McDonald’s McRib Returns, Stirring Nostalgic Memories for Fans After Years of Absence

After years of anticipation, McDonald’s is bringing back the beloved McRib for a limited time starting October 16. For many fans, this iconic pork sandwich, drenched in barbecue sauce, stirs deep nostalgia, reminding them of cherished memories from their childhoods.

McDonald’s Introduced the Oriental McRib in 1998, Sparking Nostalgia and a Lifelong Love for Fans

In 1998, amidst the release of Mulan in UK cinemas and Billie Piper's chart-topping single Girlfriend, McDonald’s introduced a new burger – the Oriental McRib. It was part of the chain’s "Tastes of The Orient" menu, accompanied by a rather unforgettable (and cringeworthy) TV advert. Even though it tasted nothing like it’s supposed namesake region, it quickly became a beloved item for many, including one young fan who discovered it was the most delicious thing he’d ever eaten.

According to Metro, this McRib was a succulent pork burger drenched in barbecue sauce, topped with fried onions, and nestled in a toasted sesame bun. It was love at first bite for a child who already adored McDonald’s. The tangy barbecue sauce, the juicy meat, and the satisfying crunch of the fried onions made even the long-time favorite McChicken sandwich pale in comparison.

But as soon as he’d found his new comfort meal, the McRib was gone. Without any warning, it disappeared from the menu. The sudden absence felt like an early lesson in loss—comparable only to childhood moments of grief, like watching Littlefoot mourn in The Land Before Time or Simba’s heartbreaking scene with Mufasa in The Lion King. Yet life moved on, and he eventually found solace in McChicken sandwiches and chicken nuggets, though the memory of the McRib lingered.

Years later, in university, he found a kindred spirit in Iain, a friend who shared the same fond memories of the elusive McRib. They bonded over their mutual nostalgia, exchanging stories about the burger like others would about childhood heroes.

Then, in 2014, something unexpected happened. The McRib returned. No longer incorrectly dubbed “The Taste of The Orient,” it was back on the menu. With a renewed sense of urgency, he indulged in more McRibs than was advisable during the few weeks they were available, savoring every bite as if it were his last. When the McRib was taken off the menu again, he and his flatmate bid it a proper farewell in a final meal at McDonald’s on Oxford Street, a moment forever memorialized in a tearful Instagram post.

McDonald’s Announces McRib’s Limited-Time Return in the UK, Reviving Nostalgic Memories for Fans

While the McRib continued to be a permanent fixture in Japan’s McDonald’s menus, its appearances were fleeting in the UK. But today, McDonald’s has announced the return of the McRib for a limited time, starting on October 16. Now, at 36, the fan can’t consume fast food with the same reckless abandon as before, but the excitement of being reunited with the McRib feels akin to reconnecting with an old friend.

Though life has changed, and there isn’t space for daily indulgences like in the past, the McRib's return brings nostalgic comfort—a reminder that while people come and go, the McRib always comes back—steady, unchanged, and reliable. And that, perhaps, is what makes it more than just a burger.