While August leaned into quirky memes and nostalgic throwbacks, September’s trends are equal parts comforting tradition and digital buzz. This month’s top 10 food (and food-inspired) trends showcase beloved classics gaining new life alongside pop culture moments inspiring culinary curiosity. From hearty Mexican stew appearing on hip menus to a quirky Japanese rice ball video game winning hearts, here are September 2025’s must-know food trends:
1. Onigiri Simulator: Virtual Street Food Craze
A new video game about making onigiri (Japanese rice balls) is turning heads in both the gaming and food communities. Onigiri Shop Simulator, released this month, has players obsessing over virtual rice ball prep and shop management, and its cozy realism is winning rave reviews. It’s a crossover hit: Twitch streamers and TikTok creators are showcasing their digital onigiri skills, reflecting how food culture is seeping into gaming. The craze highlights how even a humble street snack can inspire a virtual phenomenon.
2. Pozole: Hearty Hominy Stew Revival
Pozole, a traditional Mexican hominy-and-pork stew, is enjoying a moment in the spotlight. Foodies and chefs from Mexico City to Los Angeles are reviving this centuries-old comfort dish, featuring it on trendy menus and Instagram recipe reels. In Mexico, September’s Independence Day celebrations always bring steaming pots of pozole, but now the rich, communal stew is making waves internationally as people crave authentic, homespun flavors. The rising pozole love signals how traditional recipes can capture modern palates when nostalgia and social media hype intersect.
3. Tsukimi Burger: Moon-Viewing Fast Food Craze
Every autumn in Japan, McDonald’s and other chains roll out the Tsukimi Burger – a limited-time “moon-viewing” sandwich with an egg to symbolize the harvest moon. This year the tradition became a worldwide talking point: social media is buzzing with expats hunting for Tsukimi Burgers abroad and home cooks crafting their own egg-topped “moon” burgers. Even rival chains like KFC hopped on the trend with their own versions, feeding the frenzy. It shows how a local seasonal fast-food tradition can turn into a global cultural moment in the age of viral food fandom.
4. Pumpkin: Fall Flavor Frenzy
Pumpkin season has arrived in full force, and 2025’s obsession might be the wildest yet. Beyond the usual lattes and pies, fans are finding ever-more creative ways to pumpkin-ize everything – one TikTok trend even has people ordering their coffee inside a hollowed-out pumpkin for maximum fall vibes. From grocery aisles (pumpkin spice popcorn, anyone?) to pet treats and candles, there’s no escaping the orange glow. Love it or roll your eyes, this annual flavor craze shows how nostalgia and seasonal cravings keep consumers enchanted (and brands eager to innovate) every autumn.
5. Shishamo: Little Fish, Big Trend
Shishamo – a small Japanese smelt fish traditionally grilled and eaten whole – is swimming into global food trend territory. Long a favorite bar snack in Japan, these crispy grilled smelt (often served with their roe intact) are now popping up on izakaya menus overseas and in foodie Instagram feeds. Adventurous eaters are embracing shishamo’s savory flavor and the novelty of eating nose-to-tail (yes, bones and all). The shishamo buzz reflects a growing appetite for authentic, offbeat Japanese delicacies as culinary curiosity goes worldwide.
6. Tonkotsu Ramen: Rich Broth Revival
Tonkotsu ramen – the rich, creamy pork-bone noodle soup – is seeing a resurgence as the comfort food of the moment. Ramen bars from Tokyo to Toronto report long lines for this umami-packed bowl, and even instant noodle brands have launched premium tonkotsu flavors this fall to meet the demand. Food influencers are celebrating its indulgent appeal on chilly evenings, slurping up noodles on camera with pure joy. Whether at a trendy shop or at home on the couch, the tonkotsu craze proves that a classic can still steal the spotlight in 2025.
7. Cornichons: Little Pickle, Big Appeal
Cornichons – those tiny, tangy French pickles – are having a big moment. Once just a gourmet garnish, these crunchy mini-gherkins are now stars of TikTok snack boards and charcuterie spreads everywhere. Trendy bars are even dropping cornichons into cocktails (pickle martini, anyone?) as the briny flavor craze continues. This little pickle’s surge in popularity shows our craving for bold, nostalgic flavors and proves that even the humblest condiment can become a breakout star.
8. Lois Boisson: Tennis Underdog’s Viral Moment
French tennis underdog Lois Boisson found herself in the cultural spotlight, bridging sports and viral media. The 22-year-old wowed home crowds with a deep run at the French Open, but it was a bizarre mid-match “you need deodorant” jab from an opponent (and Boisson’s witty request for a Dove sponsorship in response) that made her a trending topic. Young fans flooded social platforms to defend Boisson and applaud her unbothered, humorous take on the incident. In 2025, even a tennis controversy can morph into pop culture fodder – and Boisson’s newfound fame shows how authenticity and humor can win over the internet.
9. Ice Cream Khaungi: Bollywood Earworm Goes Viral
A campy Bollywood song lyric from a decade ago has become the internet’s latest musical meme. “Ice cream khaungi, Kashmir jaaungi” (“I’ll eat ice cream, I’ll go to Kashmir”) – a catchy line from a 2014 Himesh Reshammiya track – resurfaced on TikTok and Reels, with creators dancing and lip-syncing to its absurdly fun chorus. The infectious hook has transcended language barriers, turning into a global earworm for Gen Z and beyond. It’s a prime example of how nostalgic pop culture can be remixed into viral entertainment, proving that no catchy tune stays gone for long.
10. Kızılcık Şerbeti: TV Drama Sparks Sherbet Craze
Turkey’s smash-hit TV drama Kızılcık Şerbeti (“Cranberry Sherbet”) is stirring up more than just ratings. The series’ new season has ignited huge online chatter – from debates over its scandalous plot twists to curiosity about the traditional drink in its title. Viewers from Istanbul to Los Angeles are googling “cranberry sherbet” recipes and sipping the real sugary brew as they binge-watch, blending fiction with flavor. It’s a cultural crossover where a pop drama is reviving interest in an old-school beverage, underlining how media can spark real-life cravings.