About 65% of Generation Z consumers are looking for good value for their money when it comes to eating out.
According to Unilever Food Solutions' (UFS) third annual Future Menus 2025 report, Asian tastes are surpassing conventional European dishes.
The report said that Chinese Japanese cuisine has risen to become one of the world’s most favored types of food among various age groups globally, with Korean and Mexican tastes gaining traction as well. This worldwide change is fueling four key dining industry trends highlighted in the report.
The initial trend, known as Street Food Couture, involves elevating conventional street foods to a more upscale level. Gourmet restaurants are incorporating these dishes from the streets into high-end menus, driven largely by the preferences of Generation Z who lead this demand. Sixty-five percent of Gen Z diners prioritize getting good value for their money. Among others, Mexican, Indian, Korean, and Filipino street cuisines are seeing increased interest, particularly Filipino fare which has gained significant popularity both in the United States and across Asia.
The second trend is known as Borderless Cuisine, wherein globalization and migration are merging various culinary traditions. Chefs are fusing tastes from multiple cultures, frequently inspired by their personal multicultured upbringings. Interestingly, seventy-six percent of tourists express enthusiasm about discovering local eating customs.
Moreover, chefs are embracing Culinary Roots, resurrecting traditional and highly localized cuisines. There is an increasing fascination with less familiar dishes originating from places like Hunan, Emirati, Basque, and Oaxacan territories.
Ultimately, the desire for tailored dining encounters has spurred the emergence of Diner Designed. People are looking for deeper involvement and customization in their culinary experiences, with 47% choosing to invest in experiences over physical possessions nowadays.