Sixty-five percent of Generation Z consumers are looking for good value for their money when it comes to dining out.

According to Unilever Food Solutions’ (UFS) third yearly 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 beloved culinary options among various age groups globally, with Korean and Mexican tastes gaining traction as well. This worldwide change is fueling four key dining trends highlighted in the report.

The initial trend, called Street Food Couture, involves elevating classic street foods to high-end culinary offerings. Top chefs are integrating street food concepts into upscale restaurants, with Generation Z driving this preference. Sixty-five percent of Gen Z diners prioritize getting good value for their money. Among these trends, 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 called Borderless Cuisine, which emerges as globalization and migration merge various culinary traditions. In this practice, chefs integrate tastes from multiple cultures, frequently inspired by their personal multicultured experiences. Interestingly, seventy-six percent of tourists express enthusiasm about delving into local gastronomic scenes.

Moreover, chefs are embracing Culinary Roots, bringing back 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 propelled the emergence of Diner Designed. People are looking for more engaging and customized food experiences, with 47% choosing to invest in experiences over physical possessions nowadays.