Supermarket Perimeter - November 2024 - 30

Deli
3 trends
spotted in
Wegmans'
Asian
prepared
foods
1
According to
Wegmans, all seafood
used is sustainably
sourced.
2
For nearly every
Asian
cuisines
By Hayley Hyer
IN RECENT YEARS, instore deli departments have begun offering a
wider selection of prepared foods inspired by Asia-Pacific cuisines.
Myojo, a Japanese noodle manufacturer based in Chino, Calif.,
has been supplying supermarkets since 1991 but has seen a boost in
popularity for Asian cuisine since 2020.
" Recently, the popularity of Asian food has surged, " Myojo said.
" Trendy recipes like 'Birria Ramen' and 'Vietnamese Pizza' are taking
over Instagram and TikTok. Asian supermarkets are now easier to find
in urban areas, and Asian ingredients and seasonings are becoming
essentials in general supermarkets. "
Myojo attributes the increased acceptance of Asian cuisines to
consumers trying more at-home cooking, the availability of information
on the internet, and " the role of second-generation Asian-Americans
who actively share their cultural heritage and cuisine on social media,
sparking curiosity and interest in authentic Asian dishes. "
Because of this, US consumers know more about Asian cuisines now.
Instead of simply referring to everything as " Asian food, " they identify
dishes as Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, and
more. Many US consumers are also aware of specific regional flavors
within these countries.
" Chinese cuisine, for example, is now often explored in its regional
variations like 'Szechuan,' 'Shanghai,' 'Fujian,' and 'Hunan.' As a result,
30 - NOVEMBER 2024
the American palate has gradually begun to demand the authenticity
found in these distinct cuisines, " Myojo said.
Citing a study conducted by Pew Research, Myojo said Chinese food
is the most common Asian cuisine served in the US (39%), followed
by Japanese (28%) and Thai (11%). Myojo predicts Malaysian and
Indonesian cuisines will see more growth in the coming years.
Top flavor, ingredient trends in Asian cuisines
Myojo identified chili crisp, a blend of flaked chili peppers, garlic, and
chopped onions mixed with oil, as a trend. " Created in China in 1997, it
became popular in the US around the time of COVID, with well-known
brands like Fly By Jing and Momofuku leading the way, " Myojo said.
Gocujong, a Korean seasoning made by fermenting a mixture of chili
powder and glutinous rice, is also big this year. " It's become popular
in the US for use in salad dressings, as a secret ingredient in stews, for
marinating meats, and even as a dip for snacks, " Myojo said. " Some even
regard gochujang as the 'next sriracha' because of its ability to elevate
the flavor of any dish it accompanies. "
Conagra Foodservice said ingredients from Southeast Asian
countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore
have been gaining popularity in the last four years. Citing data from
Technomic and Datassential, Conagra reported growth for ube, pandan,
supermarketperimeter.com
type of food, there is
at least one plantbased
option.
3
Yuzu is a prominent
ingredient.
Hayley Hyer / Sosland Publishing Co.
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - November 2024

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