is deliciously messy. The yellow sauce is made with salt-cured egg yolks, a delicacy that's been eaten in Asia for centuries. The dish was originally available in Indonesia as part of the chain's ‘Taste of Asia’ campaign in 2018. However, it's since made a couple of comebacks, both as Mala Goldspice in Singapore, and as the Fiery Golden Egg Burger in Malaysia (which has a spicy kick).

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Last updated by Laura Ellis.