Unhealthiest fast food burgers from around the world

KFC caused quite a rumble recently when it introduced the DoubleDown Dog in the Philippines, and the protest wasn’t just coming from customers’ arteries. The DoubleDown Dog features a regular hot dog, but replaces the bun with a fried chicken patty. The whole thing is topped with a gooey yellow sauce that the company is calling “cheese.”

Critics are calling the DoubleDown Dog a “travesty,” an “abomination,” and MTV news estimates that the sandwich has as much as 962 calories.

But KFC isn’t alone in unleashing America’s obsession with over-the-top fried foods on the rest of the world; it’s just the latest in a long line of chains looking to expand their markets abroad by introducing strange, calorie-dense fast foods to new customers.

America’s obsession with fast food began in the 1950s and ‘60s as the population became increasingly mobile. By the 1980s, McDonalds and its signature hamburgers were a bona fide American cultural phenomenon, and it wasn’t long before the rest of the world wanted to see what all the fuss was about. By 1992, McDonalds could be found on six continents, and other chains rapidly followed suit, making American fast food an international commodity.

While chains like Burger King and KFC have gained overseas popularity, McDonalds still reigns supreme when it comes to global fast food, with more than 18,000 locations worldwide.

However, local tastes create some pretty unique demands, and international interest in insanely unhealthy “American-style” eats make for some really unappealing and unhealthy hamburgers abroad. We’ve compiled a list of the most artery-clogging, heartburn-inducing fast-food burgers from around the world. Fair warning: some of the items on this list make Double Whoppers seem like health food.

1. Burger King Cheese Fondue, Japan

(Burger King Japan)

Regular orange squares of American cheese simply won’t cut it in the Land of the Rising Sun. Instead, BK aficionados can dip their burgers, onion rings, and fries directly into a big pot of melty cheese. But be advised that dipping your Whopper comes at a price: adding one cup of fondue will bring your calorie count up to about 782.

2. Burger King Extra Long Chili Cheese Burger, Germany and Austria

(Burger King)

This three-patty sub sandwich is probably meant to be split among friends; however, if you’re the type of eater who likes a challenge, go for it! But beware: the jalapeños and fiery chili cheese sauce (not to mention the 808 calories) might make this burger better eaten in small doses.

3. Burger King Whopper Poutine, Canada

(Burger King)

Maybe it’s a stretch calling this a burger, since there’s technically no bun, but the Whopper poutine has everything else a good burger needs — beef patty, pickles, onions, mustard, and ketchup — with the addition of cheese curds, gravy, and fries. Oh, and the Whopper poutine packs about 880 calories, in case you were worrying that the lack of bun made it diet food.

4. KFC Zinger DoubleDown King, South Korea

(KFC Korea)

There’s even more fast food madness going on in this Korean DoubleDown sandwich than its American cousin. Whereas the American DoubleDown only has bacon and cheese sandwiched between two fried chicken patties, the Zinger DoubleDown King adds a beef patty and barbeque sauce to the mix. The “sandwich” is about 750 calorie

5. McDonald's Mashed Potato Beef Burger, China

(McDonald's China)

What goes better with two beef patties than a couple of strips of bacon? How about a big scoop of mash? At McDonalds in China, mashed potatoes are a condiment on this giant burger.

Check out more weird and unhealthy burgers from around the globe.

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