For A More Filling McDonald's Filet-O-Fish, Order It Norwegian-Style

Of the many fried fish sandwiches you can pick up at fast-food chains across the United States, the classic Filet-O-Fish from McDonald's is consistently ranked among the best. A perhaps unlikely favorite, the sandwich features a crispy patty of wild-caught Alaskan Pollock, a slice of yellow American cheese, and a spread of the chain's creamy tartar sauce, stacked between that familiar steamed bun. It's yummy to be sure, but there's no denying that it's also on the lighter side. That's why we suggest taking a page from the Norwegians the next time you're craving a Filet-O-Fish, especially if you're seeking something more filling.

Although Scandinavian McDonald's locations still offer the fairly bare American version of the seafood sandwich, they also offer one that takes the fish filet up a few notches. Enter: The Fish McFeast, which contains the same square slabs of fish and cheese, but adds iceberg lettuce, tomato, pickles, chopped onions, and a trio of condiments — mustard, ketchup, and a special "McFeast sauce" consisting of mayo, mustard, and lemon juice. 

The result is a considerably heartier dish, albeit one that lacks the beloved tartar sauce of the OG. Creamy and zingy with a sharp dill flavor, tartar sauce is a fan-favorite component of the sandwich in the States. Although U.S. customers don't have access to McFeast sauce, they can get closer to what many could consider the best of both worlds.

The seafood-based alternative to a traditional burger has been a mainstay at the Golden Arches since 1965, when McDonald's officially added Filet-O-Fish to the permanent menu nationwide. Both McDonald's customers and professional chefs alike have praised everything from its consistency to its flavorful tartar sauce, but you can easily tweak the Filet-O-Fish to better resemble the Norwegian version.

When ordering, diners can customize the fish sandwich by adding shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions, as well as ketchup and mustard. (Unfortunately, that special McFeast sauce isn't available in the States, but we'd happily take the popular tartar sauce in this global trade-off.) If you want to up the protein, you can also request a double stack of the fish patties. Between the pile of extra veggies and swirl of ketchup, mustard, and tartar sauce, the McDonald's fish sandwich instantly becomes more of a meal than a simple snack. Clearly, Norway is on to something.

Alas, this isn't the only international iteration of the famous fish sandwich worth trying — or trying to recreate. In France, you'll find the Le McFish Mayo, which swaps the tartar sauce for mayonnaise, while Asian markets have been known to serve up the filet with wasabi mayo for a spicy kick. And while not an official menu item, some fans of British cuisine have taken the creative route of stuffing fries into their Filet-O-Fish sandwich to turn it into a makeshift meal of fish and chips.