McDonald’s Korea launched three new items on July 11 as part of its “Taste of Korea” project, including the Jinju Pepper Cream Cheese Burger, the Jinju Pepper Cream Cheese Muffin, and the Yeongdong Shine Muscat McFizz.
The annual Taste of Korea project is a local sourcing initiative that introduces various menu items using high-quality domestic ingredients. It began in 2021 with the launch of the Changnyeong Garlic Burger, which featured garlic from the Changnyeong region in South Gyeongsang Province, and is now in its fourth year.
At a tasting event held at the McDonald’s outlet in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Yang Hyoung-keun, director of the company’s public affairs, said that this year’s feature is the Jinju Pepper Cream Cheese Burger, made with chili peppers from Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province.
The new burger incorporates local Jinju chili peppers in its toppings and sauce, including a jjangajji pickle made from the peppers mixed with cream cheese, giving it a distinctive spicy flavor.
The Jinju Pepper Cream Cheese Muffin is also launched as the first McMorning menu item in the Taste of Korea project. The muffin features a chicken patty and tomato, offering a milder spice level compared to the burger. To balance the spiciness, the Yeongdong Shine Muscat McFizz beverage is also available.
Yang explained that Jinju was chosen for its top-ranking chili production due to its fertile soil, abundant sunlight, and clean waters of the Nam River. Feedback praising the clean heat of Jinju chilies pairing well with the burger influenced their decision.
In a special move, one of the four McDonald’s locations in Jinju will be themed around the Jinju Pepper Cream Cheese Burger. Yang said, “One regret with each Taste of Korea project was the lack of a local store,” adding, “This time, one of the Jinju McDonald’s outlets will be set up to celebrate the launch of this local specialty burger.”
