To commemorate World Food Day on October 16th, YouGov India organized a survey targeting urban Indian participants. The objective was to understand their culinary preferences and favored food brands. The survey outcomes provided valuable insights into the tastes and brand choices of city-dwelling Indians, revealing captivating patterns and regional differences.
Cuisine Preferences
Indian cuisine holds a special place in the hearts of urban Indians, with an impressive 81% of respondents citing it as their favorite. Following closely is Chinese cuisine at 28%, and Italian cuisine at 25%. Interestingly, Chinese and Italian cuisines are more popular among women, with 31% and 29% of female respondents favoring them, respectively. Conversely, men show a stronger affinity for Japanese cuisine (10%) compared to women (6%). Korean cuisine is preferred by 9% of women and 4% of men. Indian cuisine remains dominant across generations, although it’s intriguing to observe a slightly lower preference among Gen Z (76%) compared to millennials (83%) and Gen X (82%). American cuisine holds a niche appeal among the youngest adults, with 23% expressing a fondness for it.
City Rankings
Delhi takes the lead as the city with the highest rating for its culinary offerings, garnering approval from 34% of respondents. Mumbai closely follows with 28%, and Hyderabad secures the third spot with 21%.
Favorite Fast Food Brands
In the realm of Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) and fast food chains, McDonald’s and Domino’s are the front-runners, winning the preference of 46% of respondents. KFC follows closely with 42% support, while Pizza Hut and Burger King secure 27% and 24% of the vote, respectively. An interesting observation is the stronger resonance of McDonald’s among Gen X respondents, with 51% favoring it. Regional variations in fast food preferences are evident, with Domino’s being more popular in North India (52%), KFC in the South (59%), and East India (53%).
Coffee Shops and Tea Lounges
Starbucks stands as the unrivaled leader among coffee shops and tea lounges, capturing the affections of 50% of respondents. Barista secures the second position with 20%, closely followed by Costa Coffee at 14%. Notably, MBA Chai Wala, a relatively recent entrant in this segment, claims the fourth spot with 14% of respondents favoring it, particularly among males and the younger generation. Chai Sutta Bar rounds off the top five at 13%. Interestingly, Gen X appears to have a preference for coffee chains like Barista and Costa Coffee, while Gen Z gravitates toward tea bars such as MBA Chai Wala and Chai Sutta Bar (21% each).
Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Brands
In the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) sector, Paper Boat stands out as the top choice, selected by 42% of urban Indians. Happilo follows closely with 26%, and ID Fresh Food takes the third spot at 15%. Eat Better Co and Snackible secure 11% and 9%, respectively. An analysis based on age groups reveals that health-conscious Gen Z shows a stronger inclination towards contemporary healthy snack brands like Eat Better Co and Snackible, whereas the older Gen X tends to favor well-established brands such as Paper Boat and Happilo.
Meat & Seafood Brands
In the world of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) meat and seafood brands, Licious claims the leading position with 39% of the votes, closely followed by Fresh2Home at 30%, and Venky’s at 25%. Nothing But Chicken and Tender Cuts secure the fourth and fifth spots, with 16% and 12%, respectively. Regional variations are apparent, with Fresh2Home and Tender Cuts enjoying higher popularity in South India, while Venky’s finds a stronger resonance among residents of West India.
Indian cuisine continues to hold a special place, with intriguing differences observed among age groups. Additionally, brand preferences exhibit regional variations, creating a diverse culinary landscape within the nation. These discoveries offer a captivating look into the ever-changing tastes and inclinations of urban Indians, making this survey a valuable contribution to comprehending the dynamic food scene in India.
