Our first taste of the new Sweet and Spicy McDonald’s Jjang Jjang Burger has been much anticipated. Today is the day.

Whether it’s worth the hype or not, I’m hurting my health (and, this time, my wallet) – we ordered both the beef and chicken versions, which is why my wallet is on the verge of dying. Would you spend S$7.20 for an a la carte burger or S$9.20 for a meal? For $0.35 more, you may upgrade to a Yuzu McFizz if you think that the heat might get a little too much for you to bear!

You can choose between a crispy-battered chicken thigh or a classic quarter-pounder beef patty that has been generously marinated in a unique blend of Korean sweet and spicy sauce before being topped with lettuce and tomatoes.

The mouthwatering combination of meat, sauce, and vegetables nestled between two fluffy buns is sure to make you salivate “Jjang (Jjang)!go ” 짱 (Jjang)! Amazing!”. The meal set includes McDonald’s world-famous fries (M) and an inexpensive option to upgrade your drinks to the lemony Yuzu McFizz — to cool off the heat.

Our Editor’s First Impressions – Let’s Unbox this Cutey

Seeing the burger served in an attractive Korean-style box made us even more eager to consume it. The red and green colour scheme of the boxes reminds me of the Korean drama-horror series – The Squid Game’s outfits. 

The aroma hit us as soon as we opened the top. Well, that’s a start, then!

Jjang! Jjang! Chicken Burger – Reminiscent of Korean Fried Chicken

The Jjang! Jjang! Chicken Burger contains a batter-coated chicken thigh and is slathered in a flavour-packed sweet-sour Korean sauce.

Just looking at Jjang Jjang Chicken Burger, it reminds me of McSpicy with yangnyeom chicken (Korean fried chicken) sauce. I enjoy Korean cuisine, particularly yangnyeom chicken. Gochujang sauce, also known as yangnyeom sauce, is a sweet and spicy Korean sauce made from gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine vinegar, garlic, and ginger that has an identifiable flavour. It’s delicious with chicken, pork, beef, seafood, tofu, and veggies.

I apologise. I’ve side-tracked.

After the initial bite, the sauce does not taste anything like Gochujang. It’s most likely a reworked Gochujang sauce with a Singaporean touch. It was both sweet and spicy at the same time. The composition is quite well-balanced, though leaning more towards the sweet side. They are pretty generous with the sauce. It was as if the patty was submerged in sauce. The chicken was delicate and juicy, with a texture that was similar to McSpicy patties.

Those who enjoy spicy foods will be disappointed! When I ordered mala, I specifically asked for a spice level of low to medium. Although the sauce’s colour seems intimidating, this is not the case. The spicy level of this burger was moderate. The sweetness of the sauce, in my opinion, balanced off the heat. McSpicy, on the other hand, is spicier.

Jjang! Jjang! Beef Burger – Fwah! Like a Spicier Samurai!

The Jjang! Jjang! Beef Burger contains a classic quarter-pounder beef patty that has been generously marinated in Korean sweet and spicy sauce.

I was startled by the first mouthful. This was like the Samurai Burger’s spicier variant, with a sweet flavour and a tinge of spiciness. The Jjang Jjang Beef Burger’s beef patty reminded me of McDonald’s Quarter Pounder patty on a subsequent bite. It has a very similar texture feel to that.

The sauce for both Chicken and Beef appears to be the same. There was less heat in the Jjang Jjang Beef Burger than I expected. Hmmm. That made me pause and reflect. Hmmm… Using the same batter as the McSpicy might explain why the batter-coated chicken variant is spicier.

This beef Jjang Jjang Burger is a fantastic option for folks who don’t like spicy food.

Conclusion and summary – Our Food Editor’s Expert Summary: It’s a completely different experience, Refreshingly Hot!

We’re undecided about it. An a la carte burger costs $7.20, which isn’t exactly a bargain. I wouldn’t mind shelling out that much money for another taste of this addicting limited-edition item, though. In terms of taste, you won’t find any of the traditional Korean flavours in these burgers. It was more like a Singapore revamped version of Gochuchang flavour with the Jjang Jjang Beef Burger and the Jjang Jjang Chicken Burger. The flavour is, in reality, well-balanced and distinct. Personally, we’d like the sauce to be a little hotter.

There have been a number of Japanese-inspired burgers from McDonald’s, including the Hokkaido Salmon Burger and the Samurai Burger. It appears that our love of all things Korean has spread beyond our television screens and is now making its way onto our plates as well.

It’s a seasonal flavour and it’s refreshing to eat something new. That being said, if you are a Korean food enthusiast, give it a try.

In addition to the Jjang Jjang Burger, the My McDonald’s App will soon feature a series of deals. Jjang! Jjang! burger is 50% off, and the Double McSpicy and Chicken McCrispy Extra Value Meals are both 1-for-1.

From May 9th, 2022, the deals will be available. A reminder on your phone will ensure you don’t miss the opportunity. More information will be added as it becomes available, so check back often for the most recent information.

McDonald’s Jjang Jjang! burger is available at all McDonald’s and via McDelivery.

*Information and pictures courtesy of McDonald’s® Singapore