CreatripTeam

Marriott International's 'Future of Food 2026' report on Asia-Pacific dining highlights a shift from formal fine dining to 'casual luxury' or 'fine-casual'—comfortable yet refined meals that mix familiar dishes with creative touches (e.g., caviar-topped fried chicken). The study surveyed F&B teams across 270 hotels in 20 cities and consulted industry experts. Key trends include immersive and interactive dining experiences (such as dark dining and edible art), renewed focus on local ingredients and storytelling, and increased use of AI and social media for restaurant operations and reservations. The report spotlights emerging culinary hubs—Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and mainland China—and rising third-generation chefs blending tradition and innovation. For Korea specifically, guests show strong interest in celebrity chef concepts (46% vs. 31% APAC average), highly visual "Instagrammable" dishes (92% choose by visual appeal), and health-focused options: low- or no-alcohol drinks (62% vs. 28% APAC average), vegetarian choices (77%), and gluten-free dishes (69%). Marriott emphasizes dining as a multisensory cultural experience that reflects local identity and storytelling.