We're pretty open to new fast food joints arriving on our shores, except when we don't know what they are.
The Filipino chain, Jollibee, is set to arrive in Australia in 2017, Jollibee's vice-president of international markets, Dennis Flores announced at the end of October. But what exactly is it?
It's been dubbed as Asia's answer to McDonald's, with 801 stores in the Phillipines, plus stores in Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Brunei. There are also locations across the Middle East and the U.S.
Filipinos are pretty damn proud of Jollibee's success and feel a great sense of achievement at seeing the local chain go global, hence the chain is expanding primarily in locations with large communities of people with Filipino backgrounds.
Jollibee's menu is best described as an Americanised take on Filipino food -- so here's a look at what they serve up.
One of the faves: Fried chicken and spaghetti, but with a sweeter tomato-based sauce.
My first meal... when I got back in the Philippines #firstmeal #jollibee #craving #chickenspaghetti #loveit #crispychicken #delish #yummy #californiatophilippines A photo posted by Marielle A. Thomas (@iellelamar) on Nov 25, 2015 at 3:34pm PST
You can also get fried chicken, rice and fried eggs for breakfast.
#JOLLIBEE's #ChickenJoyBreakfast is a delight! :P #breakfast #foodie #foodgasm #foodlove #pinoy #chickenjoy #friedchicken #meals #chickenmeal #vscofood #vscolove #budgetmeal #ricemeal #instafood #photooftheday A photo posted by Regi Lopez Luis (@regikins) on Nov 24, 2015 at 6:06pm PST
How about a pancake sandwich with bacon and eggs?
A sunny☀️Saturday #breakfastonthego #pancakesandwich #happytumtum #yummy #yummyinmytummy #jollibee 11.21.15 #pancake #sandwich #bacon #egg #cheese A photo posted by @septembergirl888 on Nov 20, 2015 at 6:39pm PST
There are regular burgers on the menu too -- this one's called the Amazing Aloha Champ.
Oh can’t nobody do it like you Said every little thing you do Hey baby say it stays on my mind And I, I’m officially missin you #namisskita #burger #burgerlove #iloveyousabado #jollibee #food #instalike #loveit #igdaily #yum A photo posted by @iamleehyu01 on Nov 20, 2015 at 12:10pm PST
Burgers are also served naked, kinda. This has mushroom gravy on top of a patty, with fries, an egg and rice.
Bida ang saya! Lol kain pa more. #jollibee #food A photo posted by EJ Ormita (@morethanaconqueror) on Nov 16, 2015 at 12:45am PST
Hot Dogs are topped with a "slightly tangy, cheese-based topping," then more cheese and ketchup.
Jolly Hotdog! :D #Food #FoodPorn #LamonFiles #Hotdog #Jollibee A photo posted by Jason Imperio (@jaceunbalanced) on Nov 21, 2015 at 6:31pm PST
Never mind the apple pie, why not give the mango and peach pie a go?
Yummy Peach Mango Pie #alltimefavorite #jollibee #peachmangopie A photo posted by Rose Mendoza (@rosesj18) on Nov 25, 2015 at 5:04am PST
Or mango and peach... in sundae form.
Tinikman ko ang Peach Mango Sundae tanaaaan ang saraaap! #jollibee A photo posted by Dough-Row-Tea (@dorothyvargas) on Nov 17, 2015 at 7:58pm PST
For something different, try the Halo Halo: red beans, white beans, chickpeas, green jelly, coconut, ice and even flan. Anthony Bourdain likes it.
@soycamille #halohalo #insulin #jollibee #panoramacity A photo posted by bayani rodriguez (@bayanirodriguez) on Nov 24, 2015 at 2:08pm PST
Now we get it. Jolly Bee = Jollibee. Prepare yourself for this face.
ジョリビー可愛い#jollibee #philippines A photo posted by Shunta Kawai (@skscarlet) on Nov 21, 2015 at 2:49am PST