HelloFresh is proud to introduce Plate of the Nations, our first-ever global consumer report offering a comprehensive look at how home-cooking habits are evolving worldwide. Drawing on insights from nearly one billion meals cooked across 18 countries, the report provides an unprecedented, data-driven view into the flavors, preferences, and behaviors shaping dinner tables around the globe.

One of the report’s most striking findings: dinner is no longer a local affair. In 83% of markets, the most-cooked dish of the year originated from another country, signaling that international flavors have become a staple in home kitchens everywhere. Whether it’s Surinamese-style noodles in the Netherlands or Portugal-inspired shrimp couscous bowls in the U.S., people are increasingly “traveling the world” through the meals they cook at home.

Key Trends Shaping Global Home Cooking

East Asian dishes are now just as popular as Italian classics, marking a notable shift in how people seek familiarity and comfort on their plates. At the same time, fusion cooking has moved firmly into the mainstream, with home cooks experimenting more than ever and blending flavors and techniques from different cuisines as part of their everyday routines. African cuisine is also rising in influence, with West African and Caribbean flavors gaining momentum as chefs and social creators inspire households to broaden their culinary horizons.

Leading the Way to HelloFresh’s Ongoing Menu Expansion

As we continue to expand our menu globally and offer more variety and personalization, these cuisines and trends are already reflected in our recipes - and will become even more prominent - helping us inspire customers with a broader spectrum of flavors. Despite this growing appetite for exploration, convenience remains essential. Meal kits help home cooks try new ingredients and flavors they may not otherwise attempt, bridging the gap between everyday practicality and global culinary discovery.

“What we’re seeing globally is a real openness to flavor exploration,” says Dr. Nina Wagner, Senior Vice President Global Product at HelloFresh. “Consumers today are looking for the best of both worlds: the comfort of familiar, local dishes they know and love, and the excitement of exploring authentic global flavors. We’re seeing growing demand not only for classics from Indian, Vietnamese, and Mexican cuisines, but also for more niche and regional specialties, from Caribbean to Indonesian and even Szechuan. As we broaden our menu and offer more personalized choices, we’re able to bring these emerging cuisines and trends directly to customers’ kitchens - making it easier than ever for them to cook creatively, confidently, and conveniently.”

This inaugural report marks the beginning of an annual benchmark for global home-cooking trends, offering a clearer understanding of what people are cooking today and where tastes are heading next.

You can find the full report here.