It seems like more and more people are ordering spicy foods at restaurants—and if not directly packing heat, those that have an added punch of boldness in the flavor.
Peri-peri, the hot sauce made from African bird’s eye chili peppers, has grown 49.5 percent on U.S. menus over the past four years, while bulgogi is growing traction—up 53 percent in the same time period per Datassential.
It’s prime time to spice up your chicken wings with these flavors.
Why Consumers Like Spice
Like most habits and increasing trends, the behavior of eating spicier, more flavorful foods is learned. This process of learning to love heat is what is called “benign masochism” by psychologist Paul Rozin—and this benign masochism is growing as our penchant for fusion flavors grows.
Peri-Peri, Please
Peri-peri hot sauce can be known as “peri-peri,” “piri-piri,” or “pili-pili.” However you say it, this spicy coating has created an on-trend movement with many fast-casual and quick-service restaurants—and it’s especially pleasing when used on chicken wings. Some consumers even think it’s even better than sriracha.
Peri-peri has been around since the late 15th century, and today it’s an important part of both Portuguese and many African cuisines. It’s probably most associated with Nando’s Peri-Peri, which has more than 1,200 restaurants in over 30 countries.
Consumers’ increasing taste for flavors that pack heat is driving more and more operators to get innovative with this sauce. Beyond chicken wings, consider using it on scrambled eggs or a pan-seared salmon with vegetable succotash.
Bring the Bulgogi
Bulgogi is bringing Korean BBQ flavors more and more mainstream. Bulgogi, as well as its signature sauce, is part of a recent surge in interest in Korean cuisine, alongside kimchi and gochujang. The sauce can bring a boldness of flavor to your chicken wings, beef dishes, and more.
You could even toss meat in the sauce and put it in a bowl: thin slices of bulgogi beef with cucumber, carrot, green onion, and radishes could be set atop rice. If you’re feeling adventurous, maybe even drizzle some peri-peri sauce on top.
Your Sourcing Solution
Are you ready to be adventurous with spice on your menu? Peri-peri and bulgogi are perfect to try in LTOs to meet the growing demand for heat—and Dot Foods is your sourcing solution. Share your creations with us using #DevourByDot on Instagram.