Six months into a global pandemic and safe-at-home quarantine orders, most Americans have dropped travel plans and dramatically reduced away-from-home dining. However, their culinary wanderlust is stronger than ever, judging by regional and global flavors that are still taking off on restaurant menus.
In July, Datassential’s update of its MenuTrends database found that tastes of Asia, Central America, the Middle East, and other far-flung locales were represented among the strongest culinary trends. Regional favorites—including and especially Nashville Hot chicken dishes or Hawaiian poke—also are having their moment.