The Minnesota State Fair has added 36 official new foods for 2026, and Minnesota food writers are already weighing in on which bites will be must-try items when the fair opens. The new list reflects some clear trends — a surge in Asian-inspired flavors, a return to pork-rind preparations and continued experimentation by experienced vendors — that could shape what fairgoers queue for this summer.
What stands out this year
Among the notable entries are two bao bun dishes featuring Korean-style barbecue elements, a strawberry ube tart, and a vendor offering Tanghulu — Japanese-style skewered fruit coated in a hard candy shell. Several vendors are also reworking pork rinds, using chicharrones in taco-style creations.
- 36 new official State Fair foods were announced for 2026.
- Asian flavors appear heavily on the list, including bao buns, ube tarts and Tanghulu.
- Pork rind preparations show up in multiple entries, signaling a trend toward crunch-forward dishes.
Food critics and writers who rank new fair foods each year say these early signals can help fairgoers plan their must-try lists, though they caution that expectations don't always match reality: favorites sometimes flop, and unknown items can surprise.
Vendors and notable items
Some familiar names and Fair-circuit veterans appear among this year's new entries. Saturday Dumpling Co. has previous Fair collaborations and is expanding its presence; dodopop, known for a dirty-soda drive-thru in Shorewood, is among the vendors; and new entries from businesses such as Summer Lakes Boat House are on the list.
One item singled out by local food writers as a top pick is the Walking Chopped Italian Grinder at Mancini's. Described as a chopped Italian sandwich riff on the walking-taco concept — blending sliced salami, pepperoncinis, green olives, artichokes, roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella pearls tossed in Italian dressing — it is already being tipped as a fan favorite based on its description and visual presentation.
| Trend | Examples from 2026 list |
|---|---|
| Asian flavors | Korean-style bao buns, strawberry ube tart, Tanghulu |
| Pork rinds | Chicharrón used by taco vendors including Blue Barn and San Felipe |
| Experienced vendors | Saturday Dumpling Co., dodopop, established Fair vendors |
One other notable absence on this year’s list: the Juicy Lucy, Minnesota’s famed cheese-stuffed burger, was not among the new offerings. Food writers pointed out that, given the sandwich's local cultural standing, its omission remains curious to many fairgoers.
What it means for fairgoers and vendors
For visitors, the variety suggests several new lines to watch for and potential wait times around particularly Instagram-friendly items. For vendors, the emphasis on bold, ethnic flavors and crunchy textures reflects a continuing push to differentiate offerings in a crowded food marketplace where novelty and shareability drive attention.
As always, declared favorites this early are predictions rather than guarantees. Fairgoers should plan for popular items to draw lines, and consider arriving early or visiting on off-peak hours to sample the new slate without long waits.
Coverage and rankings of the full slate of 36 new State Fair foods will continue as vendors reveal pricing, portion sizes and exact locations on the fairgrounds.
