If you're a foodie and you love to try food trends that are hot and happening, you'll
enjoy this list.
Whether you love exotic cuisine or simpler, more conventional fare, you'll find something
on this list that is well worth sampling.
We love to discover the freshest trends in food.
These trends are taking the world by storm and will be everywhere next year.
So be sure to expand your culinary horizons after the ball drops to ring in the New Year.
So here we go - the Top 10 Food Trends of 2019!
Katsu Are Japanese Fried Pork Cutlets
If you're a pork lover, ring in the new year with a steaming plate of pork Katsu.
These Japanese pork cutlets are usually served with rice and cabbage salad.
Head out to a Japanese eatery to enjoy them, perhaps with a little Sapporo or sake, or
make your own.
To prepare pork Katsu at home, you'll need boneless pork chops, salt, and pepper, an
egg, Panko breadcrumbs, flour and oil for frying.
You'll find that whipping up these tasty pork cutlets isn't too complicated.
In fact, it'll probably be fun.
You'll be making a trendy recipe that you can prepare again and again.
If you're not into pork, make chicken Katsu instead.
It's also a popular Japanese dish, although it won't be as happening in 2019 as the Japanese
pork cutlets will.
The cabbage salad served with pork Katsu is a Japanese take on coleslaw.
If you love meat and you're a coleslaw fan, this trendy Japanese meal idea will be right
up your alley.
While you may already enjoy a lot of Japanese fare, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, and
teriyaki, there is more to discover when it comes to traditional Japanese food.
Trying new dishes is a great way to branch out.
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Taiwanese Fare Is Taking Over
Bubble tea isn't the only Taiwanese treat.
Residents and tourists in big "foodie" destinations, such as L.A. and the Big Apple, have been
trying out less famous dishes with Taiwanese origins.
Examples include drunken chicken, fly's head, beef noodles flavored with fragrant anise
and pungent "stinky" tofu.
Fly's head is really on trend for next year.
It's made with ground pork, black beans that have been fermented, chili and garlic chives.
If you're curious about the interestingly named, "stinky tofu", you should know that
it's extremely popular in Taiwan.
It's a dish that many people love, although it does have its critics.
Made from fermented tofu, it's got a very strong smell, which has been likened to the
strongest blue cheese, or wet, dirty socks.
The deep-fried version of stinky tofu generally has the most pungent aroma.
This dish is not for the faint of heart.
If you're not afraid of the most intense flavors, it may be right for you.
If you're feeling adventurous next year and want to try something new, finding a Taiwanese
eatery that offers fly's head or stinky tofu, or both will definitely be fun.
Food From The "Stans" Is Gaining Popularity
When people immigrate from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and the other countries known as
the "Stans” - they’re bringing their culinary traditions right along with them.
Food from the stans used to be referred to by the catch-all term, Turkish food, but the
new term, "Stans", is a better indicator of exactly where this type of cuisine originates.
"Stans" cuisine is all about Eurasian flavors.
For newcomers to the food of the Stans, there is so much to discover.
This food features some delectable seasonings, including chive, garlic, spinach, parsley,
tarragon, cilantro, and dill.
While these seasonings may not be new to you, finding a restaurant that offers this type
of food, or finding an authentic recipe and making it yourself at home, will be the best
way to see how meat, liver, beans, eggplant, and noodles are prepared in the Stans.
In the new year, treat yourself to a tasty Kazakh Beef Soup, or another traditional "Stans"
recipe.
Find a local eatery that offers this trendy fare or make it yourself.
Chinese Hot Pot Eateries Will Be Jam-Packed
If you're craving Chinese food in 2019, go for Szechuan Chinese food.
Find a hot pot eatery that's authentically Szechuan Chinese and then partake of a steaming
communal hot pot with your friends, co-workers or family.
A lot of new hot pot restaurants are popping up in North America, to meet increased demand.
Examples of chain restaurants that offer this kind of trendy fare include Hubby Cattle,
Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot and HaidiLao.
