SINGAPORE -- Gourmet nosh at fast food prices? It looks like McDonald's will strike a chord with Singaporeans when it reopens its flagship restaurant this weekend and introduces a salad bar and dessert kiosk.



The new flagship which takes up 8,439 square feet of space is located at Marine Cove, situated along East Coast Park. The restaurant occupies the original East Coast Park McDonald's outlet which was in operation for 30 years until it closed for refurbishment in 2012.

McDonald's Singapore's forays into the gourmet food market began early last year with the "Create Your Taste" burgers which allowed customers to build their own burgers with what the chain bills as "gourmet ingredients." The salad bar concept is however not new to Asia, as it was first introduced in Hong Kong back in December.





Operating on the same concept as "Create Your Taste," McDonald's Singapore's first salad bar will have three basic salad choices: Asian, Caesar and Classic Green. Customers will also have the option of customising their salads from the 10 ingredients found in all three basic salads.



But before you think good old McDonald's has gone and done a complete 180 and turned into one of those restaurant chains for health nuts, rest assured. You'll still be able to get the classic McDonald's burgers and sides at the Singapore flagship, as well as three new additions to its premium burgers selection: Classic Cheese, Spicy Tortilla and Spicy Chicken with Apple Slaw.

Next to the newly installed salad bar is McCafe. The Marine Cove outlet's McCafe will also now have soups, gourmet sandwiches and sweet treats such as Affogato and Belgian waffles served with soft serve, gula melaka (palm sugar) syrup and avocado.









Located at the alfresco seating area is McDonald's Singapore's dessert kiosk, which gives customers a chance to customise their McFlurrys or Sundaes from a choice of 17 toppings. For sweet-toothed daredevils, we recommend giving the Chunky Purple Potato Sauce a try.













Eager to make its flagship more than just a restaurant, McDonald's Singapore's has installed a range of family-friendly interactive features.

These include a shadow wall where customers walking past will have their shadows transformed into McDonaldland characters, VR headsets that lend viewers a 360 virtual tour and wireless charging stations.

McDonald's Marine Cove will open its doors to the public on July 2 at 6 a.m. local time.

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