As an alternative to serving seafood in a simple sauce of garlic and butter, Panda Express is now introducing its consumers to an all-new 'Five Flavor Shrimp' entree.
As the limited-time dish was originally inspired by a sweet-and-sour Chinese shrimp recipe, it features red bell peppers, onions, green string beans and shrimp marinated in a Chinese-inspired umami sauce. The new shrimp entree gets its name because it successfully covers five distinct flavors—sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. This new menu addition at Panda Express is identified as a premium offering that comes at an extra cost.
Rather than looking for just one-note flavors from their food and beverages, curious consumers are now experimenting with complex ingredient pairings, especially interesting combinations that take cues from global cuisine.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Global Cuisine Ingredient Pairings
- As consumers seek out more complex flavor profiles, innovators can explore unique ingredient pairings that draw inspiration from different global cuisines.
- Umami-centric Menus
- Innovative food companies can capitalize on the popularity of umami flavors by offering menu items that highlight this savory taste profile.
- Premium Limited-time Offerings
- Offering premium limited-time items can create excitement and interest in a brand's menu, while also giving consumers a chance to try something new.
Where This Applies
- Fast Casual Restaurants
- Fast casual restaurants can differentiate themselves by incorporating unique and global-inspired flavor profiles into their menus, capturing the interest of adventurous consumers.
- Food Manufacturing
- Manufacturers can create new products that incorporate umami flavors or other complex ingredient pairings to capture the attention of consumers looking for bold and unique tastes.
- Food Service Distribution
- Distributors can work with foodservice providers to offer premium, limited-time options that create buzz and generate excitement among consumers.
