Chewing on fast food memories

Dining hours in restaurants have been extended to 10pm since last week, but the two-people-per-table restriction makes it impractical for a business gathering.

However, my dinner problem was solved when I received from McDonald's corporate affairs senior director Clara Li Siu-mei a bucket of the chain's new honey BBQ crispy thighs, which I enjoyed at the office.

The flavor is a new addition to McDonald's crispy chicken thighs introduced a year or so ago. That version is spicy while the honey BBQ kind is sweet. And by not being coated in batter, it seems more succulent.

When it comes to western-style fast food, Hongkongers must count burgers and fried chicken as favorites. And McDonald's American-style management emphasizes efficiency, so it wouldn't make changes to its menu lightly.

That this new item has now been introduced means it must have received a favorable response in market testing. I learned that the chain is going to launch even more varieties of fried chicken down the line.

The McDonald's at Festival Walk, near where I live, has moved to a more conveniently located shop space. Since dining restrictions were imposed, I've been eating there more often.

My favorite remains filet-O-fish, which comes in a soft bun and a rich sauce. It's best eaten in big bites. In my younger days, I could gobble down one within a minute.

I had one while riding a car recently and still managed to kill it off in about two sequences of traffic lights. That was satisfying and brought back fond memories.

In earlier days, I usually rounded off a meal at McDonald's with either a milkshake or a sundae. But these days, I have to watch my intake of calories.

Nonetheless, I can indulge myself with a soft ice-cream sundae before I go jogging. The treat boosts my energy level and stamina.

The beauty of this dessert is that it doesn't give you a bloated stomach, which makes it a uniquely efficient fuel for the body to burn during a run.

Siu Sai-wo is publisher of Sing Tao Daily