As time marches on, quirky food trends never lose their charm.
There’s a joy in looking back at these odd culinary moments.
While we all harbour our favourite, perhaps secret, go-to recipes, there’s a breed of individuals who relish putting their culinary quirks on display.
Today we’re diving into this world where some trends impress, some challenges, and others just leave you scratching your head.
Join us as we explore the 8 most unconventional viral food trends that stole the spotlight in 2023.
1. Pasta Chips: Crispy Pasta Delight
Explore one of the quirkiest food trends of pasta chips by boiling pasta until al-dente, drying it, and tossing it with olive oil, cheese, and your favourite herbs. Bake to crispy perfection and pair with Greek yoghurt dip, feta dip, parmesan dip, or another favourite. The question arises: why opt for baked pasta chips over their traditional counterparts? Some argue that baked pasta oddly resembles uncooked pasta, making the trend both peculiar and amusing.
2. Chocolate Biryani: A Baffling Concoction
Embark on a perplexing culinary adventure with a combination that might baffle you—chocolate biryani. A daring YouTuber in Mumbai’s Warehouse Kitchen explores this unusual pair, leaving chocolate and biryani lovers contemplating whether to give it the benefit of the doubt or dismiss it as a potentially nightmarish combination.
3. Frozen Yogurt Bars: Homemade Cool Treats
Delight in the summer craze of food trends like homemade frozen yoghurt bars, inspired by “Kayla’s Kitch and Fix.” These bars, blending yoghurt, peanut butter, chocolate chips, protein powder, and a magic chocolate shell, gained immense popularity. These “protein-ified” frozen delights captivated the taste buds of millions and inspired a wave of homemade creations.
4. Fanta Maggi and Fanta Omelette
Witness the fusion phenomenon as Fanta meets Maggi and Omelette in Ghaziabad. This double dhamaka includes not only the popular thirst quencher Fanta but also dry spices like amchur and turmeric powder, all prepared in ghee. The innovative recipe leaves us still trying to comprehend the process behind this extraordinary culinary mashup.
5. Mango Pani Puri Shots: Sweet and Crunchy Fusion
Indulge in the fusion of forever favourite food trends with mango replacing tamarind water in pani puri shots. The thick mango paste offers a sweet twist, paired with ghugni instead of mashed potato in the phuchkas. The result is a delightful blend of sweet and sour, cool and crunchy—a taste experience that can be either a delight or a challenge for your taste buds.
6. Serving Dishes on Dining Tables
The unconventional trend of table dump dinners, where entire meals are placed directly on dining tables without using plates is quite disturbing. Despite its popularity on social media, this #messydinner trend has garnered negative opinions for being unappetizing, silly, and cringe-worthy.
7. Cheese and Pickle Wraps
Begin your culinary journey with cheese and pickle wraps, where your favourite grated cheese meets a sizzling pan. Fry it to a semi-crispy perfection, with a gooey top. Roll it up with your preferred pickle, let it cool, and relish the unique combination. Enthusiasts praise the snack’s salty and savoury flavour, while some liken it to cravings akin to those experienced during pregnancy.
8. Oreo Pakoda: Sweet and Salty Whimsy
As the season transitions to bhajiya and chai time, Ahmedabad takes the humble pakoda on a whimsical journey with the addition of Oreo cookies. This unique combination of sweet and salty creates a memorable culinary encounter with chai that you won’t soon forget.
Conclusion
In a world of ever-evolving culinary activity, these peculiar food trends of 2023 take us on a rollercoaster of flavours and unexpected combinations. While some leave us delighted with sweet and savoury fusions, others baffle our taste buds. But the takeaway is clear — food trends may come and go, but the adventure of exploring new flavours and unconventional pairings remains a timeless pursuit for the daring foodie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the latest food trends in 2023?
2023 is a year of alternatives, including almond milk, vegetarian fried chicken, potato milk, fusion flavours and plant-based meat to name a few.
What is the next big food trend?
“Swicy”—sweet and spicy is trending, and it’s only expected to become even more of a fad.
Which country is no. 1 in food?
Italy won by a landslide, for the country people voted to have the best cuisine in the world. Italian food has captured the globe with its simple, seasonal cuisine.