Gastronomy is constantly evolving: it brings with it new discoveries, dishes, ideas, and culinary techniques that change and are reinvented. Just as in fashion, trends also change at the table, and, needless to say, social media has had a significant impact. Paradoxically, since Instagram launched its "stories" exactly a decade ago (August 2016), society has undergone radical changes in many areas, and eating is one of them. Where once it was just about showing off the bag or shoes of the moment, today it's also the dish that dictates style.
If we were to think about how many foods and trends have swept through the years, we'd probably get caught in a huge gastronomic loop. Avocado toast, poke bowls, healthy foods, smash burgers, and so on: these dishes have become the new "accessories" of taste. But beneath the surface of reels, stories, and therefore perfectly plated and highly "Instagrammable" dishes, true gastronomic revolutions are hidden. These have changed the way we eat, especially in Western countries.
1. Sushi and All You Can Eat
Japanese cuisine, and sushi more generally, is a fame that deserves to be discussed first. We're talking about a phenomenon that has conquered not only the U.S., but all of the West, for over a decade. With the advent of the all-you-can-eat formula, its success has become resounding, although the quality of the offerings has significantly declined. Here, you essentially sit at a table and, using a tablet, order whatever you want, paying a fixed price that's already known. In our country, the real "explosion" for this dish came in the early 2000s, when, precisely with the possibility of trying a wide variety of sushi without paying too high a price, there was a "push" towards this type of offering. Since then, its success has never stopped growing: today, sushi is considered a common dish, suitable for any occasion, and is no longer considered an exotic or niche experience. Furthermore, in the last 5-7 years, we have witnessed a second wave of trends, with the spread of more authentic formats (omakase, izakaya, minimalist sushi bars) and the meeting between Japanese cuisine and Western flavors, to underline a stable presence in our gastronomic culture.
2. Poke Bowls, Veggie Burgers and Avocado Mania
In recent years, the idea of "eating healthy" has become a veritable fashion trend. One of the cornerstones of this trend is undoubtedly the poke bowl. A large, colorful bowl that allows everyone to customize each ingredient to their own tastes. Perhaps not everyone knows that it originated in Hawaii, where it's actually a very different dish than what we're used to today. There, it's prepared simply with fresh, diced local fish, oil, salt, seaweed, and kukui nuts. When it arrived in the United States and then Europe, it was adapted to local tastes: with rice, avocado, vegetables, and international seasonings, becoming a symbol of the "healthy" food trend.
Alongside it, the famous veggie burgers and plant-based dishes have won over even the most skeptical. Cuisine has thus become increasingly "green," a choice that is now a daily occurrence and no longer an alternative. Completing the picture is the king: the avocado. The undisputed star, creamy, photogenic, and versatile, it has moved from brunch to everyday dining, perfectly embodying the philosophy of "healthy" and contemporary food.
3. Artisanal Bread, Pizza and Leavened Products
When the entire world was hit by the Covid-19 epidemic, people at home had the opportunity to "rediscover" a dormant passion. Between news reports and decrees, with the television constantly on the news, many improvised as "master" bakers or pizza chefs. Pizza is experiencing a sort of "second youth" with completely revolutionary techniques. Whole wheat flours, long-rising doughs, more hydration, direct doughs, pre-mixed doughs, and toppings that enhance the place where they are prepared. We are therefore witnessing a return to craftsmanship, simplicity, and things "done well."
4. Fermented Foods
Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha are just some of the fermented foods that have begun to become part of everyday life in the U.S.. These foods rightfully fall into the "healthy category" because they are rich in benefits for the body. They contain numerous probiotics, loved for their digestive effects and their lively, pungent flavor. Not only for physical well-being, but also for nutritional awareness, which is pushing consumers to choose foods that nourish the body from within. Fermentation, therefore, is no longer just an ancient tradition, but a forward-looking trend, combining health and flavor.
5. Matcha
Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that, in recent years, has crossed the borders of Asia to become a global phenomenon in the West. Its popularity has exploded thanks to the growing attention to its health benefits, and with its antioxidant and stimulating properties, it couldn't be any less. Today, we find it practically everywhere: having become a versatile ingredient, it is no longer used only in teas. It is used in innovative drinks like matcha lattes, in desserts, in smoothies, and even in cocktails. This trend has conquered cafes and restaurants around the world, making matcha a must-have for those seeking a healthy alternative to coffee.
6. Red Velvet, Cupcakes and Cheesecake
For over a decade now, American desserts have been a hit with Italian palates. Despite other countries' pastry-making tradition, desserts from our own U.S. have brought a colorful and sugary kick. Red velvet cake is one of the pioneers of this trend. With its unmistakable deep red color and delicate flavor, it has become a true symbol of elegance and celebration: today, it's one of the most popular desserts for Valentine's Day.
Let's move on to cupcakes: small, social media-friendly, and decorated with colorful frosting. Many "themed" pastry shops have opened in recent years. Finally, there's cheesecake, the queen of all American desserts. With its crunchy crust and soft cream cheese filling, it continues to be a popular choice for those seeking a rich and indulgent dessert.
7. Smash Burger
How could we not mention the sensational smash burger that has quickly conquered all of Europe? Essentially, it's a type of burger that clearly originated in the United States. What sets it apart from others is its "bizarre" cooking technique, which involves "smashing" the meat on the grill. This creates a crispy crust on the outside while the inside remains juicy and tender: a method that has conquered our cities thanks to its simplicity and intense flavor.
Today, smash burgers come in a thousand variations and with a huge array of creative sauces. Their visual appeal, perfect for social media, and their unique flavor make this dish a true gastronomic phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down.
8. Carbonara and Pistachio Pesto
In recent years, Italy has also seen the emergence of its own unique gastronomic trends, capable of becoming social media phenomena just like poke or smash burgers. Among these, two dishes have dominated feeds and menus: carbonara and pistachio pesto. Carbonara, historically linked to Roman tradition, has exploded online through decidedly "creative" reinterpretations, gourmet revisitations, and viral videos bordering on exaggeration. On the other hand, pistachio pesto —born as a Sicilian delicacy—has become a symbol of the new contemporary Italian cuisine: creamy, photogenic, appetizing, and easily paired with "popular" ingredients like burrata, speck, or shrimp. This too is a product that has become, at home and abroad, almost an obsession—both in its savory version and in its sweet cream form—and has given rise to cheap imitations that are decidedly far from the original.
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