We ate at McDonald’s in the UK and Singapore and found that the UK’s meals were more expensive — apart from 3 staple menu items

The UK store we visited is in Leicester Square, London. At lunch time mid-week in a busy leisure area, the restaurant was fairly quiet.McDonald’s in Leicester Square, London.

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We also visited a McDonald’s outlet in Marine Cove, Singapore. Located in a public park and beach, it’s one of the largest in the city-state.McDonald’s at Marine Cove, Singapore.

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Ordering was very straightforward. At most UK McDonald’s, in-store ordering is done through a large touch-screen kiosk. With the exception of the staple items, McDonald’s menus in the UK and Singapore were quite different. We purchased a few to compare who’s paying more and which country’s items are value for money.The ordering kiosks at McDonald’s in London, UK.

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In Singapore, self-service kiosks were located right outside the outlet. It looked similar to the kiosks in the UK.Self-service counter at McDonald’s Marine Cove.

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After ordering a meal at a UK McDonald’s, the food can be picked up from a collection desk, usually in just a few minutes.The ordering kiosks at McDonald’s in London, UK.

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In Singapore, orders are collected from the main counter, where the cashiers are. Much of the space in this Singapore McDonald’s outlet is dedicated to a McCafe that serves everything from coffees to pastries.McCafe at McDonald’s Marine Cove.

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This UK restaurant had two floors of seating areas. There’s also the option to eat at an informal bench-style seating area.Inside a McDonald’s restaurant in London, UK.

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This Singapore McDonald’s outlet has an outdoor and indoor seating area (pictured below).Dining area at McDonald’s Marine Cove.

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At £4.09, or around $4.80, a Big Mac costs more in a UK restaurant.A Big Mac ordered at McDonald’s in London, UK.

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A Big Mac is more value for money in Singapore — while it costs only 5.75 Singapore dollars, or $4.10, the patties look much more substantial than the UK’s version.Big Mac in Singapore.

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A portion of McNuggets was also more expensive. A pack of six costs £4.09 in the UK, the same price as a Big Mac.Six McNuggets ordered at McDonald’s in London, UK.

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Meanwhile, a six-piece pack of nuggets in Singapore cost only SG$4.60, or $3.30.Singapore 6-piece nuggets at McDonald’s.

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In the UK, a popular option for a quick bite is the cheeseburger. It’s the cheapest burger on the UK menu, at only £0.99, or around $1.18.A cheeseburger ordered at McDonald’s in London, UK.

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But in Singapore, the cheeseburger was more expensive, at SG$3.65, or $2.60.McDonald’s cheeseburger in Singapore.

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There is some difference in items across both food menus. There are currently no meat-free options on Singapore’s menu, unlike in the UK, which introduced the McPlant in 2021. The burger has vegan cheese and sauce, while the plant-based patty is cooked separately from other McDonald’s burgers, according to McDonald’s. A large McPlant meal with fries cost £4.35, or $5.15.The McPlant burger at McDonald’s in London, UK.

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Singapore’s McSpicy is one of the most iconic items on the local menu. The burger is made out of a spicy chicken thigh, lettuce, and mayonnaise. A single patty meal with a medium-sized drink and medium-sized fries costs SG$8.60, or $6.15. A double patty version is also available, with a meal costing SG$1.20, or $0.85 more.Double McSpicy.

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The largest UK drink is 500 milliliters.A large drink ordered at a McDonald’s restaurant in London, UK.

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In Singapore, a large drink is around 30 ounces, or 890 milliliters.Large drink vs an iPhone 12.

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Singapore had better variation in desserts. In the UK, McFlurries dominate the dessert menu, which also includes cookies, brownies, and different flavored milkshakes. A McFlurry alone cost £1.59, or $1.89.A McFlurry at McDonald’s in London, UK.

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Singapore has seasonal dessert items like Yubari Melon ice cream. Staples like the McFlurry are available all-year-round for SG$3.50, or $2.50 — which is more expensive than in the UK.McFlurry in Singapore.

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A large portion of fries in the UK costs £1.39, or $1.65.Large fries ordered at McDonald’s in London, UK.

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While appearing smaller in size than the UK’s version, a pack of large-sized fries in Singapore costs SG$4.20, or $3 —almost double than what it costs in the UK.Singapore large fries.

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