Lorde's secret onion ring Instagram, Onion Rings Worldwide, is back in action

In the world of fast-food, onion rings are a fickle favourite. Variables such as batter, seasoning and the onion itself can make or break the humble side-dish - but lucky for Kiwis this summer, a famous face has returned to her post as Instagram's official onion ring reviewer.

In 2017, Kiwi hitmaker Lorde was linked to a newly-established Instagram account, 'Onion Rings Worldwide', by Newshub's Anna Bracewell-Worrall via a series of clues. Bracewell-Worrall's suspicions were later confirmed when Lorde, presented with the account by talk show host Jimmy Fallon, confessed she was the foodie behind the onion ring ratings.

The account, which had a mere 24 followers before Newshub's investigation, was taken down shortly after questions were sent to Lorde's management. Now, more than three years later, Onion Rings Worldwide has made a comeback - with four new posts shared in the space of a day.

"Don't call it a crumb back," the user - presumed to be the singer - quipped in the first post following her hiatus.

The account, which has now amassed more than 25,000 followers, was overrun with fans applauding Lorde's apparent return to her onion ring side project. 

"Missed you so much, hope you're well, I love you [so much]," one follower commented.

"What! Three posts in one day! Fantastic," said another.

The second post awarded a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars to onion rings served by the popular Fergburger restaurant in Queenstown.

"Mates, she was a good onion ring," she wrote. "Great crunch, full distinct rings. So good I forgot to take a pic until the end."

That was quickly followed by a third review, which revealed the reasons behind Lorde's three-year absence.

"I’ve got to be honest with you, this reviewer stopped ordering onion rings after her identity was leaked to the press in the great debacle of 2017. I’d get a smile and a wink from waitstaff - it got embarrassing, you know?" the 'Royals' hitmaker confessed. 

"But it occurred to me that some things are too good to let the internet spoil. Which brings us to the Crusty Crab fish and chip shop in beautiful Russell. Really good ring, sort of a reconstituted onion pulp situation but it conjured a Proustian nostalgia for days past. 3.5/5."

The last review to be shared on Monday was a "perfectly seasoned" offering from Auckland's John Dory's Takeaways, a 3.8 out of 5 that amassed more than 18,000 likes.

"Ah, the fish and chip shop ring. Humble, honest. Did I miss the crunch of a true battered ring biting into this? Perhaps. But it was perfectly seasoned, and brought joy. 3.8/5."

So for Kiwis looking for the perfect deep-fried treat this summer, Lorde's got you covered.