18 French Fry Recipes with Global-Inspired Toppings
The World on a Fry—No Passport Required.
We all know and love the classic fry + ketchup combo. But what if you could turn those fries into something way bigger—something more exciting, flavorful, and full-on international? These 18 globally inspired French fry recipes take cues from street food, comfort food, and bold global flavor combinations. They’re perfect for sharing, snacking, or making an entire meal out of your side dish.
From Canadian poutine to Thai curry fries, here’s how to dress up your fries like they’ve been around the world.
1. Canadian Poutine (Québec)
What’s on it:
Fresh cheese curds + rich brown gravy over hot, crispy fries.
Pro tip: Use beef or mushroom gravy, and make sure your curds are squeaky-fresh. Bake the fries or double-fry them for max crisp.
2. Loaded Shawarma Fries (Middle East)
What’s on it:
Spiced chicken or beef shawarma, garlic sauce (toum), chopped tomatoes, onions, parsley, pickled turnips, and tahini drizzle.
Pro tip: Use frozen fries as the base and pile on leftover shawarma. Instant crowd-pleaser.
3. Chili Cheese Fries (USA/Tex-Mex)
What’s on it:
Hot chili (beef, veggie, or turkey), cheddar cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, and green onions.
Pro tip: Make it a meal by using thick steak fries and hearty chili.
4. Curry Chips (UK)
What’s on it:
Golden fries drenched in warm, slightly sweet curry sauce.
Pro tip: Make a quick chip shop curry with coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, and a little sugar.
5. Butter Chicken Fries (India-Canada fusion)
What’s on it:
Creamy butter chicken sauce with chunks of tender chicken, cilantro, and yogurt drizzle over fries.
Pro tip: Use leftover butter chicken from takeout. Fries make it brand new again.
6. Korean Kimchi Fries
What’s on it:
Sautéed kimchi, spicy gochujang mayo, green onions, sesame seeds, and a fried egg on top (optional but encouraged).
Pro tip: Sweet potato fries work especially well here to balance the heat and funk.
7. Taco Fries (Mexico-USA fusion)
What’s on it:
Seasoned ground beef or black beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, guac.
Pro tip: Sprinkle taco seasoning directly onto the fries before baking for extra flavor.
8. Japanese Katsu Curry Fries
What’s on it:
Thick Japanese curry (mild and sweet), chopped katsu-style chicken or pork cutlets, and a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce.
Pro tip: Use frozen katsu or breaded chicken strips to make it easy.
9. Greek Feta Fries
What’s on it:
Crumbled feta, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, olive oil, red onion, and tzatziki.
Pro tip: Use crispy skin-on fries for texture and let them sit under the toppings for a minute to soak up the flavor.
10. Thai Curry Fries
What’s on it:
Red or green Thai curry (chicken or tofu), coconut cream, Thai basil, and a squeeze of lime.
Pro tip: Make your curry thicker than usual to avoid soggy fries.
11. Banh Mi Fries (Vietnam)
What’s on it:
Pork or tofu, pickled carrots and daikon, sriracha mayo, cilantro, sliced jalapeños.
Pro tip: Toss the veggies in vinegar + sugar mix for a quick pickle before topping the fries.
12. Jamaican Jerk Fries
What’s on it:
Spicy jerk chicken, mango salsa, grilled pineapple, and lime crema.
Pro tip: Marinate your protein in jerk seasoning overnight—or use store-bought and broil for quick flavor.
13. German Currywurst Fries
What’s on it:
Sliced bratwurst, curry ketchup, and a sprinkle of curry powder.
Pro tip: Mix ketchup with curry powder, paprika, and a touch of honey for the real deal.
14. Moroccan Harissa Fries
What’s on it:
Harissa aioli, preserved lemon, chopped olives, and parsley.
Pro tip: Serve with lamb or chickpeas to make it a full meal.
15. Peri-Peri Chicken Fries (South Africa/Portugal)
What’s on it:
Grilled peri-peri chicken, spicy mayo, pickled onions, and fresh herbs.
Pro tip: Nando’s sauce is your best friend here—drizzle it all over the top.
16. French Raclette Fries
What’s on it:
Melted raclette cheese (or Swiss if you can’t find it), crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a bit of Dijon mustard on the side.
Pro tip: Broil your fries with cheese on top until it’s bubbling.
17. Brazilian Feijoada Fries
What’s on it:
Black beans, smoked sausage or pork, garlic rice, and farofa crumbs (toasted cassava flour).
Pro tip: Add orange zest or slices for that traditional Brazilian contrast.
18. Canadian Donair Fries (Nova Scotia Style)
What’s on it:
Seasoned ground beef or lamb, sweet donair sauce (condensed milk + vinegar + garlic powder), diced tomatoes, and onion.
Pro tip: Donair sauce might sound weird—until you try it. Then you’ll never stop.
Final Fry Thoughts
Fries aren’t just a side dish anymore. They’re a blank canvas for global flavor explosions. Whether you're making a late-night snack, impressing guests at a party, or just craving something bold and different, these 18 international fry recipes are easy to make and impossible to forget.
Crispy. Saucy. Cheesy. Spicy.
Fries deserve the spotlight, and now they’ve got a whole passport full of ideas to back it up.
