Deliveroo Hong Kong forecasts the top 5 dining trends for 2021

2020 was a massive year for Hong Kong's delivery services, as restrictions on restaurants and bars sent hungry locals looking to their smartphones to find their next meal. As the pandemic remains a presence in our lives, 2021 should see little difference, as consumers have grown accustomed to getting what they need via mobile.

With their fingers on the pulse of what Hongkongers wanted in 2020 (and the data to prove it), mobile delivery provider Deliveroo conducted a new survey to determine the dining trends that will matter to locals in the year ahead. Based on the results, they have unveiled these as the top five trends for 2021.

• Healthy alternatives
  • 50% of Hongkongers plan to opt for oat and nut-based dairy alternatives
  • 48% would like more plant-based meat alternatives
  • 30% have purchased more non-alcoholic drinks
• Embracing food crazes
  • Homemade pasta, Dalgona coffee, and sourdough bread viral "trends" were huge for Hongkongers
  • 48% of Hongkongers want to see fermented foods like kimchi trending into 2021
  • 25% want to see more foods infused with CBD
• Travelling with our taste buds
  • 45% of Hongkongers explored new Japanese restaurants this year
  • 36% sought out new Korean cuisine
  • 22% opted to try new plates from Thai restaurants
• Earlier breakfast, later lunches and dinners
  • 27% of Hongkongers say they're eating breakfast earlier now than they used to (36% before 8am)
  • 27% are eating lunch later
  • 25% are eating dinner later
• Desks become the new dining table
  • 31% of Hongkongers report eating takeaway and delivery at their desks
  • 29% eat their homemade meals at their desks as well
  • 4% report eating their meals in bed

The survey also found that 29% of Hongkongers order delivery simply because they cannot make their favourite dishes at home, while 24% simply do it to avoid washing dishes.

And finally, when it comes to finding inspiration for their next meal, 50% of millennials and Gen X credit Facebook. As for Gen Z, 39% say it's all about Instagram.

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