If you love the experience of sharing food, this 2019 food trend will be fun to try.
You'll be able to chat with your table-mates as all of you dip veggies, tofu and meat into
a swirling, seething hotpot.
Once your morsels are cooked in a hotpot, you may dip them into a garlic and sesame
oil sauce and enjoy their rich, complex flavor profiles.
During the cold-weather months, the appeal of Szechuan Chinese hot pot rises even higher.
Eating hot pot is a great way to warm up from the inside out.
It's also an awesome social activity.
Personalized Foods Will Be On The Menu
If you take the "food as fuel" approach, this particular trend may intrigue you.
In 2019, more and more people are going to send in blood tests and DNA swab tests which
will allow them to receive customized diet plans that are based on their own blood test
results and DNA information.
There is a company offering these ultra-personalized diet plans right now.
It's called Habit.
If you choose Habit, you'll need to drink a special drink before taking your samples.
There may be other companies that provide the same service.
When you opt for this type of service, you'll send in samples and then await information
about exactly what you should eat.
Some people are able to eat a range of foods and feel great and healthy, while others should
be more focused in terms of what they consume.
While some people might not put much stock in the personalized food trend, others really
believe in it.
Some people are advised to seek out more fat as a source of fuel, while others are encouraged
to eat more fiber.
People who get the tests do tend to make an effort to follow their plans.
It's a fascinating new way of eating that is based on hard science.
Modern Consumers Will Want More Protein
Lots of people try to follow diets that are high-protein, such as the Keto Diet and Atkins.
They want more protein because it facilitates weight loss.
If you've ever gained weight eating bad carbs, and lost weight when you gave them up or cut
down on eating them, you already know that opting for protein over carbs is a solid weight
loss strategy.
While weight loss results always vary, many people have gotten good results by eating
more protein, such as beef, versus carbs.
In 2019, consumers are going to be looking for more high-quality protein sources.
Beef sales are expected to rise due to consumer demand.
Nose to tail eating styles are also in vogue.
Nose to tail is all about eating almost every part of an animal.
Some chefs embraced the nose to tail trend long ago.
It's also been popular in certain cultures, such as the Philippines, for ages.
While some of us may find that the nose to tail trend makes us squeamish, it is practical,
as there is little to no waste.
Naturally, vegetarians will cringe at the whole nose to tail movement, but veggie fare
is also gaining popularity and this creates a bit of balance.
Look For Inventive Flavors With A Global Vibe
If you love the idea of food fusion, don't hesitate to experiment with a blend of global
cuisine styles in just one dish.
For example, you might try a sushi burrito that's loaded with roe, raw fish, sticky rice
and avocado and wrapped in a traditional burrito tortilla.
In 2019, menu items that incorporate more than one global style are going to be in demand.
Fusion cuisine is inventive and fun.
It's a break from the tried and true.
Middle Eastern flavors are expected to be very popular.
For example, spice mixes from Jordan, Turkey, and Palestine may be prevalent in fusion cuisine.
Mint, jam made from tomatoes and Tahini are fusion cuisine ingredients to watch for next
year.
Also, keep an eye out for fusion food with a bit of Indian inspiration.
Indian flavors that are likely to surface in fusion cuisine in 2019 include curry, cardamom,
and sesame.
While you'll have no trouble finding fusion cuisine at restaurants, there's no reason
why you can't come up with your own recipes.
Think of two food styles that you love and then devise a creative way of combining them
in one dish.
For example, you might add a traditional Asian sauce to Italian Gnocchi, or something like
that.
Have fun with it.
Food Brands With Gen Z Values Will Be Prized
Gen Z'ers are very mindful when it comes to choosing food brands that echo their own values.
This is why you'll see more food brands marketing to Gen Z customers, by sharing brand stories
and brand messages that resonate with younger, hipper customers.
Gen Z'ers generally want non-GMO brands.
They're more likely to buy organic and they appreciate independent companies that produce
food in eco-conscious ways.
