The culinary landscape in 2024 is set to be an enticing odyssey, offering a plethora of new and exciting food and drink trends to be explored. From rich, flavourful soups and stews to mouth-watering global chicken wings and tantalising international barbecue, the upcoming year is poised to deliver an explosion of tastes and culinary adventures. With social media captivating the attention of food aficionados, restaurants and food businesses in Asheville are already taking the lead in showcasing their delectable offerings to entice and delight audiences.
A major trend anticipated for 2024 is the emergence of “world stage soups and stews,” featuring dishes such as birria, chicken tom kha, laksa, salmorejo, and upscale ramen. Local hotspots like Heiwa Shokudo, Siam Thai, Thai Pearl, and Suwana Asian Cuisine are already tantalising diners with these international delights, inviting them on a global culinary escapade without leaving Asheville.
For those who relish the delightful crunch of chicken wings, global flavours are taking centre stage. Local favourites like Haywood Lounge, Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack, and The Golden Pineapple are expected to see a surge in demand for chicken wings boasting flavours like Nashville Hot and gochujang butter. This trend is a treat for food enthusiasts, offering them the opportunity to savour a wide array of unique and delicious wing options.
International barbecue is also set to make a splash in 2024, with restaurants like Stonebowl Korean leading the way in Asheville. Diners can look forward to tantalising their taste buds with grilled dishes showcasing proteins such as short beef rib, chicken, pork, salmon, whole squid, and mackerel. The culinary scene continues to evolve with more diverse and innovative offerings, creating a delightful fusion of flavours from around the world.
Cheese lovers will be delighted to uncover the burgeoning trend of grilled and cooked cheeses. From provoleta to queso fundido, local establishments are taking the classic cheese on toast to new heights. Dining experiences like raclette dinner parties and cheese pop-ups are set to become more commonplace, offering cheese connoisseurs the opportunity to indulge in mouth-watering creations.
Furthermore, the use of premium ingredients such as wagyu beef, root vegetables, and birria is expected to soar in 2024. For diners in Asheville, local restaurants, tailgate markets, and area farms are already offering dishes featuring these popular ingredients, ensuring that food enthusiasts have access to fresh and innovative culinary experiences right in their own backyard.
As for beverages, nitro cold brew is poised to claim the top spot as the leading drink of 2024, followed by energy drinks, functional waters, zero-proof spirits, and botanical cocktails. Local coffee shops and non-alcoholic bars in Asheville are already embracing these trends, serving a wide array of invigorating and intriguing drink options.
With these captivating food trends on the horizon, there’s no doubt that 2024 is going to be an exhilarating year for food enthusiasts in Asheville. As the culinary scene continues to evolve and innovate, the opportunities for indulging in delicious and diverse dishes will only continue to grow, promising a flavourful ride for all.
