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6 Food Trends in Metro Manila This 2017 and Where You Can Get Them
Look back on the trends in Filipino foods you may have missed this year!
By: Patricia Marie Prado | December 22, 2017
As another year comes to a close, we are excited to look back on the biggest trends and fads that happened in our country. While most of the distinguished trends we frequently hear about are regarding fashion or showbiz, the food industry also enjoyed great updates this year. This thrilled hungry Manileños who are always itching to try something new.
Although some of these trends have been lurking around the food scene for quite some time now, it is only this 2017 that they’ve finally taken the spotlight. If you’re curious to taste and see these food trends that happened in the past year, read on.
1. Unicorn Cafés
Many unicorn dreams came true this year with the help of unicorn cafés. (Image: Dreamy “Unicorn” Café’s Facebook Page)
Although unicorns are nothing new, millennials saw something in them that made them huge this year. It might be attributed to their whimsical pastel colors or their association with rainbows and glitters, but whatever it is that made them a hit, it looks like they are here to stay.
Aside from fashion and makeup, the unicorn trend has also conquered the food industry. Unicorn-inspired food items like the Unicorn Cupcake from Jamie’s Cakery Kitchen have taken over many Instagram feeds. While Rainbow Dreams Café and Dreamy Unicorn Café will even allow you to wear unicorn onesies while munching on their pastel-colored meals.
Check out our list of themed restaurants in Metro Manila or browse the Dining & Leisure category of the ShoppersGuide Directory.
2. Korean Food
From barbecues to bingsu, this year was a great year for Korean food. (Image: Seol and Bean Café’s Facebook Page)
Another trend that made a stronger comeback this year is the Korean wave. Although we’ve been watching K-dramas since 2003 (courtesy of GMA 7’s Bright Girl), it is only this year that hallyu (the South Korean wave) made it really big in the country. And with our obsession with these K-dramas, our craving for their food soon followed suit.
Today, you can find restaurants that offer unlimited Korean barbecue, such as Samgyupsalamat and Don Day. Not to mention the tasty bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert) that can be found in stores like Hobing Korean Dessert Café for PhP155 to PhP380 and Seol and Bean Café for PhP170 to PhP290. Even Korean street foods like oden (fish cake) and tteokbokki (rice cake) are now making appearances in various food parks and bazaars across Manila.
3. International Brands
Our passion for food made our country a great prospect among international restaurants. (Image: Irvins Salted Egg Philippines’ Facebook Page)
Although not technically a food trend, Manila also welcomed a number of international restaurants this year. International restaurants are nothing new in the Philippines, but it is our love for diverse cuisine and adventurous palate that encouraged many foreign food players to open a branch here in the country.
Who would’ve thought American favorites like Halal Guys and Denny’s would ever open a branch in Manila? But this year alone, we welcomed numerous international restaurants like Tim Hortons, Canada’s famous coffee and donut shop; Irvins Salted Egg, Singapore’s signature snack shop; and Nathan’s Famous, the New York restaurant specializing in hot dogs.
4. Instagrammable Food
This year, we didn’t just eat with our mouth, but with our eyes as well. (Image: The Lost Bread’s Facebook Page)
With people’s inclination to share everything on social media, it’s no wonder Instagrammable foods were born. These yummy drinks and dishes not only fed our tummy but also our eyes, with their unique and quirky presentation that made us inclined to get our phone and post photos of them on social media.
Some of the Instagram-worthy food we’ve seen this year include The Lost Bread’s whimsical milkshakes with cute and crazy toppings (PhP120 to PhP295), and Up in the Cloud’s ice cream encircled with cotton candy (PhP95 to PhP110).
5. Smoothie Bowls
The smoothie bowls took the healthy food trend by storm. (Image: Bliss Bowls’ Facebook Page)
Health buffs and vegetarians have been enjoying a growing number of vegan restaurants in the country these past few years, but this time, a new power meal took the spotlight in the form of smoothie bowls. Albeit similar to the drink, the bowls are actually a healthier version because they are packed with real fruits, are a good source of nutrients, and can be a meal replacement.
One of the first food joints that made the smoothie bowl famous is Bliss Bowls, the first smoothie bowl bar in Manila which offered bowls from PhP199 to PhP260. Soon, other restaurants followed and served their own version of these healthy bowls, including The Wholesome Table and Green Pastures.
6. Banh Mi
Burgers and sandwiches found a new competition with banh mi this year. (Image: Banh Mi Kitchen’s Facebook Page)
Whenever the phrase “Asian cuisine” comes to mind, it’s the Japanese and Chinese food that we most often think of. But lately, Vietnamese food is also joining the spotlight with their banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) becoming one of the newest favorite quick bite this year.
For those who are looking for a quick grub, try Bahn Mi Kitchen and pair their banh mi (PhP109 to PhP189) with their ca phe (Vietnamese coffee) which range in prices from PhP60 to PhP89. But if you like to enjoy your banh mi sitting down, restaurants like Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen and Pho Hoa also serve their own version of the sandwich as well as other Vietnamese dishes.
What’s your favorite food trend that happened this year and which ones have you yet to sample? Let us know in the comments section which ones you are going to try before the year ends!
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
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