Food Trends

Taking a picture of your food before eating it may seem ridiculous to some people, but no matter how silly you find it, you’re guaranteed to be snapping away when you order some of these items.

With the age of social media, trends spread across the globe like wildfire. Food is no exception to this, and believe me, no one loves Instagramming pictures of their food more than students. They’re the type of pictures that will get you drooling uncontrollably. Luckily, in Montreal, we’re surrounded by Instagram-worthy food. Here are five recent food trends and the top places you could find each of them in this lovely city. Start snapping!

1. Poke Bowl

Poke bowls have been described to me as “sushi in a bowl”, but it’s not exactly that. They both consist of raw fish and rice, however their origins are completely different. Sushi originates from Japan, whereas poke comes from Hawaii. The word “poke” in Hawaiian means sections, or to cut. A poke bowl is a raw fish salad made up of rice, raw fish, vegetables and sauce. In Hawaii it is traditionally served as an entrée or an appetizer.

If you are dying to try this Hawaiian dish, but don’t have the luxury of enjoying it in their beautiful weather, don’t worry! The weather doesn’t have an easy solution but the poke does, considering it can be found right here in Montreal. Le Poké Bar (2153 Rue Crescent) was one of the first poke places to open in this city and would be an excellent provider for your first poke experience. Located minutes away from Guy-Concordia metro station, this is the perfect place to enjoy a break between classes.

2. Avocados

Lately, everyone’s been going on a little bit of a health craze. People have been more aware of what foods they’re putting into their bodies, opting for “good fats” and avoiding “bad fats”. This public awareness is excellent because it makes people look and, most importantly, feel better. One of the prime examples of a “good fat” is the avocado. This superfood has been taking over due to its positive effects on your health. There are so many ways to enjoy this fruit but one of my personal favourite ways to enjoy it is on toast.

Some great avocado toast can be found in Montreal, especially at Café Parvis (433 Mayor St, Montreal). They serve it with a poached egg on top but that’s not the only avocado item they have on their menu. They also have a breakfast pizza, which has egg and avocado on it. Go see for yourself!

3. Vegan

As previously stated, eating healthy has become a trend in itself. A trend that derives from this is being a vegan, which we've been hearing more of now than ever. Although it can be very dangerous for your health if not done properly, becoming a vegan is usually a great choice for your body if you’re educated and doing it correctly. As long as you’re still getting enough protein, iron, and other vital nutrients, deciding to become a vegan should go fine for you.

Lola Rosa (545 Milton, Montreal) is a great restaurant to try out a trend or commit to a lifestyle and enjoy a nice, healthy meal. There are regular items such as burgers, pies, and lasagnas--but they're all vegan!

4. Kale

To continue on this healthy food streak, kale is up next on the list. In the past few years, this antioxidant-rich veggie has come into light and made an appearance everywhere. It can be found in salads, smoothies and more. Salads and smoothies are equally delicious and refreshing, so both deserved to be mentioned here.

Mighty Kale, a kale smoothie from Jugo Juice, is deliciously refreshing and pumped with the taste of pineapple. In all honesty, you don’t even taste the kale. Plus, it’s a beautiful light green colour that’s sure to be a hit in an Instagram post. A great place for a salad with kale is Mandy’s--try the Super Food Salad for a nice healthy kick, as it contains spinach, kale, arugula, and more.

5. Rolled Ice Cream

Ending off with a not-so-healthy bang,this ice cream trend originates from Thailand. It creamy, firm ice cream that’s man fried and poured over an iced grill. It is available in endless flavours and can come with any toppings. It’s visually appealing and super satisfying and refreshing. Since summer is right around the corner here in Montreal, you may want to hop aboard the rolled ice cream train and give the trend ago. Crèmerie Pandan, a Thai ice cream parlour, is the only place that offers this unique treat in Montreal. Last summer was their opening and they’re set to reopen sometime in May, so be patient!

Do yourself a favour and give in to these trends because you will not regret it. Also, keep your eyes peeled for any of these five items showing up on your Instagram feed. You’re sure to be seeing some!

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