What has long been a part of the cityscape on American streets is also becoming more and more popular on the German gastronomy scene – food trucks. Especially in recent years, food trucks in Germany have undergone a massive image change and are gaining greater popularity in the industry.
While for a long time it was the home of snacks or fast food, meals on wheels today presents itself in a new, trendy guise and convinces with innovative culinary creations.
What is behind the food truck concept?
Food trucks open up new perspectives for taste sensations and are emerging as the new gamechangers in German gastronomy. With their flexible location and culinary offerings, they bring refreshing variety to metropolitan areas and meet the new needs of the foodie generation.
The food truck concept refers to a restaurant on wheels that focuses on one or a few specialties and combines high quality with speedy serving times. Thanks to the advance preparation of the necessary ingredients, pre-cooking of some food components and nimble procedures, guests enjoy delicious slow food after a short waiting time. Front cooking also gives them the opportunity to be directly present during the process of preparation. This connects and creates a unique experience with a potential for repeating.
Unlike the old familiar snack van, the new food trucks are always in the right spot at the right time. Full mobility allows them to show up at lunchtime in the commercial district, at corporate or private events, or street food festivals. They represent current food trends and satisfy the need for a relaxed but high-quality dining experience in an urban setting.
What are the hot food truck trends in 2022?
Mobile kitchens offer a variety of options. Food trucks can quickly respond to changing eating habits and lifestyles and make them tasty for their guests. In particular, the shift toward healthier and more sustainable diets, vegetarianism and veganism, and multicultural influences are reflected in the current food truck trends 2022.
Food truck trend no. 1: Vegan fast food
Unhealthy fast food is a thing of the past. Vegan and vegetarian food trucks bring a breath of fresh air to fast food culture and offer balanced alternatives to the classic cheeseburger with fries. During preparation, no additives or flavor enhancers are used. Burgers with plant-based patties, whole-grain or brioche buns from regional bakers, and organic vegetables are not only significantly healthier, but are also in no way inferior in taste to the meat-based versions.
Food truck trend no. 2: Slow food
Slow Food is a counter-movement to fast food. It is characterized by enjoyable and conscious dishes with products from local and seasonal cultivation. Whether burgers with organic meat, rich soups and stews, or vegetable casseroles – the slow food diet offers endless possibilities. Since only high-quality and selected ingredients are used, the focus here is more on the quality than the quantity of the food. The goal of the slow food scene is to ensure sustainable economic cycles while maintaining high food quality.
Food truck trend no. 3: Healthy hedonism
Healthy hedonism refers to healthy plant-based soul food and is one of the current top trends among food fans. The focus is on healthy, conscious nutrition in harmony with body and well-being. Plant-based diets include vegetables, fruits and legumes, as well as superfoods like nuts and seeds. Thus, on the menus of the healthy hedonism food trucks, you can find mainly low-carb and gluten-free dishes such as vegetable pizzas, bowls or smoothies.
Food truck trend no. 4: Levantine cuisine
Gastronomy thrives on multicultural influences. Food trucks with specialties from the Middle East such as Levantine cuisine invite you to discover new flavors. Levantine cuisine originates from the eastern Mediterranean from countries such as Syria, Israel, Jordan or Lebanon and is becoming increasingly popular over here. It is characterized by little meat, plenty of vegetables and many different spices. Most of the food can be prepared quickly, is very healthy and impresses with variety, individuality and unique flavors. Among the most famous dishes of Levantine cuisine are hummus, falafel and shakshuka.
Food truck trend no. 5: Dessert bars on wheels
Food trucks do not only have delicious lunch dishes on offer. Meanwhile, there are also delicious desserts on wheels, which should not be missing on any street food festival or corporate party. Whether ice cream, pastries, crepes, frozen yogurt, healthy shakes or smoothies – there are no limits to creativity. Many food trucks also offer their guests the possibility to individually compose their desserts and thereby convince with personalization and selection.
Food trucks – temporary hype or real competition for restaurants?
Comparing food trucks and traditional restaurants is difficult to do. After all, both pursue completely different concepts and each appeal to different audiences. Thus, instead of competition, food trucks should be viewed as a complement or enhancement to the restaurant culture. They offer an exciting expansion opportunity for existing restaurateurs to test new creations or expand their customer base, and are just as great a start-up idea for young restaurateurs.
The mobile kitchens can be used flexibly, are more cost-effective than venues that have to be rented, and can be operated efficiently. The direct contact with guests and the presence at markets or street food festivals make a unique contribution to new customer acquisition. At the same time, additional offerings such as catering or delivery services can create attractive additional markets. What cannot be ignored is the topic of health and sustainability, which runs like a thread through all the food truck trends in 2022.
By using regional and seasonal foods, it is possible to create a varied and healthy menu. Serving food on sustainable disposable tableware like that from the Bagasse collection by PLAYGROUND also helps reduce the environmental footprint of the food truck. Bagasse tableware is made largely from sugar cane and is completely biodegradable. Thanks to its versatile use, both soups and solid foods can be served sustainably without creating unnecessary plastic waste.