Brands that offer "real food" will also be very popular with Gen Z'ers next year.
Younger customers don't want a lot of filler or artificial ingredients in the foods that
they consume.
They are looking for brands which will offer more food purity.
They are searching for authenticity from companies that produce foods.
Brands like Eden Foods, which aren't new, but which have great reputations because they
are offer non-GMO foods that are completely organic, will have an edge with modern, young
Gen Z'ers.
New brands will try to get that type of credibility.
Younger consumers know a lot about what they want from food and what they don't want.
This food trend ties into another current food trend, which is transparency from food
providers.
Gen Z'ers and some others want to know exactly what's in their food.
Some fast food restaurants, such as Panera, spearheaded this trend by offering complete
nutritional information about their menu items, long before it was really trendy.
Companies that are transparent about their ingredients and how those ingredients are
produced will become popular next year, or hang onto to their popularity.
Veggie Cuisine Will Be Hotter Than Ever
Whether you're a vegetarian or just enjoy the odd Meatless Monday, you should know that
vegetarian cuisine will be trending in 2019.
According to Uber Eats, vegan food is also going to be a red-hot trend next year.
The food delivery service reports that many customers ordered plant-based foods during
2018 and Uber Eats anticipates even more veggie-based orders in 2019.
Examples of popular dishes ordered by health-conscious and ethics-conscious consumers included hummus
and avocado toast.
Avocado toast was undoubtedly the hottest food trend in 2018.
Will any other dish eclipse avocado toast in 2019?
Time will tell...
As people become increasingly concerned with health and wellness, anticipate a rise in
alternative protein sources that are vegetarian, such as seitan and tofu.
Pumpkin, chia, farro, bulgar, and agave are hot vegetarian ingredients that people are
more interested in these days.
It's pretty easy to find good vegetarian food in most cities now.
It's also easy to whip up tasty and hearty veggie stir-fries at home.
Vegetarians and vegans do need to pay careful attention to nutrition.
They need to ensure that they're getting all of the right nutrients.
However, a lot of vegetarians and vegans are very educated about how to give their bodies
what they need.
Spring Pancakes aka Chinese Crepes
Spring pancakes from Northern China are easy to eat.
They're street food.
They're also becoming very popular in other countries.
There are two main forms of Northern Chinese spring pancakes and they are Chunbing and
Jianbing.
Chunbing are Northern Chinese spring pancakes which look a bit like burritos.
They feature wheat flour wrappers which hold a host of delicious fillings, such as stir-fried
veggies and braised proteins.
People feast on Chunbing or other "bings" during a special day known as lichun, which
celebrates the advent of spring.
Hence the name, spring pancake.
These spring pancakes emerged during the Jin dynasty and have been popular since the days
of the Tang dynasty.
Jianbing aren't as similar to burritos.
They are more like crepes and contain egg fillings and savory and sweet sauces.
Jianbing really hit the spot for breakfast.
If you haven't tried Northern China spring pancakes, you should know that they're on
trend for 2019.
Jianbing appeared thousands of years ago, in Northern China, so they are very traditional.
How a jianbing is made will depend on where in China it's made.
People in China line up for these treats.
They taste fantastic and that's why they are becoming popular outside of Northern China.
One restaurant that is ahead of the curve is Montreal Chinese Crepes and Dumplings.
Serving up Chinese crepes from its small rectangular space in Montreal, this little gem has become
a popular hot spot for a trendy delicious specialty Chinese crepes that keep people
coming back.
The husband & wife owners have taken Jian Bing Guo a step further by adding West Indian
influences in the form of Jerk Beef.
Winter or summer, the savory crepes & dumplings always hit the spot whether you're getting
them to go or you manage to find a seat in this little gem nestled right next to a flower
shop.
So if you are in Montreal and looking to jump in on the food trend bandwagon, stop in at
Montreal Chinese Crepes and Dumplings - they were doing what they do before it was even
trendy.
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