Explore a NEW REGION of flavor
Southeast Asian cuisine has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity in recent years. And with a rich and diverse culinary tradition encompassing the flavors of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, to name a few, it’s no wonder that consumers are looking to expand their palates.
Characterized by its harmonious blend of aromatic spices, vibrant herbs and tantalizing textures, Southeast Asian cuisine offers an enticing journey into the heart of the region's culture and history. As more and more consumers seek out these bold yet balanced flavors, operators are looking for creative methods to celebrate this sought-after cuisine in a way that makes sense for their kitchen and menu.
Conagra Foodservice is happy to provide you and your staff with the products, insights and inspiration to help make the most of the rising trend.
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By the numbers
of patrons try global cuisine to discover new flavors1
of consumers order global cuisine from foodservice outlets at least once a month2
of consumers enjoy traditional dishes with a global flavor twist3
The quick dish
Today’s customers are already familiar with ingredients like coconut milk, fish sauce, Thai basil and ginger that are staples of many Southeast Asian cuisines. And that opens the door to more experimentation and curiosity! Here are some ingredients that are demonstrating impressive growth on today’s menus. They can bring authenticity to your offerings or deliver an interesting new flavor profile to a fusion-style dish.
Brand focus
Popular brands from Conagra Foodservice make it easy and convenient for you to create unique dishes featuring the delicious Southeast Asian flavors customers are seeking out.
Chef tips
Southeast Asian cuisine is hot this year, so expect to see dishes inspired by Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines on menus across the nation. To help expand your offering with a bit of Southeast Asian flair, the Conagra Foodservice team has put together a few helpful tips and tricks.
REIMAGINE FAMILIAR FAVORITES. Sandwiches and burgers are perfect for introducing global flavors. For a Filipino adobo chicken sandwich, try crispy boneless chicken tossed in a sweet and sour sauce made with La Choy® Soy Sauce, vinegar, garlic and brown sugar, served on a sesame seed bun with Asian slaw. Make it vegetarian with Gardein® Ultimate Breaded Plant-Based Chick’n Filets.
KEEP IT AUTHENTIC. Consumers interested in global cuisine value authenticity. Transport them to Vietnam with La Choy® Fancy Mixed Vegetables added to their favorite broth with chicken, pork or beef for a fresh take on pho. Finish with fresh herbs, lime juice and La Choy® Chow Mein Noodles for a unique crunch.
TAKE IT TO THE STREETS. Capitalize on the popularity of street food with your own take on bakso bakar, or Indonesian meatballs. Mix Odom’s Tennessee Pride® Mild Country Sausage with La Choy® Soy Sauce and garlic, form into meatballs, then skewer and grill them. For an extra flavor boost, baste with La Choy® Teriyaki Sauce.
BRING THE HEAT. Cater to customers looking for a little spice with something like Singapore chili crab. Toss shellfish in a spicy chili sauce made with Angela Mia® Crushed Tomatoes and rice wine vinegar stewed with fresh chilies, coriander and green onion. Balance the spice with Hunt’s® 100% Natural Ketchup to enrich the tomato flavor.
AWAKEN THEIR TASTE BUDS. There’s no better way to excite the taste buds than with nuoc cham, a Vietnamese dipping sauce known for its sweet heat. Create your own using vinegar, sugar and chilies, and serve it with spring rolls stuffed with La Choy® Fancy Bean Sprouts, lettuce, carrots, shrimp and herbs to allow the flavors to shine.
Take customers on a CULINARY JOURNEY
We’re proud to provide your kitchen with creative recipe ideas designed to make exploring new types of cuisine fun for you and delicious for customers.
LONGANISA BREAKFAST SANDWICH
Start with longanisa-style sausage crafted with Odom’s Tennessee Pride® Mild Country Sausage, ginger, red pepper, tomato bouillon powder, garlic, coconut vinegar and La Choy® Light Soy Sauce. Pair with golden-brown hashbrowns, Edam cheese and over-easy eggs on a potato roll. View Recipe
COCONUT CURRY SOUP WITH SHRIMP AND VEGETABLES
This tasty soup begins with a medley of sautéed La Choy® Asian Stir-Fry Vegetables and adds in red curry paste, chicken stock, coconut milk, La Choy® Bamboo Shoots and shrimp. Finish it all off with fish sauce, La Choy® Soy Sauce and a pinch of salt. View Recipe
SPICY SINGAPORE NOODLE BOWL
Coat juicy, lean sirloin with a mixture of La Choy® Soy Sauce, cumin, hot chili sauce and red pepper flakes and stir fry with La Choy® Asian Stir-Fry Vegetables. Add in freshly chopped cilantro and serve over rice noodles in a rich broth for a bowl everyone will love. View Recipe
PLANT-BASED GENERAL TSO'S CHICK’N
Cook up Gardein® Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Nuggets to a nice golden brown and add to broccoli, sautéed onions, garlic and ginger. Dress with a sweet and spicy General Tso sauce featuring La Choy® Soy Sauce and Hunt’s® Tomato Ketchup, garnish with green onion and serve over rice. View Recipe
Operator spotlight
From QSR to fine dining, operators are expanding their Southeast Asian culinary repertoire to showcase the sweet, spicy, tart and tangy flavors of more countries than ever before. Here are some of the interesting dishes we’re seeing on menus, to help you get inspired!
NOODLES & COMPANY With their focus on global noodle dishes, it’s no surprise that the national chain offered a Vietnamese Steak Broth Bowl LTO, a traditional pho-style beef broth with rice noodles, steak, spinach, napa cabbage and red cabbage, topped with green onion and cilantro.
THE PEACHED TORTILLA, AUSTIN This casual eatery offers a Malaysian Laksa Bowl that contains poached shrimp, tonkotsu noodles, curry seafood broth, bean sprouts and a 45-minute egg, positioning the dish as a shareable entrée.
SUNDA, CHICAGO For a more upscale take on fusion fare, this Chicago favorite serves up Bulgogi Roti Tacos, with sliced sesame-soy marinated ribeye and red cabbage slaw on roti prata, and Lemongrass Beef Lollipops dressed in a ginger-soy glaze.
SOPHIE’S KITCHEN, PHILADELPHIA Along with an array of traditional Cambodian salads, soups and noodle dishes, this eatery offers aromatic and flavorful entrées like Cha Kroeung Sach Moan, a lemongrass-forward chicken coconut curry sautéed with onion, string beans, bell pepper and makrut lime leaf.