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Feastopia is the North’s hottest food festival, taking over Times Square in the heart of Newcastle. It showcases an irresistible mix of local vendors serving up global street food, alongside eating challenges, cook-off competitions, and live bands!

Here is a round-up of what we ate:

Craving Asian

Tucked away in Ouseburn, Craving Asian is known for their Taiwanese fried chicken sandos, Hong Kong French toast and of course, chunky cookies!

Tofu Decker – Made with Taiwanese fried tofu between layers of fluffy focaccia, pickled red onions, house chilli mayo and cucumbers!

Craving Asian bakes all their bread in-house, and you can taste the freshness in this sandwich! It’s filled with crispy tofu, infused with subtle aniseed and a salty kick from the batter, delivering rich umami notes. The red cabbage adds a tangy contrast, while the pickled cucumbers deliver a fresh punch, aligned with tart and sour flavours having their moment in the spotlight (The Food People). Served alongside soy sauce pickles, this sando is a bold, salty, umami-packed bite from start to finish!

Recently, our marketing team have taken inspiration from Craving’s house-made chilli crisp, adding flavour, crunch and a chilli kick to our presentation dishes! But what exactly is chilli crisp? It’s a fiery, crunchy oil-based condiment packed with chilli, garlic, and aromatics, used to bring flavour, texture, and heat to a variety of dishes. Perfect on dumplings, cucumbers, or drizzled over rice, chilli crisp is having a moment, especially with Gen Z, with over half of whom (51%) consider themselves “hot sauce connoisseurs” (NCSolutions).

Wing Lab

A Sheffield-based vendor on tour in the North East, serving up crispy chicken wings, juicy tenders, and mouth-watering burgers. These guys prepare each dish with bold flavours, from classic favourites to exciting new twists.

Sweet and Sour – Tender wings with a perfect balance of sweetness and tang in the sauce.
Buffalo – A satisfying spice, fall-off-the-bone texture, with a hint of tang.
Maple and Bourbon – Smoky, sweet, with a subtle savoury background, melting in your mouth.

It was great to see flavours inspired by the American South, as Southern U.S. cuisine continues to grow in popularity among consumers in 2025 (Bidfood).


Spud Gun Loaded Fries

Chorizo Patatas Bravas Fries – Recommended as the owner’s favourite menu item. Crispy skinny fries topped with a rich tomato sauce, balanced by creamy mayo. A smoky seasoning added an extra layer of bold flavour.

The humble potato continues to trend in 2025, fuelled by TikTok sensations like Spud Bros and Spudman. As consumers seek comfort food to reconnect with each other away from screens and the busyness of daily life, the humble potato is making a heartfelt comeback in every format! (The Food People).

Motel Mexicana

Motel are dedicated to bringing Latino flair to Newcastle’s city centre!

Lentil Taco – A smoky, comforting bite with soft lentils, crispy onions, and a fresh kick from fresh lime and pickled onions. The contrast of textures worked well – a crisp yet soft toasted taco shell brought it all together. Bold in flavour, yet fresh and balanced.

Chilli Taco – Rich beef flavour comes through nicely, not overwhelmed by the tomato. The spice level brings a satisfying heat you can feel on the tongue. Toppings are well-balanced, with a squeeze of lime adding the perfect touch of acidity.

C.Cs Crumble and Dutch Pancakes

Dubai Pancakes and Dubai Crumble – Roasted Kunafa, Pistachio in Pistachio Sauce

Sweet and decadent pistachio-flavoured treats! Inspired by the viral Tik Tok Dubai chocolate bar, a full-scale pistachio revolution has been sparked across the food world. From pistachio drinks, bakes and even pizza, the nostalgic flavour offers consumers a premium and indulgent appeal (Speciality Food Magazine).

If you are looking for culinary trends, insights or inspiration based on the above blog, please get in touch: jessica.kane@dalziel.co.uk