Burger King Corp, the second largest hamburger chain, revealed the contents of its newest menu addition the “Fake Burger” that was announced last week Japan.

The “Fake Burger” revelation is no burger at all, but instead, a french fries sandwich, a creation that has been present in the Middle East for years.

While this concept is new to Burger King and Japan, the patty-less sandwich isn’t a new one. The French fry sandwich has been around for years across the Arab World, where its called the “sandwich batata” (French fries sandwich.)

Nestled in the Hamra neighborhood in Beirut , Lebanon, Malak Al-Batata (King of Fries) on Hamra Main Street, boasts it’s namesake best seller — the batata sandwich. Sold for almost LL 3,000 ($2), a diner can get the large, toasted, fry-filled sandwich and even watch the chefs prepare it behind the glass counter in typical deli fashion.

The sandwich batata consists of a pita bread stuffed with crunchy coleslaw, sweet ketchup, crispy golden French fries that is then toasted and served, providing an ideal example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

In comparison, the new ‘Fake Burger’ costs 290 yen ($2.78) and consists of fries loaded into a bun with meat sauce and mayonnaise.

Upon Burger King’s announcement of the possible introduction a French fries sandwich in New Zealand in February, Arabs across social media were quick to remind the world of the sandwich batata and attempt to lay claim to the delicious creation.

When news spread of Burger King’s possible introduction a French fries burger in New Zealand, Arabs took to social media in their droves to defend the beloved batata sandwich.

“They’ve appropriated the batata sandwich,” tweeted Abed Ayoub, the legal and policy director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

They’ve appropriated the batata sandwich. https://t.co/TsvNOt8tS9

— Abed A. Ayoub (@aayoub) February 18, 2020

“The only true kings of this sandwich (are) Malak Al-Taouk and Malak Al-Batata. Y’all are frauds,” tweeted Ibn Battouta Jr.

The only true kings of this sandwich is Malek El Taouk and Malek El Batata

Y'all are frauds https://t.co/RWiEBbrTIE

— Ibn Battouta Jr (@Ghassann555) February 18, 2020

“Otherwise known as “Batata Sandwich”, trending in Lebanon before independence in 1943,”

Otherwise known as “Batata Sandwich”, trending in Lebanon before independence in 1943.

Test away, @BurgerKing https://t.co/GG0bxS3qez

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) February 18, 2020

“Feeling like a hipster (because) in Lebanon we (have) been eating sandwich batata since like 1914,” another user, Batenjeen, tweeted.

Feeling like a hipster cs in Lebanon we been eating sandwich batata since like 1914 https://t.co/oQBT7elR5L

— problem child (@Lunaticpotato) February 18, 2020

Although Arabs may lay claim to this invention — and have called out Burger King for being late to the game — they aren’t the only ones with similar sandwiches.

The UK version is named the chip butty, while the South African fare is called the chip roll — both of which are made with chips (fries) on buttered white bread or a bread roll, often with an added condiment such as brown sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise or malt vinegar.

“Burger king japan has discovered the chip butty,” tweeted Sam Byford, the Asia Editor at the American technology news website Verge.

https://twitter.com/345triangle/status/1319519027819991042?s=20