It Was Created to Promote Disney’s Mulan McDonald's introduced the Szechuan Sauce in 1998 as part of a promotional tie-in with Disney’s animated movie Mulan. It was meant to evoke the flavors of Chinese cuisine and complement the theme of the film.
It Was Only Available for a Limited Time The sauce was initially available for just a few months, making it a rare and nostalgic item for fans who tasted it during its brief run.
Rick and Morty Made It a Cultural Sensation The Szechuan Sauce gained cult status after being referenced in a 2017 episode of Rick and Morty. The show’s protagonist, Rick, declared it his life’s mission to taste the sauce again, sparking a frenzy among fans.
It Returned Again in 2018 with a Bigger Rollout Learning from their mistakes, McDonald’s reintroduced Szechuan Sauce in 2018 with a much larger supply, ensuring that more fans could get their hands on it.
The Flavor Is Inspired by Chinese Cuisine The sauce features a blend of sweet and tangy flavors with hints of soy, garlic, and ginger, designed to complement McDonald's Chicken McNuggets. However, it's not authentically "Szechuan" in the traditional sense of Chinese cuisine.
Packets of the Sauce Have Become Collector’s Items Original 1998 packets of Szechuan Sauce have sold for hundreds of dollars on auction sites like eBay. Even the re-released versions are highly sought after by collectors.
It’s Been Reintroduced Several Times Since 2020 McDonald's has occasionally re-released Szechuan Sauce, including a limited drop in 2022 available exclusively through their app. These events continue to generate excitement among fans.
The Recipe Has Sparked DIY Versions Fans who couldn’t get their hands on the sauce have tried to recreate it at home. Online recipes attempt to replicate its iconic sweet-and-savory taste using ingredients like hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar.