The trends are in, and global fare continues to grow on menus. Consumers are seeking to expand their palates with unexpected flavors, and any dish can be a culinary adventure with new levels of savory, sweet and spicy.

Whether it’s Mexican, Argentinian, or Southeast Asian, bold is what people are craving and Gen Z’ers are most willing to take a leap of faith when it comes to trying new flavors. Their social sharing quickly increases awareness of regional food discoveries.¹

The younger generation is leading the menu trends train as nearly 60% of the one billion TikTok users are Gen Z². TikTok, and social media in general, will continue to have a huge impact on food trends and restaurant menus as new flavors, ingredients and prep methods are shared at viral speeds. In fact, last year, The National Restaurant Association cited social media as a top macro trend. ¹

Social media creates a community around food and encourages users to explore new cuisines or recipes. For example, Technomic references the Egg flight trend of 2024 - noting that this trend encouraged users to explore different egg preparation methods.³

This year, expect to see more content specific to Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino cuisine. Consumers are learning more about the unique flavor profiles, potential wellness benefits and serving styles of cuisines from Southeast Asia. In fact, the NRA states “exposure to hyper-regional Asian cuisine is increasing on social media and streaming services that import myriad dramas, comedies, cooking shows and food documentaries.” ⁴

Operators should be aware of dishes that are trending on social as they think of new LTOs, flavors or items to bring onto their menu. Keep in mind, their “phone eats first,” so building a share-worthy dish is important.

Content courtesy of Burke Corporation

¹National Restaurant Association, What’s Hot 2024 Culinary Forecast

²QSR, Hottest Food Trends for 2024

³Technomic, 2025 U.S. & Global Menu Trends

⁴National Restaurant Association, What’s Hot 2025 Culinary Forecast