Six Asian Food Trends For 2018

It’s no secret that the Japanese diet is a healthy one, increasing longevity and reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes. Plenty of grains and vegetables, moderate amounts of meat and soy but very little dairy and fruit. Many of the food trends pegged as ones to watch in 2018 reflect an overall healthier approach to eating and draw on Asian influences. Japanese food company Yutaka has picked out six:

Fermented Foods
A focus on gut health continues with the likes of kimchi, miso and other fermented products as well as pickled foods continuing to be all the rage.

Vegan
With more people realising the benefits of a plant-based diet, veganism is becoming a lot more mainstream with many cuisines returning to their plant-based roots. Increasing numbers of recipes feature tofu and you'll also find edamame and soy as an alternative to pasta.

Speciality Teas
Our obsession with coffee shops is being eclipsed by tea as the new drink of choice. Green tea in its many varieties continues to be a popular starting point for flavour additions.

Poke Bowls
Although these originated in Hawaii, poke is basically sushi in a bowl. They look set to go from strength-to-strength this year and feature a balanced meal of raw fish, all sorts of veggies accompanied by rice or noodles.

Filipino Food
The interest in Korean food will continue but people will turn to the Philippines for the next international food craze. Their diet features lots of rice, soy, noodles and ginger.

Hybrid Food
Sushi burritos and waffogato (ice cream waffle soaked in espresso) were big in 2017 and there's no let-up in this trend for bringing different food ideas together. How about the Great British Breakfast Sushi?

Visit the Yutaka website for products and recipes