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US Regional and International Cuisines Market Report 2025

US Regional and International Cuisines Market Report 2025

US Regional and International Cuisines Market Analysis

The consumers in the US regional and international cuisines market show strong interest in regional and international cuisines, with more than 70% believing the country has a diverse culinary history, driven by younger generations’ curiosity for global flavors, though cost, complexity, and health perceptions create barriers to regular consumption. Over the next few years, global cuisines are expected to become more mainstream, with convenience and simplicity proving more critical than authenticity for home cooking, while tariffs on imported ingredients pose potential future pricing pressures, with costs not yet significantly impacting end consumers as brands currently absorb increases.

US Regional and International Cuisines Market Trends

US consumers, especially Gen Z and Millennials,demonstrate strong curiosity about global flavors, with restaurants, social media, and friend/family recommendations serving as top discovery sources in Regional cuisines market and International cuisines market.

While interest exists, it doesn’t always translate into action, barriers like cost, complexity, and health perceptions limit deeper engagement, with global cuisines often treated as outside of highly engaged foodies.

Simplicity and convenience are essential, as consumers prefer easy-to-prepare recipes with familiar ingredients.

71% of consumers are open to trying new cuisines if they match their diet or lifestyle. This openness presents opportunities for brands to develop products that balance global flavors with wellness positioning.

About The Report

US Regional and International Cuisines Market Report 2025 provides valuable insights into the current trends and consumer behavior surrounding regional and international cuisines in the US. It explores key areas such as consumer preferences, behaviors, and attitudes toward global flavors, with a focus on the impact of social media, foodservice, and economic factors like tariffs. The research covers various aspects including regional and international cuisine consumption, sources of discovery, shopping behaviors, and consumer willingness to experiment with new dishes. Businesses in the foodservice, packaged goods, and retail sectors, particularly those focusing on innovation, marketing, and product development, will find this report essential for understanding consumer demand and identifying opportunities for growth. The Regional and International Cuisines Market Report is also beneficial for culinary experts, marketers, and strategists looking to tap into the consumer demand in the Global cuisines market.

Key Topics Analyzed in the Report

Consumption of regional American and international cuisine
Where consumers discover new cuisines
Where consumers shop for global ingredients
Dishes, flavors and ingredients that are winning attention
Consumer attitudes toward global flavors
Product innovation opportunities

Report Attributes	Details
Published Date	August 2025
Data Range	2019 – 2030
Measurement Metrics	Revenue in US $
Country Focus	United States of America (USA)
Consumer Data	2,000 internet users aged 18+, May 2025
Number of Pages	64
Market Segmentation	Bakery Items, Fresh Meat, Poultry or Seafood, Produce, Snacks and Confectionery, Spices, Dips, Sauces or Condiments, Frozen Foods, Grains, Dairy Products, Alcoholic Beverages, Non-Alcoholic Beverages.
Leading Companies	Good & Gather with Rodney Scott and Ann Kim

Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis

This report was written by Varchasvi. Varchasvi joined Mintel in 2021 as an Analyst for US Foodservice and Mintel Menu Insights. Prior to joining Mintel, she completed her MBA from the University of Notre Dame with concentrations in Marketing and Strategy.

Consumers crave global flavors, but value, simplicity and trust shape choices. Brands must balance authenticity with accessibility to drive cuisine exploration.

