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Industry sources say on the 9th that food companies are now weaving trends spotted in online communities and social media into product planning from the jump. When something clicks with the MZ generation (Millennials and Gen Z), it often sparks active participation from consumers, so companies see these moments as real market opportunities.
A standout example is Orion’s new product, Jjikmeok O! Gamja — Butter Garlic French Fry flavor. Orion pulled inspiration from the “shared fries” culture blowing up on social media, where friends order fries together and mix different sauces — a viral way of eating that captured attention online.
Orion translated that behavior into a snack concept. They layered butter and garlic notes for a sweet-and-salty vibe, extended the stick length for extra crunch, and designed it to be fun to dip — a natural nod to the social-media-fueled way people now enjoy fries.
Dessert trends born online are making the leap to stores, too. Last month Orion rolled out the Hot Break Chewy Cookie Bar, inspired by the “Dubai chewy cookie” craze that caught on with younger crowds.
The bar pairs marshmallow and cookie to create a playful, chewy texture. The packaging even features an elongated cat character to visually sell that stretchiness — a design choice tailor-made for teens and 20-somethings.
Brands are also borrowing from global movements. Seoul Milk Cooperative launched a new King Matcha Strawberry drink last month, marrying bold matcha with strawberry juice. King Matcha first appeared in November as a matcha-based ready-to-drink (RTD) option; Seoul Milk previously pushed into the premium market with King Matcha Espresso, mixing matcha, espresso, and milk. The cooperative says it will keep expanding its matcha lineup.
Recipes that started as internet memes are showing up on menus, too. In January, Dunkin' introduced a Blueberry Cream Cheese Donut inspired by the “ex-boyfriend toast” recipe that went viral in online communities.
The toast trend — cream cheese topped with blueberry jam — spread across social media, and Dunkin' reimagined it as a limited-time donut: a tart-style dough filled with cream cheese and finished with blueberry jam.
An industry executive summed it up: “We’re seeing more examples where online food trends become real products. Where companies once relied on long-term development plans, speed now defines brand competitiveness. The winners are the brands that can spot viral consumption patterns on social media and turn them into products fast.”
