Always looking forward to McDonald’s limited time-only creations every time National Day is round the corner since they seem to have always put in a lot more effort in creating something with a local influence whenever this season comes right by. This year’s limited time-only offerings for National Day sees McDonald’s introducing the Chilli Crab Sauce Prawn Burger / Chilli Crab Sauce Chicken Burger as the frontrunners of the campaign; McDonald’s having collaborated with Jumbo Seafood 珍宝海鲜 to create the Chilli Crab Sauce within the burgers that is also available as a standalone sauce tub as well. Alongside the aforementioned burgers would be the Kampung Drumlets, Pulut Hitam Pie and Iced Dinosaur — outlets with dessert kiosks attached also do offer the Chendol soft-serve available in Cone, Sundae and McFlurry formats.

The Chili Crab Sauce Prawn Burger (Single) comes with the deep-fried prawn patty that has made its appearance in other limited time-only burgers like the Laksa Delight Prawn Burger — other elements that made an appearance in the Chili Crab Sauce Prawn Burger includes the Chili Crab Sauce, egg and lettuce; a burger with a very simple composition. While we had always liked their deep-fried prawn patty which comes crisp with breaded batter that comes in a beautiful shade of golden-brown and comes with chunks of actual prawn within, we did think that the Golden Arches could be more generous with the amount of Chili Crab Sauce that came with the burger. With that being said, we do think that the Chili Crab Sauce comes within expectations being a creation coming from a fast food joint; there is definitely that sweetness and spiciness that one would associate with Chili Crab Sauce, though there is that deep, savoury tang that comes in its finish that may be a little odd / artificial for some. Felt that the egg was a crowd pleaser here, providing the burger with a more wholesome vibe rather than it being without the egg.

The one that really impressed us was the Kampung Drumlets; whilst just another rendition of McWings which usually tend to be a little disappointing whenever a limited time-only special is being spun off from it, the Kampung Drumlets were especially flavourful from the use of turmeric, cumin and ginger — there is this really interesting note that makes it come between a local-style curry and Ayam Goreng Berempah (i.e. Malaysia-style spice fried chicken), all that with a slight zing that one would probably associate with lime leaves. Another item that was equally impressive was the Pulut Hitam Pie; this is one from the archives from the Golden Arches that was served also for the National Day season in 2022 alongside the Laksa Delight Prawn Burger — basically the same hand pie as their rendition of the Apple Pie that comes with that sweet, earthy and grainy flavours of black glutinous rice mixed with coconut milk, all that with soft black glutinous rice grains that provides a variance of textures. The Chendol Cone is probably the one not to go for — we rarely do feel that off about McDonald’s limited time-only soft-serves but the Chendol soft-serve just ain’t it; we do get how they are trying to replicate the notes of Gula Melaka but the use of brown sugar does make it closer to a rendition of Boba Milk soft-serve. This is also made worse by the fact that there was a lack of attempt to include any notes of Pandan or red beans into the Chendol soft-serve itself.