Over the summer, I had the opportunity to try some Asian-inspired cuisine deep in the heart of North Texas — an unexpected epicenter of amazing food, home to many Asian-American residents in recent years. Even more unexpected — the genuine, crave-inducing zip of lip-popping spice that greeted me from the small cup of noodles clutched in my hand.
Frankly, I shouldn’t have been surprised in the least: According to Technomic¹, close to two-thirds of all restaurants in the country feature some type of Asian-based flavor on menus, and they do it extremely well.
In fact, 3 of the top 10 fastest-growing ingredients on menus are Asian-inspired, per the same report: gochujang, matcha, and honey Sriracha. It’s clear that younger, bolder, flavor-obsessed generations are leading this charge, and they’re hoping to find the international zest they’ve seen on social in all kinds of unique dishes and across menus.
How about this — topping loaded fries with Japanese-influenced ingredients has grown an eye-catching 175% in recent years, as tracked by Nation’s Restaurant News². Over the same timeframe, combining Asian-based elements with veggie bowls increased by nearly 120%.
Fusion for Any Concept
A continent of complementary flavors means there’s almost certainly a vibe that goes with any menu item you already serve. Think Asian-inspired isn’t a fit for bar & grill? Diners might disagree.
After all, what’s the secret to menu variety? “Cross-utilize a handful of items with existing menu offerings,” said Christine Allhoff, chef and National Sales Manager for Convenience at Performance Foodservice®. “You can turn one prepared sauce into a dip, garnish, or a marinade. For example, Asian Pride® Sweet & Sour Porkchops or Sweet & Sour Glazed Crispy Wings.”
Consider chopping and pan searing a little fermented kimchi to bring a touch of spicy-sour to your Ultimelt® queso base for the ultimate fusion dip. Or simply dollop gochujang on smashed burger patties, sending a head-turning aroma throughout the bar. Add a few pickled veggies on top to boost the swicy umami levels that emanate from this burger LTO.
And if prep and portion control is a concern, Asian Pride has tasty solutions. Designed by a world-class Taiwanese chef, Asian Pride Meal Kits arrive with convenience top-of-mind. Available in six different bagged varieties, these multi-serving kits are heat-and-plate ready — no measuring, no guesswork, just the same quality and yield every time. The Thai Chili Chicken over lo mein knocked my socks off, with an Asian Pride Sweet Chili Sauce kicker I couldn’t wait to taste again. Plus, they’re a great fit for kids menus!
Soul Searching
One of the more interesting trends gathering steam in the market is a blend of soul food with Asian flavors. It makes sense: rich, bold, comfort bases partner so well with Asian-influenced spice. Consider Smoked Oxtail Fried Rice, where the fall-off-the-bone meat is tossed with jasmine rice, soy sauce, scrambled eggs, and garlic. Fragrant and fluffy Asian Pride Thai Hom Mali Jasmine Rice is grown and harvested in northeastern Thailand, providing diners with a little extra perceived value that makes the meal even more worthwhile.
Or how about a Soul Roll special? Fold braised collard greens and Ridgecrest® Smoked Turkey in an Asian Pride Egg Roll Wrapper, then deep fry until golden crispy and serve with a hot honey chili crisp dipping sauce. Let’s go ahead and place an order for the table!
Kit & Caboom!
“Modern Asian fusion is so fun,” Allhoff explained. “Think naan-chos or General Tso’s Pizza.” But the chef also emphasized how the “meal kits make it effortless to deliver more variety with less work.”
The convenient pack sizes for the Asian Pride Meal Kits help reduce stress on the range of skill level working back-of-house. And they help to eliminate the waste that results from scratch cooking. From Mongolian Beef with Vegetables to Orange Chicken with Sauce, these meals are formulated to deliver extended hold times, reducing the “shrink” risk.
In addition to the kits, consider how shelf-stable, half-gallon jugs of Asian Pride Sauces — like hoisin or teriyaki — can bring even more craveable, versatile flavor to any daypart, and the menu possibilities start to truly resonate — just like the vibrant, spicy fried rice I had the pleasure of gobbling up, north of Dallas.
¹Technomic: Why Asian Foods Dominate U.S. Menus