Global Flavors are Trending
The latest in global food trends
As the world becomes more digitally connected and culturally diverse, consumers’ palates are evolving faster than ever before. Social media, travel, and everyday cultural exposure are fueling a growing appetite for international flavors, bold spices, and fusion dishes.
Food brands and retailers are responding by making global flavors more accessible than ever, bringing reimagined versions of international dishes into mainstream markets. Whether dining at an authentic Korean restaurant or heating up a frozen Chicken Tikka Masala from the grocery store, consumers can now explore global cuisines at their fingertips. Here’s a closer look at this trend and the global cuisines today’s consumers are craving most.
Why are Global Flavors and Foods Trending?
Surging in Popularity
Datassential reported that 47% of consumers have eaten a globally inspired dish in the past week, marking a 68% increase since 2017. This rapid growth signals more than just curiosity, it reflects a shift in how consumers think about food.
So what’s driving this rising demand for international flavors?
Social Media
Social media plays an integral role in exposing consumers to flavor trends and cuisines they otherwise may have never discovered. Whether it’s an authentic restaurant recommendation, a recipe, or cultural insight, consumers are using social media as a form of cuisine exploration. In fact, ProfileTree reported that nearly 50% of consumers depend on influencer recommendations when discovering new restaurants.
A few major trends we’ve seen trending on social media include the Dubai Chocolate Craze, Buldak ramen, and Matcha lattes. These trends are not only taking over Tik Tok, they’re also introducing Americans to global flavor profiles they may not have considered before.
Delivery Services
Gone are the days when trying a global cuisine meant flying to a new country. Today, it’s much simpler. Food delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats have allowed consumers to explore food from across the globe without ever leaving their homes.
The National Restaurant Association reports that more than half (51%) of U.S. consumers believe ordering delivery and takeout is an “essential part of their lifestyle.” That number is even higher among Gen Z (67%) and Millennials (64%), showing just how mainstream food delivery services have become, allowing consumers to taste the globe without leaving their house.
Global Cuisine at Home
The rise of global grocery stores has also made it easier for consumers to experiment on their own and try new recipes. Datassential reported that 78% of consumers live near a global grocer or ethnic market. Combined with the explosion of trending international recipes online, it’s easier than ever for consumers to recreate global flavors at home.
In addition, frozen food brands are increasingly adopting international flavors. In fact, Conagra Brands reported that sales of global street food in frozen formats grew by 26% over the past two years, reaching $543.5 million. Global cuisine is no longer niche and inaccessible, it’s becoming an easy weeknight staple in everyday kitchens.
Korean Cuisine
Expand outside of the traditional
Korean cuisine is one of the fastest‑growing global food trends in the U.S., with an 18.8% year‑over‑year increase in social discussions (Tastewise). This momentum is driven not just by the food, but by a broader cultural wave of K‑pop, K‑dramas, and K‑beauty that continues to shape American pop culture. Even Netflix releases like K‑Pop Demon Hunters highlight traditional Korean dishes, introducing new flavors to younger consumers. Together, these trends create a strong opportunity for brands to combine pop‑culture relevance with globally inspired cuisine.
Bold Flavors
Korean cooking is celebrated for bold flavor profiles, sweet‑spicy‑savory contrasts, and fermented ingredients like kimchi and gochujang. Umami rich flavors are another major component in Korean cuisine, which has seen a 49% YOY growth over the past 2 years in social discussions according to Tastewise, signaling growing consumer interest in complex flavors.
Korean-inspired products in US markets
As demand rises, major snack brands are incorporating Korean inspired flavors into mainstream products. Products we’re seeing on grocery store shelves include:
Mexican Street Food
From street eats to menus
With consumers craving bolder, spicier flavors, many are turning to the smoky heat and vibrant profiles of Mexican cuisine. In fact, Tastewise reported that Social conversations about Mexican food have grown 13.79% YOY, with snack foods being the top consumer need. This interest is supported by rising demand for ingredients like jalapeño, which has seen 18.6% YOY growth, and chipotle, which is up 19.4% YOY (Tastewise).
