Photo : Louis Hansel ( Unsplash

I am a worldly woman of much class, which is why one of my favorite things about traveling is seeing what the local talent at international McDonald’s have to offer, particularly in terms of dipping sauces and McFlurry options. I’ve dined on Cadbury McFlurries in England and dipped my nuggets in La Sauce Curry in France, but these ramen-flavored “Shake Shake” fries from Hong Kong are something truly special.


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The fries are a collaboration with Nissi n—the Cup o’ Noodles/Top Ramen people—and they are exactly what they sound like: McDonald’s french fries seasoned with ramen powder. Rather than coat entire batches of fries with savory seasoning blend, the powder comes in a separate pouch, along with a bag for shaking to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed (hence the name).


It’s such a simple, obvious pairing. As a noted fan of both msg and seasoning things with ramen powder, I’m frankly shocked and appalled I haven’t tried it already. Unlike most of the international fast food I have tried, it’s something that’s easily replicated at home. Just order some fries—or make them yourself—then sprinkle on your favorite packet of ramen powder which, if you are anything like me, you already have a collection of.

You can even match your frying oil to your seasoning. If, for instance, you are fan of cooking your fries in schmaltz, try the chicken flavor, or shake beef tallow fries some with the beef powder (this, sadly, does not work with shrimp, as there is no such thing as shrimp fat). Also, I don’t see why we have to stop at fries—why not ramen-ize all potatoes? Ramen-seasoned hash browns topped with a runny egg sound pretty good, as do ramen mashed potatoes.

Just don’t shake the mashers in a paper bag. That won’t end well.