Authentic Asian culinary traditions have the ability to transcend borders and are finding new life as the inspiration for multicultural fusion fare. Bold mashups across the foodservice and retail industries alike are bringing exciting flavor twists to the dishes and products consumers love.
Asian culinary influence is inherent to many styles of cuisine, whether found on a completely different continent (such as Peruvian Nikkei) or the blend of cultural styles in Filipino and Nepalese cooking. But the latest generation of Asian fusion is a bit more whimsical, taking inspiration from social media. Mashups like steamed dumplings filled with foie gras, truffle and shallots in France or prime rib served with nori butter potato purée and wasabi pickles in Canada bring excitement and big flavor to the table.
Even within Asia, multicultural fusion fare is on the rise. The Japanese locations of a global burger chain released a salted lychee milkshake as part of a seasonal menu focused on Southeast Asian sweets. And a Korean convenience store chain collaborated with a well-known Malaysian food brand to create fusion street food such as samgak gimbap stuffed with beef rendang curry. Creative mashups like these breathe new life into culinary traditions around the world.
Discover Chef Gideon’s story
This culinary theme can be seen in dishes like Kimchi Bolognese with Tteokbokki, featuring Griffith Foods Gochujang Sauce. This Korean and Italian mashup was created by Chef Gideon Yim, our featured culinarian, whose story has been shaped by a lifetime of Asian Fusion Fare in the kitchen. Watch our video to see his creativity at work.
Finding inspiration in fusion fare
Whether it’s a craveable snack, a unique protein marinade or an unexpected menu offering, fusion items that blend Asian influence with the cuisines of other cultures have become an exciting area for innovation. Learn more in our interactive flipbook.
Throughout this book, you’ll find these themes brought to life through our incredible culinarians. Their stories may be personal, but the values they stand for resonate with us all. As you read, I encourage you to think about your own culinary stories and the ways in which we can nourish the world, together.
VIEW FLIPBOOK
6 platforms for fusion fare
When you start with a classic, it’s easy to incorporate Asian flavors into your menu items or product lineups. Here are some ideas covering a range of cuisines—such as Korean, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese—for mashups that will “wow” your customers.
1. Tacos/Burritos
• Pork tacos with hoisin sauce and cilantro-lime crema
• Pho-rito burritos with seasoned beef, bean sprouts and rice noodles
Scallion Pancake Street Tacos with Beef Pho Gravy
2. Pizza/Flatbreads
• Miso-glazed mushroom flatbread
• Thai peanut chicken pizza with cilantro and chili flakes
Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Flatbread
3. Pasta/Noodles
• Ramen carbonara with miso and pork belly
• Soba noodles with pesto and toasted nori
Beef Birria Ramen
VIEW RECIPE
4. Burgers/Sliders
• Korean galbi (short rib) burger with kimchi slaw
• Teriyaki-glazed burger with wasabi mayo
Korean Sweet & Spicy Pork Bao
5. Chicken/Wings
• Tempura-battered wings with Thai chili sauce
• Honey-ginger fried chicken sandwich
Sweet & Spicy
Korean Fried Chicken
6. Appetizers
• Tonkotsu ramen flavored brown gravy, tofu and kimchi over french fries
• Crispy roasted cauliflower tossed in a bold Korean-inspired glaze
Tonkotsu Poutine
Al PaSTor Ssam
A Mexican-inspired twist on Korean lettuce wraps, blending the flavors of both cultures into one dish. Bibb lettuce leaves topped with ssamjang paste, fluffy white rice, al-pastor marinated pork shoulder, diced grilled pineapple and thinly sliced scallions.
Featuring Griffith Foods Al Pastor Marinade
KEY INSIGHTS
Asian fusion cuisine has worldwide appeal, especially when you start with food that’s familiar and beloved in your market. Whether it’s a craveable snack, unique protein marinade or unexpected pizza topping, the Custom Culinary team is full of ideas and market insights to help you enliven your offerings.
41% of global consumers seek out both “unusual” and new or on-trend flavors when dining out in quick service outlets.1
60% of global consumers enjoy trying new flavors from time to time, with another 11% actively seeking out new flavor experiences on a regular basis.2
69% of global consumers say that curiosity drives them to try new flavors of foods.3