The Culture of Living Alone: How the “Single Life” Trend Is Changing Our Tables

From the Impact of the Single Life to Singles’ Day Celebrations: Not Loneliness, but a Symbol of Personal Strength

Today, “eating alone” is no longer a symbol of loneliness — it’s a symbol of freedom.
All over the world, millions of people are creating a new dining culture shaped by their own pace, taste, and lifestyle: Single Life.

This movement transforms not only the way we live but also the way we eat. Large family-sized stews are being replaced by single-serving cast iron pots.
Tables may no longer be crowded, but they are full of meaning; meals are prepared quickly but leave a lasting impression.

In today’s fast-paced world, even in the midst of crowds, life feels increasingly individual. Between the endless tasks, meetings, and obligations, solitude has become not a burden but a choice — a form of rest. It’s a declaration of independence: “I am free, and I am enough.”

That mindset now extends to the kitchen, shaping the modern “Single Life” trend.
LAVA stands as the most trusted companion of this transformation — because cast iron preserves the soul of a patiently cooked meal, encouraging you to cook not in haste, but with joy. Just as “living alone” represents a more conscious, refined lifestyle, so does cooking slowly, deliberately, and for yourself.

How Did the Single Life Trend Begin?

Modern life has changed not only human relationships but also how we eat.
Once, the family dinner was the heart of social life. Today, around the world, the number of single-person households is rapidly increasing.

A Global Transformation

According to United Nations data (2024), 35% of households in Europe, Japan, and South Korea consist of a single person.
In cities like London, Tokyo, and Berlin, “solo living” has become a way of life, influencing everything from apartment design to restaurant menus.
Single-seat dining tables, smaller portioned food products, and mini cookware have become the new norm.

This is not merely an economic choice — it’s an expression of freedom, self-ownership, and mindfulness.

The Rise of Solo Living in Türkiye

Türkiye is no exception.
According to TÜİK data, as of 2023, more than five million people live alone.
Among young professionals and students in major cities, “living alone” is no longer a necessity but a preferred lifestyle.

Remote work, personal well-being, minimalism, and the slow life philosophy are reshaping everyday routines — and kitchen culture is becoming simpler and more intentional.

As a brand that embraces this transformation, LAVA redefines the modern table with single-serving cast iron pots, mini grill pans, and individual serving dishes.

A New Generation of Eating: Fast, Personal, and Emotional

Technology, urban life, and time pressure have all changed our eating habits.
Even when dining out, people now seek a personal experience.
You can create “your burger” or “your pizza” — made just the way you like it.

This is why “solo dining” isn’t about loneliness anymore; it’s about a customized taste experience.

The Transformation of Fast Food

Once, fast food was about eating quickly and moving on.
Today, a new category has emerged: “fast casual.”
It offers fast service, but with quality ingredients, personalized sauces, and custom cooking styles.

Across Europe, gourmet burger bars and in Türkiye, artisan pizzerias, symbolize this evolution.

At home, this shift takes shape through LAVA’s cast iron grill pans — letting you cook the same restaurant-quality burger in your own kitchen.
Because cast iron distributes heat evenly, you get that perfect texture — crispy outside, juicy inside — just like in a professional kitchen.

Examples of “Solo Dining” Around the World

Japan – The Philosophy of Hitori Gohan

Japan was one of the first countries to normalize “eating alone.”
In Tokyo, hitori gohan restaurants are built around the ideas of privacy and calm.
Minimalist presentations, rice served in small cast iron pots, and silent dining experiences allow people to reconnect with themselves.

LAVA’s clean, elegant designs perfectly reflect this philosophy — quiet yet powerful.

Italy – Less but Authentic

Italian cuisine is about balance in a single dish.
In Rome’s trattorias, menus increasingly feature single-portion pastas and baked dishes like parmigiana di melanzaneserved in cast iron trays.
LAVA’s mini oven dishes bring a contemporary touch to Italy’s timeless slow cooking tradition.

America & Europe – The Rise of “Gourmet Solo Dining”

In London, Paris, and New York, “solo dining” restaurants are on the rise.
Small plates, personalized chef experiences, and even single-seat cooking stations define this trend.

At home, this takes the form of personal cooking rituals — a cast iron pan, a small casserole, or a mini roast dish.
Cooking for yourself becomes more than a necessity; it becomes a form of self-care.

Türkiye’s New Era of Dining Culture

Turkish cuisine has always been rooted in sharing — but today, even that tradition is evolving.
Small meze plates, single-serving breakfasts, and mini dessert casseroles are becoming more common.

After the pandemic, people began spending more time at home, creating their own intimate, curated tables.
LAVA supports this new era with its motto: “Timeless Taste.”

Every product — whether used by a chef or a home cook living alone — offers the same promise: durability, warmth, and balance.
From a personal cauliflower bake in a mini oven tray to a single serving of beans in a cast iron pot, or crispy chicken wings grilled on a LAVA pan — these are small but heartfelt meals that redefine modern living.

11.11 Singles’ Day – Celebrating the Power of One

November 11 (11.11) was born in China as a day for single individuals to celebrate their independence.
Over time, it became the world’s largest shopping festival.

Today, Singles’ Day represents not loneliness but self-worth, reward, and empowerment.

This year, LAVA brings the spirit of 11.11 into the kitchen: