Small plates: sharing is caring food trend for your restaurant

For your guests, that means more variety, more enjoyment and a sociable dining experience. And for you as a restaurateur? It's a great way to make your menu more flexible—and encourage guests to linger longer. We'll show you how to implement the concept in your restaurant, which classic dishes are a natural fit, and how to add that extra touch withtop-quality Kikkoman products.

Why is food sharing so enjoyable?

Food brings people together—it always has done. Sharing dishes naturally sparks conversation, and encourages us to try new flavours and enjoy each other’s company. 

For your guests, that means a very special dining experience:

• More variety: instead of choosing just one dish, everyone gets to try a bit of everything.
• Sociable atmosphere: food becomes part of the conversation—perfect for groups or even a first date.
• Relaxed dining: without a fixed menu or traditional main courses, the restaurant visit feels modern and informal.

Especially today, when diners are becoming more adventurous than ever and eager to try new flavour combinations, small plates are the perfect way to rethink how food is served and enjoyed.

Where did the small plates trend originate?

The idea of sharing dishes is far from new. Many food cultures have long-standing traditions based on exactly this principle:

• In Spain, it’s tapas—small savoury bites that go perfectly with wine.
• In Asia, meals often centre around sharing dim sum, gyoza or izakaya-style snacks with friends.
• The Middle East and Greece is known for mezze—a colourful variety of small dishes enjoyed together.
• Even in the USA, mini burgers (sliders) and finger food have long since become staples on many menus.

It's no wonder this global trend is taking off in modern hospitality—it taps into diners’ desire for more flexibility, more variety, and more sociable experiences.

How to implement small plates in your restaurant

If you want to integrate small plates into your restaurant concept, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Your menu: small portions, big taste experiences

The basis for a successful sharing concept is choosing the right dishes. They should not only appeal to your guests' taste buds, but also be visually attractive and, of course, easy to share.

• Offer a well-balanced mix of hot and cold dishes, so there’s something for every preference.
• Vegetarian and vegan options are essential to appeal to a wide audience.
• Play with different textures and flavours—crispy, creamy, savoury or fresh—for a varied and satisfying experience.

2. The right presentation – you eat with your eyes first

How you present your dishes is a key factor for success. Small plates shouldn’t just taste great—they should also be presented in an appealing way:

• Sharing platters or serving boards invite guests to help themselves and try a variety of dishes.
• Mini bowls or small dishes showcase each dish beautifully and turn eating into an experience.
• Finger food options make it easy for guests to enjoy dishes without cutlery—perfect for relaxed evenings and sociable gatherings.

3. Efficient kitchen processes

To ensure your sharing concept also works smoothly behind the scenes, it's worth thinking about optimising your kitchen operations:

• To minimise waiting times, choose dishes that are quick and efficient to prepare.
• Keep your menu flexible and seasonal to ensure variety and ongoing appeal.
• Use high-quality ingredients and bold flavours—like our Kikkoman products—to give your dishes that special touch.

Which classic dishes can be turned into small plates?

Many traditional dishes can easily be adapted to smaller servings:

• Beef steak with sides → mini steak skewers with an aromatic dip
• Fish mains → sushi bites or artfully arranged sashimi platters
• Burgers → mini sliders with creative toppings
• Soups → small bowls with intense flavours as starters
• Pasta → pasta nests with different sauces to sample
• Wok dishes → flavourful stir-fried wok vegetables served in small bowls

With these creative varieties, you can easily adapt your existing menu to the sharing trend—without the need to develop entirely new dishes.

How Kikkoman products give your small plates that certain something

A great dish stands or falls on its ingredients—and Kikkoman offers you the perfect selection of high-quality products to bring an extra touch to your small plates:

• Kikkoman Soy Sauce – perfect for dips, marinades and dressings that round off every dish.
• Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinades – ideal for glazed meat skewers, vegetables or small appetisers.
• Kikkoman Ponzu Lemon – adds a fresh, fruity twist to Asian-inspired snacks.
• Kikkoman Sesame Sauce – perfect for mini salads or bowls with an Asian touch.

Our versatile sauces bring extra flavour to your small dishes—and give your guests more to savour with every bite.

Small plates: the recipe for success in your restaurant

Whether you're looking to modernise your menu or offer your guests a more memorable way of dining, small plates make food more interactive, sociable and diverse. With the right ingredients, creative presentation ideas and premium products from Kikkoman, you can fully embrace this trend in your restaurant—and delight your guests.