What will be hot in the culinary space in 2025?

Published 10:30 am Wednesday, December 11, 2024

The National Restaurant Association released a culinary forecast for 2025 predicting trends of where and what customers will choose to eat. It expects the prioritization of sustainability through locally sourced food, value deals and greater influence by Asian cuisines, according to responses gathered in October from culinary professionals. Popular dishes are expected to be influenced by the cuisines of Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Elements of these predictions are evident in recent developments in Central Oregon’s food scene, where Korean and Vietnamese dishes can be found at non-Asian restaurants.

The Korean rice bowl, bibimbap, is on the menu at 10 Barrel Brewing Co. on Bend’s east side. A Vietnamese bahn mi sandwich is served at R Spot, an Italian eatery in Sisters that focuses heavily on pasta dishes. Earlier this year, Pho Viet & Cafe expanded its footprint to Bend’s west side, serving its Vietnamese fare at a second location at The Grove Market Hall in Northwest Crossing, where it leans heavily into its boba offerings. The Dogwood Cocktail Cabin, which is preparing for its grand opening in the Pine Shed in Bend’s Central District on Second Street, has announced one of its food trucks will be the Dinky Dau, known for its bahn mi sandwiches, rice bowls and fermented foods.

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The survey linked growing preferences for Asian dishes to the potential health benefits of consuming food prepared with peppers, pickling and fermentation.

Mushroom-based dishes are expected to grow in popularity next year. In October, mushrooms took center stage in Central Oregon fine dining spaces with multi-course dinners held at Brasada Ranch’s Wild Rye and Sunriver Resort.

Expected beverage trends

Beverages trending in 2025 are anticipated to be cold brew, wellness drinks (with vitamins or supplements), boba, fermented beverages and energy drinks, according to the survey.

Low-alcohol or no-alcohol options for cocktails, beer and wine are forecasted to become more common on menus. Other natural ingredients may step in to provide similar euphoric effects as alcohol.

The non-alcoholic beverage space grew significantly in Bend in 2024 with the grand opening of The Dez Lounge, a non-alcoholic cocktail lounge in the Palate coffee bar. It offers a bevy of zero-proof drinks, leaning into medicinal elixirs and libations with herbal tinctures.

Additional trends that may gain steam in Central Oregon’s culinary scene in the coming year are hot honey, pop-up restaurants, streamlined menus and the integration of artificial intelligence.

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