As the foodservice industry gears up for 2025, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) has released its eagerly awaited What’s Hot Culinary Forecast. This year’s report highlights exciting trends centered on personal and planetary well-being and a deeper exploration of Southeast Asian cuisines—both of which present incredible opportunities for onion shippers and promotional organizations to position onions as an essential ingredient for success.
The What’s Hot Culinary Forecast draws from insights provided by industry professionals who ranked 71 items across seven categories: dishes, ingredients, flavors, condiments, beverages, alcoholic beverages, and macro trends.
Leading the Charge: Sustainability and Southeast Asian Cuisine
Sustainability emerged as the number one macro trend, with industry experts noting that a restaurant’s environmental practices increasingly influence customers’ choices of where to dine. From local sourcing to reduced-waste cooking, sustainability resonates deeply with diners, especially younger generations. Onions, with their versatility and ease of incorporation into sustainable recipes, stand out as a go-to ingredient for chefs aiming to balance flavor and eco-consciousness.
Southeast Asian cuisines, particularly Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino dishes, captured the top spots under “Dishes” and secured two of the Top 10 overall rankings. Onions, a staple in many Southeast Asian recipes, are essential to creating the bold and aromatic flavors that define these cuisines. From the tangy punch of a Vietnamese dipping sauce to the hearty savoriness of a Korean stew, onions are indispensable.
Key Highlights from the 2025 Forecast
- Macro Trends: Sustainability dominates, alongside local sourcing and waste reduction.
- Dishes: Southeast Asian cuisine takes the lead, setting the tone for international flavors in 2025.
- Ingredients, Flavors, and Condiments: Southeast Asian staples—including those enhanced by onions—secured top spots across these categories.
- Customer Appeal: Diners are prioritizing businesses aligned with environmental stewardship and authentic global flavors.
Opportunities for Onion Industry Professionals
The trends outlined in the NRA’s report are an open invitation for onion shippers, growers, and promotion organizations to elevate their marketing efforts. Onions’ ability to adapt to diverse culinary styles and their role as a key flavor-building ingredient make them a perfect fit for the 2025 trends. By emphasizing onions’ compatibility with sustainability initiatives and international cuisines, industry stakeholders can target restaurant operators and foodservice buyers effectively.
For a deeper dive into these trends and how they’re shaping menus, operations, and marketing strategies in 2025, View the full What’s Hot Culinary Forecast below, and download a PDF copy HERE.
Stay ahead of the curve and position onions at the heart of the culinary innovations taking the foodservice world by storm in 2025!
