Taco Bell is apparently a ‘high end’ restaurant in China — and TikTok is obsessed

For many fast food lovers, the words “Taco Bell” and “fine dining” are basically antonyms. In China, things are a little different.

Taco Bell is a newcomer to the world’s most populous country. According to the New York Times, the chain’s current Chinese version began opening in major cities in 2017.

That explains why many in the U.S. are just now catching on. Thanks to video by TikToker Yusen Zhang, Americans are finding out just how different — and how “high end” — Taco Bell can get in China.

In his viral clip, Zhang tours a location in Shanghai. Once inside, he finds modern decorations, a stylish seating area and an open kitchen where customers can watch their order come together.

He then proceeds to explore the menu, which features plenty of unique items. One notable entry: A chicken quesadilla stuffed with durian, the notoriously stinky fruit found in Southeast Asia.

@yusenzhang

Would you give Durian Chicken Quesadilla a try??? ##china ##chinese ##tacobell ##quesadilla ##burrito ##asia

♬ original sound – Yusen Zhang

As Zhang points out, the Shanghai location also offers a beef bulgogi and kimchi burrito, plus plenty of taco combos and sides. Zhang saved his appetite for the durian quesadilla, though, which he called “surprisingly” delicious.

The video spawned all kinds of jealous reactions, with American Taco Bell fans pouring in their praise.

“Bulgogi … American Taco Bell needs to step up their game,” one user wrote.

“I need Chinese Taco Bell in my life,” another wrote.

“That’s way better than American Taco Bell,” another claimed.

Zhang’s video sparked plenty of comparisons, but it also left out a few more tantalizing details. Taco Bell China also reportedly offers rice bowls, Mexican pizzas and, at some locations, alcoholic slushes and a selection of Japanese beer.

The chain’s Chinese restaurants are operated by Yum China, which also runs KFC and Pizza Hut locations throughout the country. Similarly, those fast-food transplants are surprisingly luxe.

In particular, KFC is almost nothing like its American counterpart. It’s also China’s most popular restaurant chain, with more than 5,000 stores nationwide.

It’s not just China, either. Last month, a TikTok user went viral after giving a tour of a Popeyes in Madrid, Spain. The place was futuristic, uber-stylish and, in this writer’s opinion, its food looked delicious.

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