The Power of Street Food

Street food is consumed by an estimated 2.5bn people worldwide each day⁽¹⁾, so it’s no surprise the calibre of tasty occasions this market presents to bakers. But why has street food become so popular? And what opportunities does it present to the bakery category?

The growth of street food worldwide

Street food has become synonymous with city markets, summer parties, food festivals and has continued to grow at a rapid rate. Globally, consumers are steadily integrating street food into their daily lives, seeking a culinary experience that offers variety and convenience. Street food’s integration into global dining habits reflects a demand for diverse, satisfying, and affordable meals.  1 in 4 consumers globally have consumed street food in the last 12 months² and top drivers for making the street food choice include enjoyment, experience, positive experience and value for money. With 30% of global consumers reporting that inflation influences their dining choices², street food has emerged as a cost-effective option.

Street food trends research indicates that 55% of consumers visit street food markets a few of times a month. Nearly half of global consumers desire healthier menu choices and seasonal dishes when eating out². Additionally, the buzz continues in search query volume on Google, bulstering global interest in the trend both out of home and within consumer kitchens.

Why street food?

Nowadays, consumers are looking for something more from their food than just a good meal, and this is where street food delivers. The street food scene embodies excitement, storytelling, quality products and diverse global cuisines that many consumers may never have come across.

With smaller servings that fit easily into everyday life, street food encourages spontaneous purchase that offers a convenient way to enjoy food – whether it be grabbing something quick for lunch or meeting a friend for a catch up.

Flavours and cuisines

Food is an incredible tool for triggering positive memories, which is why some of the most popular street food cuisines are from exotic locations that are often linked to travelling or holidays – such as Bahh Mi sandwiches from Vietnam or Burritos from Mexico.

It’s also notable that street food is catering to the taste of Gen-Z consumers, with their tastes being more adventurous than generations prior. 32% of Gen-Z are passionate about trying new foods and flavours, with 50% of them wanting to eat more unique meals from different cuisines³.

Some of the most trending dishes inspired by global flavours include Tacos, Bao Buns, Korean & Japanese Fried Chicken, Seafood Sandwiches and others – but traditional staples such as Pizza and Burgers are still firmly on consumers radars for enjoying too.

The rise of the gourmet burger

It’s doesn’t get more traditional than a burger, but while there are plenty of traditional burger spots, it’s the street food stalls offering gourmet options that are drawing consumers in.

The gourmet burger has been gaining traction with global consumers for some years, with ingredients such as Wagyu beef, Truffle and Lobster now becoming a regular staple on street food menus across the country.

But it’s the burger carrier, rather than the burger itself, that presents the most opportunity for bakers. Buns, brioches, flat breads… all products which provide a strong base for creativity and innovation, and often the first thing the customer will see.

Premium buns such as brioche have continued to make their mark on the street food scene, with brioche buns in general having grown more than 66% in the last four years⁴.

What’s next for street food?

As we continue to see a rise in popularity for social platforms such as Tik Tok, we foresee street food vendors becoming more daring and creative with their dishes, opting for ‘exclusive’ and ‘limited edition’ creations that will encourage viral content and in turn, have consumers eager to try it for themselves.

The visual appeal of street food will continue to be just as important as the taste, as consumers turn to colourful dishes to create ‘Instagram-worthy’ content. This means the presentation, texture and colours of the dishes will prove more important than ever, to help elevate the customer’s street food experience.

We also see the trend for ‘fusion frenzy’ coming into play, with vendors marrying flavours, to bring together different cuisines that excite the tastebuds. We have already started to see this trend grow, with the introduction of Katsu Chicken Burgers, Fish & Chip Tacos and more.

Welcome to the Bakels Street Food Truck 🍔

As a Group with global insight into local cuisines, we have called upon our colleagues for inspiration to open the Bakels virtual street food truck, serving up delicious delights from around the world, all made using Bakels ingredients. We know convenience for street food vendors is paramount – Our ingredients are versatile and simple to process, delivering the consistency in finished products your customers expect.

Sopaipilla

These are a very popular preparation among Chileans and common to eat when it rains. These fried doughs are mainly made up of wheat flour, lard and cooked pumpkin. In southern Chile, sopaipillas are a little different, as they don’t have pumpkin and are more like fried bread. This dish may be the easiest to find (along with empanadas) and available on many street stalls.

Traditionally they are eaten with mustard or pebre (typical Chilean sauce made with onion, tomato, chili pepper, cilantro, salt, oil and white vinegar). They are also usually eaten cooked in chancaca sauce (sweet from sugar cane), typically called “Sopaipillas Pasadas”.

Discover this delicious sopaipillas recipe from our colleagues in Chile 👇

Soft Pretzel

Soft pretzels make great street food, as they’re easily consumable, portable, and digestible. This is something you can grab (for a low cost, as with most great street food dishes) and eat while walking in a short amount of time. You’ll generally find soft pretzels displayed inside a food truck or food cart case.

Discover this delicious soft pretzel recipe from our colleagues in Poland 👇

Oliebollen

Oliebollen are Dutch pastries similar to doughnuts. These deep-fried treats are usually filled with raisins and lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Oliebollen are a popular treat on New Year’s – Eat them hot if possible!

Discover this delicious olibollen recipe from our colleagues in the Netherlands 👇

Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)

Cheese bread or Brazilian cheese balls is a small, baked cheese roll or cheese ball, a popular and perfect as a street food staple.

Discover this delicious cheese bread recipe from our colleagues in the Brazil 👇

Ladi Pav

Ladi pav is a soft, fluffy Indian bread that is made up of buns that are stuck together to form a block. The word “ladi pav” is a combination of the words “ladi” which means chain and “pav” which means bread or bun. These soft, fluffy rolls are often paired with popular dishes like:

• Pav Bhaji – A flavourful, spiced vegetable mash served with buttered pav.
• Vada Pav – A spiced potato fritter (vada) placed inside a pav, often referred to as the “Indian burger.”

Discover this delicious Ladi Pav recipe from our colleagues in the India 👇

Brioche Burger Bun

The classic – A popular and satisfying option for a quick and mouth-watering meal. Many brioche buns you will see at market stalls today embrace an perfectly imperfect appearance, many of which are overfilled with irresistible fillings and sauces, appealing to consumers seeking truly wholesome and crafted dishes.

Discover this delicious Brioche Burger Bun recipe from our colleagues in the Sweden👇

Data: (1) The Food People – Street Food Infographic, (2) Innova Market Insights – Street Food Trends: Global Market Overview, (3) Hartman Group ‘A recipe for Gen Z’s ideal eats’, (4) Datassential