From Instagram to IRL: Where to find this year's trendy treats in Edmonton

From globally-inspired pastries to vegan fast food and Connor McDavid-themed culinary delights, Edmonton has a lot to offer anyone looking to try something trendy.

If you've only ever heard of tanghulu or cronigiri, have no fear – you can find them here.

From globally-inspired pastries to vegan fast food and Connor McDavid-themed culinary delights, Edmonton has a lot to offer anyone looking to try something trendy.

Here is a look at some of the a-la-mode offerings in our city this year – and how you can expand your culinary horizons in the new one.

According to Whole Foods Markets and Resto Biz, North American consumers have shown a strong desire for global fusion foodstuffs.

The trend was seen playing out this year on social media via the viral chamoy pickle trend, tanghulu ASMR and the Taiwanese-inspired cucumber salad that got more than 34 million views on TikTok and was blamed for shortages of the fruit (yes, a fruit) in Iceland and Australia. 

Here in Edmonton, fusion also reigned supreme, with kabayaki eel omurice, Korean BBQ fries and Takis-flavoured mini donuts all debuting at K-Days. 

Fu's Repair Shop's haute takes on dim sum topped Edify's list of best new restaurants, and Little Wolf's cod belly with fermented tomato, coconut oil and lime leaf helped it make Air Canada's 30 best new restaurants in the country.