Varchasvi

Research Analyst

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- What you need to know
- Market predictions
- What consumers want & why
- Opportunities
- Meet younger consumers where discovery happens – online
- Trusted voices for global food trends
- Tradition and wellness can work together to serve the modern consumer
- Mintel Spark: product concepts that balance authenticity and wellness
- Familiar proteins can help consumers explore more flavors
- Mintel Spark: product and menu concepts that make global flavors more approachable
- Reintroduce regional comforts in modern formats
- Mintel Spark: product and menu concepts that combine classic American comfort foods with modern convenience
MARKET DYNAMICS
- Market context
- Despite rising optimism, risks continue to lurk
- Graph 1: opinions on financial future, 2023-25
- Market drivers
- Diverse Gen Z will drive demand for global cuisine
- Graph 2: generations, by race, 2023
- Rising import costs may threaten global cuisine authenticity
- Graph 3: Consumer Price Index for all Urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted – food AH and AFH, 2024-25
- Kitchen confidence can drive interest in new cuisines
- Graph 4: attitudes toward cooking, by cooking segments, 2024
CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Consumer fast facts
- Regional cuisine consumption
- Texas BBQ leads, but regional variety is overlooked
- Graph 5: regional cuisine consumption, 2025
- Regional cuisine exploration is niche, but more relevant among younger consumers
- Graph 6: regional cuisine consumption, by generation, 2025
- Regional food repertoire is narrow for most
- Graph 7: repertoire of regional cuisine consumption, 2025
- International cuisine consumption
- Familiar global cuisines dominate everyday consumption
- Graph 8: international cuisine consumption – net – at any location, 2025
- Restaurants are a key gateway to global flavor discovery
- Graph 9: international cuisine consumption, at home and away from home, 2025
- Global food curiosity is strongest among Gen Z, Millennials
- Graph 10: international cuisine consumption – net – at any location, by generation, 2025
- Consumers explore more global flavors than local ones
- Graph 11: repertoire of international cuisine consumption, 2025
- Sources of discovery
- Social media and in-person experiences go head-to-head
- Graph 12: sources of discovery for unfamiliar cuisines, 2025
- Younger generations will continue to build the influence of cuisine on social media
- Graph 13: sources of discovery for unfamiliar cuisines, by generation, 2025
- Promote family-style options on social media and with influencers
- Graph 14: sources of discovery for unfamiliar cuisines, by household size, 2025
- Preferred shopping locations
- The international twist gives traditional supermarkets an edge
- Graph 15: preferred shopping locations for international ingredients, 2025
- Variety and accessibility will speak to younger generations
- Graph 16: preferred shopping locations for international ingredients, by generation, 2025
- Familiarity and simplicity mute authenticity
- Experiences with select dishes, flavors and ingredients
- Cucumber salad variations will cast a wide net
- Familiarity remains an anchor for trial
- Graph 17: experiences with select dishes, flavors, and ingredients, 2025
- Even familiar ingredients don’t always expand awareness
- Graph 18: flavor/ingredient trial – “I’ve never heard of this”, by generation, 2025
- Graph 19: flavor/ingredient trial – “I’ve never heard of this”, 2025
- Viral trends don’t go unnoticed by older generations
- Graph 20: flavor/ingredient trial – “I haven’t tried this, but I would like to”, by generation, 2025
- Products to explore with
- Easily conceptualized categories are common for experimentation
- Graph 21: products most willing to explore regional/international cuisine with, 2025
- However, these favorites may be heavily impacted by tariffs
- Differences in locale illuminate experimentation attitudes
- Graph 22: products most willing to explore regional/international cuisine with, by area, 2025
- Behaviors
- Consumers want global taste, but without the complexity
- Trusted brands can make global ingredients less intimidating
- Graph 23: cuisine consumption behaviors, by generation, 2025
- Attitudes
- Health, simplicity and storytelling shape global cuisine engagement
- Graph 24: cuisine consumption attitudes, 2025
- Familiarity drives comfort, but curiosity persists
- Graph 25: cuisine consumption attitudes – net – any agree, trial and health, 2025
- International cuisine is becoming part of everyday comfort
- Graph 26: cuisine consumption attitudes – net – any agree, trial and health, by generation, 2025
- Make global cuisine simple and meaningful
- Graph 27: cuisine consumption attitudes – net – any agree, authenticity and awareness, 2025
- Younger generations value creativity and culture in international cuisine
- Graph 28: cuisine consumption attitudes – net – any agree, authenticity and awareness, by generation, 2025
INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
- Product development: now
- The love for spice is still burning strong
- Graph 29: percent of food launches with “spicy” as a descriptor, 2014-24
- Retailers partner with chefs to add credibility to flavors
- Sweet on the Middle East
- Kits bring consumers halfway to a full meal
- Product development: near
- Convenience comes in all shapes and sizes
- Brands marry global flavors and diet trends
- Tinned fish gets a new look
- Familiar favorites get a global twist
- Product development: next
- International flavor trends trickle down into breakfast
- Social media brings focus to ‘aesthetic’ food
APPENDIX
- Consumer research questions
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms

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