February 15, 2023
Embracing global flavors on your menu can entice new customers to your restaurant. According to a Technomic study, 73 percent of customers are more likely to visit an establishment that features new flavors and 66 percent are more likely to spend more for unique tastes. So, adding bold ingredients, like those found in international cuisine, might also help boost a guest’s experience and overall ticket price.
3 Trending Global Flavors
Global cuisine has been a rising dining trend in recent years and we expect the love of international flavors to continue. Here are the top three cuisine influences we predict will be heavy hitters this year and beyond.
1. Southeast Asian
Flavor profiles from Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines, are among the top food trends. Ube, a brilliant purple tuber from the Philippines, has been especially popular recently. The WGSN Food & Drink Influencer Map has tracked an uptick in ube interest, showing an increase of 331,000 in 2018 to 444,000 in 2021. What makes ube so popular is its recipe adaptability. Its mild sweetness makes for fantastic ice creams, pancakes, breakfast breads, cheesecakes, jams, rolls, and more.
Southeast Asian flavors don’t stop there, however. Encompassing 11 different countries and taste possibilities, southeast Asia cuisine offers a wealth of ingredients to showcase. Briny fish paste, fragrant Thai basil, dried chile powder, curry, peanut sauce, and more, all impart Southeast Asian flavors.
2. South American
The heat-forward flavors of South American cooking are proving to be a big hit with modern consumers. But South American cuisine offers more than a spicy kick. Tropical fruits like coconut, cherimoya, passionfruit, papaya, and prickly pear are other staples in this cooking style.
Beyond spicy and sweet, ample amounts of citrus, found in Peruvian ceviche, and herb-forward sauces like Argentinian chimichurri are other classic South American flavors.
3. Caribbean
The Caribbean comprises 13 countries and many other territories. The cuisine contains influences from West Africa, Amerindian, Europe, Latin America, India/South Asia, the Middle East, and China. Caribbean favorites include jerk chicken mashed green plantains, salt cod, and pickled peppers.
Caribbean cuisine might be most known for its unique combination of spices. Allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger combine for a wealth of savory applications.
Introducing International Foods to Your Menu
Do you want to add a little global flare to your restaurant menu? The good news is you don’t have to re-engineer your offerings or change your brand identity completely. A few simple tweaks—or even a weekly special—can let you experiment with internal flavors and entice customers.
- Bold Dips and Sauces: Use spices and herbs to kick your sauces and dips up a notch. Turn simple mayo into a spicy condiment with sriracha or other chile pastes. Spicy mayo is one of the hottest dips on the market that has seen a 359 percent menu increase over the last four years. Blend herbs for a house version of chimichurri and serve it over steaks, chicken, and even tofu!
- Creative Cocktails and Zero-Proof Beverages: Pull in tropical fruit flavors for your bar and non-alcoholic beverages. Consider updating your typical iced tea with passionfruit. Add prickly pear juice to margaritas. Make a lemongrass simple syrup to add to standard cocktails.
- Vinaigrettes and Marinades: Change the dynamics of a simple green salad with global flavors. Throw a dash of curry powder into Caesar salad dressing. Create a stunning ginger, soy, and lime vinaigrette. Give your classic raspberry dressing a dose of chile powder. You can also use your vinaigrette as a marinade for meat, fish, and poultry to imbue even more international flare.
Find Your New Favorite Ingredient at US Foods CHEF’STORE
Take your menu to the next level with exceptional products from CHEF’STORE. You’ll love our selection of spices, condiments, and fresh produce. Looking for premium meats, bakery goods, beverages, and paper products? We have all those and more!
Stop by one of our convenient locations to see what we offer. Need ingredients delivered directly to you? We partner with third-party delivery services.
CHEF’STORE INDUSTRY REPORT:
global flavors food trends continuing in 2023
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