
McDonald’s joints all around the world have some of the most interesting items. There’s of course Chicken Curry Rice in Thailand, American vintage burgers in Japan, and ramen at one McDonald’s in the US (of all places!). But we’ve never seen anything quite this fancy at a fast food restaurant anywhere, so we sent one of our reporters to check out the colorful macarons at a McDonald’s in Shanghai.
McDonald’s isn’t exactly known for having high-quality items, but these perfectly round macarons look positively luxurious! To top it off, they go perfectly with a cup of McDonald’s coffee. The macarons come in four flavors: strawberry, lemon, chocolate, and matcha green tea (we’re sure you can tell which is which based on the colors!). A single macaron costs 10 yuan ($1.63), but why buy one when you can get all four for 32 yuan ($5.20)?
▼ Betcha can’t eat just one!
Our reporter decided to try the strawberry macaron first. She gingerly picked up the pink dessert, admiring it in her hand:
The outer layer was somewhat hard, just like a macaron should be. Meanwhile, the strawberry cream center was peeking out, just begging to be eaten.
▼ The cream!!!
Our reporter took a bite and was immediately impressed with the crisp outer layer of the macaron. As she sunk her teeth into the treat, the strawberry cream filling came to the forefront, delivering a lovely contrast in texture. The dessert was neither too sweet nor too bland, the perfect balance of strawberry and cream deliciousness! In fact, our reporter deemed it just as good as the macarons sold in swanky Tokyo department stores!
Thoroughly enjoying every bite of the strawberry macaron, our reporter turned her sights on the other flavors. Taking a bite of each one, she was instantly disappointed. The lemon and matcha green tea flavors weren’t anywhere near as delicious or well-balanced as the strawberry macaron, and the chocolate one wasn’t anything to write home about. Sure, they didn’t taste bad, but after having such a wonderful flavor experience with the strawberry macaron, it was a big disappointment.
▼ How can something this beautiful just taste so-so?
▼ You, too! You look sooo good! What happened?
▼ Oh matcha, our favorite flavor. We wish you could stand up to the strawberry macaron.
But despite the vast difference in taste between the four flavors, our reporter still thinks the McDonald’s macarons would do well in Japan. They’re just the right price, neither too expensive nor too cheap (which might be cause for concern as to what’s in them). So let’s get these beauties into a McDonald’s near us!
Photos: RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]








McDonald’s Japan adds limited-edition French macarons to their menu
What are McDonald’s macarons really like in Japan?
McDonald’s adds new watermelon frappe and fruity macaron to its menu in Japan
We try out McDonald’s Japan’s new Banana Tart McFlurry on Japan’s unofficial “Banana Day”
McDonald’s Japan won’t sell you a Caramel Macaron dessert burger, so we made our own
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Kyoto raises hotel accommodation tax to fight overtourism, travelers could pay up to 10 times more
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
The top 5 ice creams you should try at Family Mart convenience stores in Japan this summer
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Is Oni Koroshi sake in a drink box wino fuel or a hidden gem?
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
McDonalds Japan and Godiva Chocolate’s collab coffee frappe is dismayingly delicious【Taste test】
Look out, Starbucks — McDonald’s Japan has now entered the dessert drink game
We try churros from McDonald’s Japan
McDonald’s Japan adds three tasty new popcorn drinks to their menu
We try the new Sanrio character McFlurry from McDonald’s Japan
“Do they think we’re stupid?” McDonald’s Japan’s new, unappealing strawberry shortcake and donut
Is McDonald’s Japan’s new watermelon frappe worth your yen?
McDonald’s sells Japanese red bean and matcha drinks with a zany sakura tea ceremony commercial
McDonald’s Japan’s new “Taste of Mommy” McShake brings a marvelously milky milkshake to the menu
We try McDonald’s Japan’s new, as-yet-unnamed, Hokkaido hot potato burger
McDonald’s Japan releases matcha green tea cake, frappes and lattes for a limited time
We try the new Pikachu McFlurry from McDonald’s Japan
Tasting McDonald’s Japan’s new Milky “Taste of Mummy” collection
McDonald’s Japan offers sweet peach as a “triangle pie”!