McDonald's Korea has procured more than 1,000 tons of domestically produced ingredients over the past five years through its ‘Taste of Korea’ project, which launches new burger menus each year using regional specialties. Cumulative sales of these menus have surpassed 30 million. This time, McDonald's is releasing a burger and a muffin made with ‘Chungju glutinous corn’.

On the 8th, at the McDonald's Itaewon store in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, McDonald's held a press briefing and announced that on the 9th it will launch the new ‘Taste of Korea’ menu items ‘Chungju Glutinous Corn Cheese Croquette Burger’ and ‘Chungju Glutinous Corn Cheese Croquette Muffin’.

Chungju in North Chungcheong Province is the nation's second-largest corn-producing region. Chungju has a semi-highland environment with fertile soil, clean water from the Namhan River, and large day-night temperature differences. The glutinous corn grown here is characterized by uniform kernel size, a chewy texture, and a toasty, subtle sweetness that deepens the more you chew.

The newly released ‘burger’ tucks glutinous corn kernels into a mozzarella cheese croquette for both a fun bite and chewy texture. A ‘spicy Parmesan sauce’ flavored with Parmesan cheese and whole-grain mustard adds a spicy, savory-salty kick. Launched as a McMorning menu item, the ‘muffin’ pairs a glutinous corn cheese croquette with spicy Parmesan sauce and white mayo sauce. Prices are 7,900 won for the burger a la carte and 9,400 won for the set (McLunch 8,500 won), and for the muffin 5,200 won a la carte and 6,400 won for the set.

Since 2021, McDonald's has been running the Taste of Korea project. By using high-quality domestic ingredients, it supports local farms and presents new flavors to consumers. Starting with the Changnyeong Garlic Burger in 2021, it released the Boseong Nokdon Burger in 2022, the Jindo Green Onion Cream Croquette Burger in 2023, the Jinju Chili Cream Cheese Burger in 2024, and the Iksan Sweet Potato Mozzarella Burger in 2025.

McDonald's has also steadily introduced beverages and side items using domestic ingredients. Examples include Honey Butter Injeolmi Fries (2022) made with domestic multigrain powder; the 7-Grain Shake (2023) with domestic oats, soybeans, brown rice, and more; Yeongdong Shine Muscat McFizz (2024); and Suncheon Plum McFizz (2025).

Over the past five years, McDonald's has purchased more than 1,000 tons of domestic ingredients to produce the Taste of Korea menus. Cumulative sales exceed 30 million. An analysis that McDonald's commissioned from an external professional institution found that the project generated a total of 61.7 billion won in social and economic value over the four years from 2021 to 2024. Specifically, 56.7 billion won from enhanced regional brand value, 4.49 billion won from increases in farmers' real income, and 460 million won from reduced agricultural product disposal costs. By region, Changnyeong accounted for 44.3 billion won, Jindo 9.17 billion won, Jinju 6.38 billion won, and Boseong 1.71 billion won. McDonald's plans to release additional results in the second half of this year reflecting performance through last year's Taste of Korea project.

To mark the fifth anniversary of the Taste of Korea project this year, McDonald's will expand its regional co-prosperity activities. During the new menu's launch period, store-only tray mats (paper laid on trays) will include a QR code that links to the ‘Chungju Hometown Love Donation’ online site. Visitors who access the site and donate 100,000 won or more will receive a coupon for a Chungju Glutinous Corn Cheese Croquette Burger set along with Chungju specialty products as a thank-you gift.

During the launch period, McDonald's will also hold a support event for merchants in the Youth Mall located in Gwanagol, Chungju's old downtown. From the 9th for five weeks, it will operate the ‘Summer in Gwanagol’ pop-up store and showcase merchandise made by the Youth Mall along with a variety of hands-on programs.