Global street foods are here to stay! It’s no secret that consumers have grown increasingly adventurous, expanding their horizons through exotic global cuisines. Street foods have emerged as a popular option for experimenting with international specialties. This trend is driven by consumers’ desires for authenticity and discovering what it would be like to eat as a local in faraway, unfamiliar destinations.
Consumers’ cravings for street food continue to evolve as different global cuisines take center stage. Keep reading for our experts’ insights into up-and-coming street foods and how brands can capitalize on this trend to launch buzzworthy new products.
Loving Latin American Street Snacks
Consumers have come to love the vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients featured in Latin American dishes, including traditional street foods. While elote, tacos, and churros have long been popular, more recently, consumers have been seeking out street foods that are not as widely known. This trend is fueled by consumers’ desires to treat their eating experiences as a form of exploration and tourism – even when they’re in the comfort of their own kitchens. It’s all about developing an appreciation for another culture by discovering a street food that is truly unique to a specific country or region.
As consumers have been expanding their Latin American street food experiences, they’ve encountered – and fallen in love with – street foods like choripán, an Argentinian chorizo sandwich smothered in chimichurri sauce, and picarones, Peruvian sweet potato and squash donuts.
Authentic Mexican cuisine has been particularly trendy lately, as consumers have been eager to embrace specialties from south of the border. Birria tacos, which feature marinated meat and come with a flavorful side of broth for dipping, for example, have been in-demand with consumers lately.
When it comes to flavor inspiration, Latin American street food is full of possibilities! Brands should embrace the diverse flavors of trending street foods when innovating to launch new products.
Focusing on Asian Street Food Favorites
Given that Asian cuisines, across the board, have been winning over consumers, it makes sense that many trending global street foods hail from Asia. Right now, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and
Malaysian cuisines have captivated consumers’ cravings, and street foods from these countries are among the most sought after.
For example, tanghulu, candied fruit that is served on a skewer and commonly sold in street markets in China, Korea, and Japan, has gone viral on social media, with consumers around the world attempting their own at-home recipes of this popular snack. Lumpia, an egg roll-like street food found in Indonesia and the Philippines, has also piqued consumers’ interest, as they’ve grown obsessed with discovering Southeast Asian specialties.
Indian cuisine has been another popular source of inspiration for consumers’ at-home street food creations, with recipes for samosas, dosas, and momos trending on social media. Dumplings and fried sweet or savory pastries, in general, have been among consumers’ favorite Asian street foods to try, especially when paired with an authentic dipping sauce.
Foodservice, frozen food, and baked good brands should consider adding Asian street foods to their lineups to lean into consumers’ obsessions with global cuisines. Brands of all types can also draw flavor inspiration from trendy Asian street foods for new products and LTOs that will truly stand out.
Culivision Insight
To get ahead of this trend, it’s important to pay attention to up-and-coming street foods from around the world. Our trend experts in China, Brazil, and Europe offered their insights into promising street food trends that brands may want to draw inspiration from.
According to our affiliates in China, boboji, spicy cold chicken skewers, are trending in Asia. Boboji has captivated consumers with its complex flavors, bold aroma, and photogenic appeal. Combining traditional Sichuan craftsmanship with modern viral marketing, boboji has achieved remarkable market penetration and is poised for global expansion.
In Europe, gourmet hot dogs are taking hold. This classic is being upgraded with high-quality ingredients, like truffle mayo, organic sausages, fermented vegetables, and special artisan buns,
turning hot dogs into a premium product.
According to our affiliates in Brazil, some street food innovations in South America are centered around turning classic dishes into bite-sized portions. For example, escondidinho, a layered dish traditionally made with mashed cassava or potatoes and meat, is being adapted into street-friendly snack portions – like mini cups or croquettes – making it a hearty and local comfort food option.
Feeling inspired by street food? Our R&D and culinary experts have got you covered! Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.