We ordered a lot of food in 2019 (we are looking at you Taco Tuesday and Fatayer Thursday) and we are sure that bazaar is far from unique in our eating habits. And now we have the data from Deliveroo that can shed some insight on what everyone else has been ordering all year and what the trends might look like in 2020.
We consider ourselves lucky to be living in Kuwait, as it is a cultural epicenter of food concepts. The top ten most-ordered dishes from Deliveroo in Kuwait were quite varied and interesting. Starting from the bottom, number 10 was Classic Katsu Curry from Holy Katsu, a two-topping pizza from Blaze was number 9. The next two spots were the Original Chicken from Rock House Sliders and the Raising Cane’s’ Box combo. We obviously have a lot of Greek fans because sixth on the list was the Beef Gryo from Gyros. Burgers were also a fan-favorite, with the Shack Burger and Five Guys’ Cheeseburger coming in next. Finally, our collective sweet tooth showed up at fourth place with the Rewild Cookie Dough Vanilla Ice Cream from local concept Oh G!.
The second most ordered dish is one of our favorite soul-comforting dishes; Chicken Katsu from Meme’s Curry. The combination of white rice, fried chicken and spicy curry sauce warms our existence and transforms us from hangry gremlins to happy campers.
The winner however was yet another burger, the Old School from Griddle was the most ordered item on Deliveroo this year. The list shows that we love burgers, chicken, pizza and Japanese and then we like to end it with ice cream.
However, there have been strong and visible changes in ordering habits that indicate that 2020 might end up with a completely different top ten. The food experts and data scientists at Deliveroo have been using trends, insights and data to predict what’s going to take off in the restaurant world in 2020. The global delivery giant not only has access to information from the Kuwait market but they can also work their magic on worldwide numbers for a clearer understanding of where we are all headed.
It seems that we are all trying to Go Green in more ways than one. Deliveroo data shows that a large group of customers are more frequently opting-in for a part-time vegan diet, with around half of their food consumption being meat and the other half, plant-based.
It might help that salads are getting bigger and better. Data at Deliveroo suggests that customers are becoming more serious about salads. With the greatest respect shared for the cobbs, greens and sides that grace our daily menus, 2020 is expected to popularize a new wave of creative salads that are more than leaves.
UK based chef, Jess Tathem, predicts that there will be new ingredients making their way into our bowls, making them healthier, more interesting and tastier. Ferments – such as lacto fermented sauces and miso will be added for a depth of flavor. While unusual grains such as teff and freekeh might be replacing the now-ubiquitous quinoa. Move over almond and hazelnut butter because unusual nut butters in dressings and dips, like sunflower seed will be replacing you. You might also be consuming more seaweed and not just in your sushi, underused produce like swede – which tastes amazing shaved raw, and sea weeds such as dulse are going to be the next big thing. Finally, dehydrated vegetables will be a great addition to any salad because they add texture to the mix.
Some of us might also be trying to go back in time to one of the oldest and most primitive methods of cooking. The ‘char’ flavor has been trending for the past few months, with its smokiness and woody depth heightening the natural taste of the ingredients it coats.
Perhaps not so ironically, Street Food is going to be a strong contender in 2020. Classics that have always been quick and easy to grab and eat while out and about are arriving more often at our doorsteps. The most popular street food cuisines are Indian, Thai and Greek. In November 2018, Saturday was the day of street food when it came to food delivery, but now Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes are also peaking.
Most of us have a sweet spot for mom’s spaghetti and meatballs, but consumers are now demanding restaurant-cooked pasta, both dining in and through food delivery. Searches for fresh pasta on Deliveroo have increased by 68% in the past three months, and the company sees that number steadily rising throughout 2020.
Finally, theatrical elements have been steadily on the rise over the past few years, in an attempt to add that memorable WOW factor to every bite. From unusual ingredients to digital experiences, consumers can expect to see some more theater with their delivered dishes in 2020. It makes total sense, no one can resist an Instagram-worthy dish.
Follow Deliveroo on Instagram @deliveroo_kw or visit deliveroo.com.kw, where you can order your next meal. Download the app, on the App Store or Google Play for quick and easy delivery from all of your favorite restaurants.
