Donut poutines & Area 51 taco burgers? KDays unveils its wildest food lineup yet

People line up at Kdays in Edmonton on July 19, 2024. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton)

One of the most anticipated traditions is making its way back for KDays this summer. Explore Edmonton unveiled more than 50 brand-new foods and beverages coming to KDays 2026.

“The first question everyone asks when KDays is around the corner is, ‘What’s new to eat this year?’” said Jessie Radies, director of KDays at Explore Edmonton, in a news release Tuesday.

The menu features items from outrageous midway creations to globally inspired street food. Edmontonians are being promised options packed with bold flavours and “Instagram-worthy” bites that are as fun to look at as they are to eat.

“The New Foods Competition has become a summer tradition all on its own, and our vendors never disappoint. Whether you’re brave enough to try the craziest creation on the midway or you’re just looking for your next favourite treat, it’s all part of what makes KDays such a fun and uniquely Edmonton experience,” added Radies.

Some of the food options include:

• Area 51 Taco Burger – A Doritos-crusted UFO bun stuffed with seasoned beef, nacho cheese, jalapeños and lettuce, then topped with sweet mango, chamoy, Tajín and cilantro-lime sauce for an out-of-this-world burger experience.
• Maki Sushi Corn Dog – A hot dog wrapped in sushi rice and seaweed, coated in crispy panko and topped with teriyaki, spicy mayo, ginger and wasabi for a playful fusion of fair food and sushi.
• Monster Cheesy Samyang Takoyaki – Takoyaki loaded with spicy Samyang noodles, melted cheese and house-made sauce, then finished with chili garlic, bonito flakes and nori for a bold, fiery bite.
• Flipside Bao – Smoky pork belly tucked into a vibrant ube bao with tangy pickled papaya and signature sauce, delivering sweet, savoury and smoky flavours in every bite.
• Cookies N Cream Korean Dog – A crispy Korean corn dog filled with halal hot dog and melty mozzarella, finished with sweet icing and crushed Oreos for an indulgent sweet-and-savoury treat.

Festival goers can also expect some sweets to go along with those savoury items:

• Deep Fried Butter Oreos – Oreo cookies stuffed with real butter, battered, fried until golden and finished with more melted butter and icing sugar for an unapologetically over-the-top dessert.
• Poppin’ Donut Poutine – Fresh mini donuts stand in for fries while marshmallows become cheese curds and toffee drizzle replaces gravy, all topped with popping candy for a dessert that crackles with every bite.
• Butter Drizzled Vanilla Soft Serve with Sea Salt – Creamy vanilla soft serve topped with warm melted butter and flaky sea salt for a surprisingly simple sweet-and-salty combination.
• Dubai Coconut Pistachio Ice Cream – Pistachio soft serve served in a fresh coconut and finished with crushed pistachios, strawberries and dark chocolate, inspired by one of this year’s biggest dessert trends.

Like every year, all new foods and drinks will be entered into the KDays New Foods Competition, where local judges award the best savoury dish, sweet dish and beverage. Fairgoers will also have the chance to cast their vote throughout KDays to crown the People’s Choice winner.

You can find the complete list of KDays 2026’s menu and information on how to vote here.

KDays returns to the Edmonton exhibition grounds July 17 to 26.