If you smoke McDonald's fries and nuggets with a Daiso mess tin, a beer-compatible snack is born.

Cold McDonald's fries and Chicken McNuggets are flavorful on their own, but here's a method to make them even tastier: by arranging them into a smoked dish. The tools used were Daiso's smoke chips and mess tin.

Smoked arrangement of McDonald's French fries and Chicken McNuggets

I stopped by McDonald's on the way during my drive. I'm going to buy my favorite McDonald's French fries and Chicken McNuggets to take home. The deliciousness of both when they're fresh is exceptional, but the downside is that they get cold and soggy by the time you reach your destination if you take them out.

Once they cool down, reheating them in the microwave won't restore their crispiness, and they become a bit bland. So, what if I try to add a smoky aroma instead of just warming them up? With that inspiration, I decided to challenge myself to make some smoked food after a long time.

Starting the smoking process with Daiso chips

I bought "smoke chips (mix)" at Daiso for smoking. At the price of 110 yen, they are versatile and easy to use with any ingredients. Furthermore, for the smoking process, I also prepared a mess tin and solid fuel that are sold at the same Daiso, as well as a rack to place on the mess tin.

Product Name / Smoke Chips (Mix)
Price / 110 yen
● Daiso Industries

First, to prevent burning, lay aluminum foil in the mess tin and place the smoke chips on top. The guideline is about 1 to 2 tablespoons. Since I wanted to add a strong smoky flavor to the McDonald's French fries and Chicken McNuggets, I added a little more than usual.

Like this, layer the aluminum foil, chips, and grill in the mess tin, and all that's left is to arrange the fries and nuggets. Super easy.

However, since the mess tin doesn't hold a lot, I could try adding a bit more, but being greedy might lead to uneven smoking. Since this is my first attempt, I'll keep it modest and see how it goes.

Just smoke for 15 minutes and let it sit for 5 minutes?

Light the solid fuel and let it sit for about 15 minutes. The temperature has risen, but the shade remains pleasant, making it a perfect day for smoking. With a beer in hand, I leisurely wait for the smoke to rise, and a lovely aroma starts to waft through the air.

After 15 minutes, once the heating is complete, let it sit for another 5 minutes without opening the lid. During this time, resist the urge to open the lid.

As I nervously open the lid, … out come slightly colored McDonald's French fries! The unique savory and smoky aroma spreads, and this scent alone makes me crave beer. However, what I'm worried about is the taste.

Will the cooled fries and nuggets have transformed into something delicious?

This is… a flavor that surpasses the restaurant's!? A snack that pairs perfectly with beer is born.

First, the McDonald's French fries. The smoky aroma is even more pronounced than I imagined, and it tastes completely different from the usual fries. Perhaps the moisture has been drawn out, giving them a texture reminiscent of freshly fried ones. The flavor of the chips and the saltiness of the fries match exquisitely, transforming them into an adult taste that you can't stop eating once you try them. This is a great success.

Next up, the Chicken McNuggets. These have taken on a smoky flavor, resulting in a deep taste reminiscent of smoked chicken. They pair excellently with the mustard sauce received, making beer go down infinitely. Honestly, both are more delicious than the fresh-fried taste from the store, which really surprised me. I might end up repeating this next week.

A small mess tin can be used not just for camping but also at home, so give it a try.

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