Could unfamiliar dishes be the secret to restaurant success?

The youngest generations of adults - generation Z and millennials - are much more likely than their older counterparts to experiment with new foods, according to Datassential’s Pulse 2018: Market Overview.

It was revealed in the research that 85 per cent of gen Z consumers like to try new foods.

For restaurants, then, one of the secrets to bringing in new clientele and building up a strong base of loyal customers could be offering unfamiliar, exciting flavours from all over the world.

Using its MenuTrends tool, which tracks thousands of menus across North America, Datassential revealed some of the fastest-growing global dishes in Canadian restaurants today.

Among the increasingly popular international dishes is escabeche, which is thought to have originated in Spain but is regularly eaten in countries such as the Philippines and Puerto Rico. It refers to a number of dishes with fish or meat that has been marinated in a mixture made from vinegar or citrus juice, Restobiz reports.

Another trendy option is poke (pronounced po-kay), a Hawaiian raw fish salad generally seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil.

Restaurants that want to capture the attention of young consumers could also consider incorporating beef satay, fish cakes and massaman curry into their menus. 
 
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