Trending Global Flavors:

Kaffir Lime: A member of the citrus family, Kaffir has a strong fragrant flavor and is popular in Thai cuisine.

Sambal: Similar to Sriracha or a spicy relish but the highly versatile Indonesian version.

Banana Ketchup: In the Philippines, uncommon tomatoes are replaced with easily accessible bananas in this sweet tangy sauce.

Pandan: A common ingredient throughout Southeast Asia, it adds a nutty, botanical flavor to foods.

Chamoy: A Mexican condiment that encapsulates different flavors of sweet, salty, savory and spicy.

Ethnic Foods Trending on U.S. Menus²:

A Sampling of Global Ethnic Comfort Foods:

Latin America

Cochinita Pibil:

A slow-roasted pork dish marinated in acidic citrus with annatto seed, wrapped in a banana leaf; from the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico

Anticucho:

Popular and inexpensive meat-on-a-stick meals that originated in the Peruvian Andes.

East Asia

Katsu:

A Japanese-style BBQ sauce featured on fried meats that has a tart, slightly salty and sweet taste.

Char Siu:

Cantonese Char Siu is the Chinese equivalent of BBQ and can be made with pork loin, belly, etc., and marinated in honey, five-spice, dark soy sauce or hoisin sauce.

Southeast Asia

Pho:

A Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat. A popular street food in Vietnam.

Fillipino Adobo Pork Belly:

Belly immersed in a stock composed variously of paprika, oregano, salt, garlic and vinegar to preserve and enhance its flavor.

1 Technomic
2 Datassential