“Frozen gourmet” was selected as the “Dish of the Year”, which selects a symbolic food that reflects the social conditions of the year.


The reason for this is that the movement of restaurants to sell their menus as frozen food has spread against the background of the corona wreck, and has gained consumer support.

"Frozen Gourmet" for "Dish of the Year"

The "Dish of the Year" is announced every year at this time by a food research company based on the number of searches on the Internet and consumer questionnaires.



This year, `` Gachi Chinese '', `` lactic acid drink '', `` plant-based food '' using plant-derived ingredients, and `` frozen gourmet '' were candidates, and as a result of the selection, `` frozen gourmet '' was selected.



“Frozen Gourmet” is a frozen food product developed and sold by a restaurant.

As for the reason why "Frozen Gourmet" was chosen, he cited the fact that the movement to introduce quick freezers among restaurants accelerated against the background of the corona disaster, and frozen food that reproduced the menu of the store as it was was born.



In addition, the development of original products at restaurants has progressed and the variety has increased, and the variety of purchasing methods such as stores and vending machines has gained support from consumers, as well as ease of storage and reduction of food loss. From the point of view of , it is highly flexible to changes in society and is considered to be an even more indispensable existence.

Ms. Moeno Ichikawa of Gurunavi Research Institute said, "There is a growing need to enjoy delicious food at home, partly due to the restrictions on movement caused by the coronavirus pandemic. I also want to try eating the same food at an actual store, triggered by frozen gourmet food. There are many people who say that, and it is expected to have a good effect on the restaurant industry after Corona."

Growing consumer demand for frozen foods

Behind the spread of frozen gourmet food is the growing consumer demand for frozen foods.

According to a household survey conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the annual amount spent by households with two or more people on "prepared frozen food" averaged 9,441 yen last year, roughly doubling over the past 20 years.



In particular, compared to 2019 before the spread of the new corona infection, it was 1624 yen in just two years, a significant increase of more than 20%.

The Japan Frozen Food Association has found that the number of dual-income households and single-person households is increasing, and there is a growing demand for frozen foods that require less cooking and save time. Our analysis is that the increase has further expanded the market.



In addition, while restaurants are searching for new sales channels due to the corona crisis, we have made efforts to quickly freeze freshly prepared menus as they are, so that they can be sold without losing their flavor and texture even after thawing. , New frozen gourmet products were commercialized one after another.

With the product lineup becoming richer year by year, there is a growing movement to expand frozen food sales floors in department stores and supermarkets, and outside of stores, frozen food vending machines have become an unusual hit. It became possible to buy frozen gourmet foods closer to home, which also led to an increase in support.

was nominated

This time, four foods and drinks were nominated as candidates for "Dish of the Year", including "Frozen Gourmet".

[Gachi Chinese]

"Gachi Chuka" is a dish rooted in the masses of various parts of China, which is not to Japanese tastes.



While overseas travel is restricted due to the corona crisis, a restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine for Chinese people in Japan has become a hot topic because it meets the needs of Japanese people who want local taste and atmosphere.

[Lactic acid drink]

“Lactic acid drink” is a beverage that is processed or made from dairy products fermented with lactic acid bacteria or yeast.



In addition to the needs for intestinal regulation effects, keywords such as "improving sleep quality" and "relieving stress" have recently been attracting attention, and various companies offer products that claim to be effective.



It became a hot topic on SNS.

[Plant-based food]

“Plant-based food” is food that uses plant-derived raw materials.



With the diversification of food preferences, the variety of products is expanding as an alternative to meat, fish, etc., and it is also being offered at restaurants.



It is also attracting attention as a food that reduces the environmental burden compared to meat production.