The Food Institute: What is the Fastest Growing Asian Cuisine?

June 9, 2023

Asian fusion cuisine

Running Point and its chief investment officer, Michael Ashley Schulman, CFA, were quoted by The Food Institute in an article — by Kelly Beaton, “Analysis: Asian Food Winning Over America” — regarding fast growing Asian cuisines and American-Asian food innovations.

Seek innovation

🥢Because many Americans continually seek new culinary experiences, the evolution of food in the U.S. remains constant. Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Korean cuisines have gained popularity, but traditional gastronomy has gone beyond borders and found its place on American dining tables in the form of Asian fusion cuisine.

👻Additionally, the rise of innovative ghost kitchens (where restaurants blend together) may be helping people to embrace Asian fusion cuisine and appreciate its vibrant culinary tapestry.

Gastronomy and heritage

🌏Throughout Asia, traditional gastronomy preserves the rich heritage and unique techniques of different cultures. These traditional flavors, once confined to their countries of origin, have transcended borders and made their way into American homes and restaurants as people continuously explore new tastes. This culinary exchange has sparked a vibrant fusion of flavors as traditional dishes are adapted and integrated with local ingredients and cooking styles.

Fostering adventures in food

🍽While Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, and Korean cuisines all experience growth in popularity, it is Asian fusion restaurants that have become must-visit destinations in almost every city. These establishments expertly blend the flavors of traditional Asian cuisine with other gastronomic styles, resulting in the creation of innovative dishes that cater to both traditional and adventurous eaters.

🍲Each Asian fusion restaurant offers a unique and exciting dining experience, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of traditional Asian flavors and techniques and reflecting the interconnectedness of global food culture.

Quoted article excerpts are below:

“Traditional gastronomy has gone beyond borders and found its place in America in the form of Asian fusion cuisine,” said Michael Ashely Schulman, partner and chief investment officer with Running Point Capital Advisors.

“We’ve come a long way from 1991 when, in an episode of The Simpsons titled ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish,’ Lisa pleads with Homer to try a new sushi restaurant,” Schulman told The Food Institute.

“Asian fusion restaurants have become must-visit destinations in almost every city,” Schulman said. “As more people embrace a plant-forward lifestyle, Asian cuisine – with its frequent emphasis on vegetables and noodles – may find increased favor. Also, Asian food lends itself well to the rise of the ‘bowl culture,’ i.e. eating mixed food from a bowl.”

Asian Fusion Cuisine
Asian Fusion Cuisine — Graphic design and photography by Yrtist.com

Fusion food as a concept is kind of trying to quite consciously fuse things that are sometimes quite contradictory, sometimes quite far apart, to see if they’d work.

Yotam Ottolenghi, chef and author based in the U.K.

Disclosure: The opinions expressed are those of Running Point Capital Advisors, LLC (Running Point) and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication, may be modified due to changes in the market or economic conditions, and may not necessarily come to pass. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. Running Point is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about Running Point’s investment advisory services and fees can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request. RP-23-89