Antojitos
A major driver of this momentum is the rising demand for antojitos, which translates to “little cravings” in English. Tastewise repoted Antojitos have had a 44% YOY growth in social discussions, which encompasses traditional Mexican street food offerings. Some standout dishes that consumers are currently raving about include, Elote (+28.3% YOY); Street tacos (+18.3% YOY); and Birria (+21.8% YOY).
Snackable and Convenient Formats
As these foods gain popularity, brands are translating them into snackable and convenient formats that fit consumers onthego lifestyles. This has led to a wave of products inspired by Mexican street flavors, such as:
Southeast Asian Cuisine
Trending online and on Menus
Celebrated for iconic comfort dishes like Vietnamese phở, Filipino adobo, and Thai curry, Southeast Asian cuisine is experiencing a surge in global popularity. These beloved meals showcase vibrant aromatics and layered flavors, offering a balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and umami notes. Core ingredients such as lime, lemongrass, coconut milk, and fermented sauces give the cuisine its signature depth and freshness, making every bite both comforting and boldly flavorful. Here are some popular Southeast Asian cuisines we’re seeing on menus today.
Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine is rooted in fresh aromatics and balanced, vibrant flavor profiles. Comforting staples such as phở, fresh spring rolls, and bánh mì continue to gain global traction, with bánh mì alone experiencing a 30.78% YOY growth (Tastewise). This growing interest reflects a broader consumer shift toward lighter, fresher meals centered on herbs, vegetables, and clean flavors.
Viet-Cajun
At the same time, fusion trends such as Viet‑Cajun, which is an innovative blend of traditional Creole/Cajun seafood boils and Vietnamese seasonings have introduced the cuisine to new audiences. These hybrid concepts not only celebrate cultural crossover but also help fuel the rising momentum behind Vietnamese food worldwide
Thai Cuisine
Thai cuisine is another cuisine that’s surging in popularity, with a 19.21% YOY increase in social conversations (Tastewise). A driver of this trend is the rising interest in “swicy” (sweet‑and‑spicy) flavor profiles, which have seen an impressive 88.1% YOY growth in social discussions over the past 2 years (Tastewise). Ingredients like Tamarind are also gaining traction, showing a 12.2% YOY growth (Tastewise), further fueling the demand for traditional Thai flavors.
Thai-Flavor Innovations
These flavors are also making their way into snack and frozen food formats, combining the swicy, nutty, and herby flavors of Thai cuisine. Examples on the shelves today include.
Filipino Cuisine
Filipino cuisine is a rich blend of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American influences, layered with classic Philippine culinary traditions. Known for comforting favorites like adobo, lumpia, and sinigang, the cuisine balances spicy, sour, and umami elements to create deeply satisfying, multidimensional flavors. According to Tastewise, social conversations surrounding Filipino cuisine have grown 23.67% over the past year, reinforcing its status as an emerging food trend.
Popularity in U.S.
As Filipino flavors and culture gain visibility across restaurants and social media, they are becoming an increasingly celebrated part of the U.S. culinary landscape. This rising interest reflects not only the cuisine’s bold, approachable flavors but also a broader appreciation for Filipino identity and foodways within the global dining scene.
How Can Food Companies Leverage this Trend?
Convenience is Key: Consumers increasingly reach for products that deliver global flavors in easy, ready to eat formats. Frozen meals, heat and serve entrees, and snackable versions of international dishes allow shoppers to explore new cuisines without extra thought or preparation.
Adopt bold flavor profiles and spice: Today’s consumers are craving bold and complex flavor profiles such as sweet heat and umami-rich flavor. Incorporating ingredients like gochujang, chipotle, and jalapeno can help brands meet consumer cravings for bold flavors experiences.
Social media is a driver of food trends: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are driving the rise of global cuisines by spotlighting viral dishes and ingredients. Food brands can lean into this by tapping into the current trends and creating short-form content.
Pair Global Flavors Wit Something Familiar: Offering global flavors in familiar format such as chips, dips, and frozen meals can help make trying new cuisines feel less intimidating and more accessible.
Interested in developing a globally-inspired seasoning?
Reach out to our talented LifeSpice team today! We’ll take the time to learn about your product and develop the perfect seasoning to take your product to the next level.