# Next-Gen Teriyaki Sauces Kikkoman Refreshed Its Teriyaki Lineup and Launched 'Unleash Legendary' By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-04-06 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unleash-legendary References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kikkoman-launches-unleash-legendary-campaign-and-reimagines-teriyaki-portfolio-for-a-new-generation-of-home-cooks-302734173.html) & [kikkomanusa](https://kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/teriyaki-unleash-legendary/)  For a new generation of home cooks who love to experiment and layer flavor, Kikkoman introduced updated packaging, a reformulated teriyaki lineup and a multi-year Unleash Legendary campaign. "[Gen Z](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sauz) treats sauces as essential tools for creativity in the kitchen," said Tak Hirota, Chief Marketing Officer of [Kikkoman Sales USA, Inc.](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kikkoman-fire-up-the-umami) "With our enhanced teriyaki lineup and the 'Unleash Legendary' campaign, we're showing how Kikkoman's heritage craftsmanship can help home cooks transform everyday meals into something delicious and unforgettable." The enhanced teriyaki collection includes three product formats: Kikkoman [Teriyaki](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teriyaki-bbq-sauce-korean-style) BBQ Sauce with a thicker texture, richer color and varieties like Garlic & Green Onion, Korean BBQ, Gochujang Spicy Miso, and Triple Ginger designed to do the heavy lifting; Kikkoman Marinade & Sauce and Marinade & Stir Fry; and Kikkoman Teriyaki BBQ & Glaze for the grill, oven or broiler. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.2/10 - Popularity: 85% | Activity: 89% | Freshness: 72% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Flavor-as-a-tool:** Younger cooks treating sauces as creative instruments creates openings for products that enable layered, customizable flavor experiences across cuisines. - **Heritage Brands Reimagined:** Legacy condiment makers updating formulations and storytelling to appeal to modern tastes signals potential for premiumized, nostalgia-anchored product lines. - **Format Diversification:** The emergence of distinct formats like thick BBQ glazes, marinades, and stir-fry sauces points to opportunities for format-specific innovation tailored to cooking methods. ### Who This Affects Most - **Packaged Foods:** Retail sauce portfolios expanding into niche flavor variants and textures indicate room for novel SKUs and co-branded limited editions targeted at adventurous home cooks. - **Foodservice & Restaurants:** Restaurants and foodservice operators experimenting with bold, layered sauces suggest potential for exclusive formulations that enhance menu differentiation. - **Kitchenware & Meal Kits:** Meal kit and cookware companies incorporating chef-ready sauces implies opportunities for bundled offerings that simplify complex flavor layering for consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Squeezable Peanut Butters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drizzy-peanut-butter.md) - [Truffle-Infused Condiment Packaging Refreshes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packaging-refresh.md) - [High-Fiber Stir-Fry Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highfiber-yakisoba.md) - [BBQ-Themed Soy Sauce Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kikkoman-fire-up-the-umami.md) - [Premium Thai Barbecue Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soi-capitol-hill.md) - [Dry Mix Dip Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/danos-seasoning.md) - [Versatile Japanese Dipping Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-dipping-sauce.md) - [Backpacking Stove Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trailcook-12liter-stove.md) - [Stainless Steel Blenders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ascent-x5.md)