Over the past seven years, India’s food scene has undergone a delicious revolution, one that brings in tradition with innovation, nostalgia with global curiosity, and health with indulgence. The Godrej Food Trends Report (GFTR) has predicted trends that redefine how we eat, cook, and connect. Dive into this flavourful journey through GFTR’s most impactful forecasts that are reshaping menus, mindsets, and markets.

2018: Rise of the millets

• Trend: Indigenous millets (ragi, jowar, bajra) stormed menus from gourmet dishes to everyday rotis.
• Why It Stuck: Nutrient-dense, climate-resilient, and gluten-free.
• Did You Know? Millets use 70% less water than rice!

2019: Fermentation frenzy

• Trend: Kombucha, kanji, dhokla, and dosa batter led a probiotic revolution.
• Impact: Gut health met bold flavours, with multiple startups joining the wave.
• Did You Know? Fermented foods can boost serotonin production (the happy hormone)!

2020: Craving ghar ka khana

• Trend: Nostalgic diners ordered home-style dal, khichdi, and comfort thalis.
• Driver: Pandemic uncertainty made “maa ke haath ka khana” a healing ritual.
• Did You Know? The world reported a spike in ‘comfort food’ orders during 2020.

2021: Regional cuisines renaissance

• Trend: Chefs spotlighted hyper-local dishes like Nagaland’s smoked pork, Sindhi kokis, Kodava pandi curry.
• Star Players: Cloud kitchens and home chefs became micro-cuisine storytellers.
• Did You Know? Multiple forgotten regional dishes resurged on menus.

2022: Snacking, but smarter

• Trend: Protein bars, millet chips, and seed-based bites replaced empty calories.
• Innovators: Brands like Yoga Bar and The Whole Truth redefined ‘healthy munching’.
• Did You Know? 80% of urban Indians now check nutrition labels before buying snacks.

2023: Guilt-free desserts

• Trend: Jaggery-laddoos, ragi halwa, and bite-sized dark chocolates won hearts.
• Secret Sauce: Ayurvedic ingredients (ashwagandha, dates) met modern cravings.
• Did You Know? Sugar-free dessert sales grew to USD 2.3 billion in 2023 from USD 1.9 billion in 2019.

2024: K-food goes mainstream

• Trend: Kimchi, bibimbap, and tteokbokki entered Indian kitchens, pushed forward by K-pop and K-dramas.
• Fusion Hits: Masala gochujang fries, ‘Desi-Korean’ street food and eateries.
• Did You Know? Major FMCG and QSR brands quickly tapped into the Korean wave — Knorr rolled out Korean-style ramen cups and hot-pot inspired ready-to-cook meals, while McDonald’s India launched a special Korean-themed menu featuring burgers, fries, and seasoning blends.

Ready to taste tomorrow? Watch this space for bite-sized updates on India’s food revolution in GFTR 2025.