The UK ethnic restaurant and takeaway market offers a diverse range of cuisines, from Chinese to Caribbean, with the market made up of numerous independent operators as well as large chains; its elasticity in absorbing new and fusion cuisines (such as Japanese/Peruvian Nikkei) means it is well placed to meet changing consumer preferences.

Usage of ethnic restaurants is high, with 81% having ever ordered home delivery or takeaway from an ethnic restaurant and 79% having eaten in one, the former also being used more frequently. Whilst Chinese followed by Indian remain the most popular cuisines, Caribbean and Malaysian spark the greatest interest in trial amongst those who have not eaten them.

Market growth has been slow in recent years as consumers have been cautious in their spending but growth is expected to accelerate over 2014-19, a beneficiary of the forecast growth in real incomes. To make the most of this opportunity, individual operators must promote their authenticity and at the same time address poor perceptions of value for money and freshness.

Definition

This report refers to food served both as a takeaway/home delivery and sit-down meal from specialist ethnic restaurants.

Further research on the home delivery and takeaway sectors generally (including ethnic) can be found in Mintel’s forthcoming Attitudes to Home Delivery and Takeaway Food – UK, March 2015 report.

This report includes ethnic restaurants and takeaways specialising in any cuisines outside Europe, Russia, Australasia and North America.

The following definitions apply to the various cuisines referred to in this report:

  • Chinese: Peking, Cantonese and other Chinese variations

  • Tex-Mex: a blend of Mexican and Texan food culture eg fajitas

  • Caribbean includes cuisine from Jamaica as well as other Caribbean islands

  • North African: includes, for example, Moroccan and Algerian cuisine

  • Other African food includes cuisine from all other African countries other than in North Africa, such as Nigerian or Ghanaian

  • Middle Eastern food refers to all food from countries in the Middle Eastern region, such as the Emirates, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey

  • South American cuisine includes cuisine from all countries on the continent such as Brazil.

Excluded from this report are:

  • all ethnic ready meals and food products bought through retail channels, eg supermarkets

  • ethnic meals bought in non-specialist ethnic restaurants, eg pubs, hotels, sandwich shops etc

  • all European and North American foods, with the exception of Tex-Mex.

Abbreviations

GNPD Global New Products Database. For further details, please contact Mintel on 020 7606 4533
Nielsen Media Research For further information, please contact nmr.communication@nielsenmedia.co.uk
NPD

USP

BHA

EBITDA

EPOS
New Product Development

Unique Selling Point

British Hospitality Association

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

Electronic Point of Sale

Value figures throughout this report are at retail selling prices (rsp) and include VAT, unless stated otherwise.

Market sizes at constant 2014 prices are devised using Mintel’s foodservice deflator.

Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen’s Printer for Scotland.

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