Since the start of the year, viral food trends have been taking over social media platforms, capturing the attention of foodies, influencers, and even the food industry. From well known and high in demand desserts like the Dubai Chocolate Bar to fun experimental meals and creative takes on classic dishes, these trends have sparked a wave of culinary excitement. As restaurants and home cooks alike embrace these trends, the food industry is also adapting quickly, incorporating these must try sensations into menus and product offerings.

A well-known dessert on social media that caught my attention, along with many others', is the Hong Qi Propitious Ice Cream. This ice cream comes in various flavors, such as mango, peach, lemon, grape, and strawberry. So far, the mango flavor has attracted the most attention, and after trying it, I can see why. The ice cream has a unique texture and an incredibly creamy consistency that melts effortlessly in your mouth. The flavor is also refreshing and perfect for summertime.
My only problem with this ice cream was trying to find it. Since it grew so popular, every store that sells it instantly sells out as soon as new stock arrives. It felt like I was on a hunt trying to find the last few tubs. But it was a fun and well-deserved experience since the dessert lived up to its hype.

Another popular and creative dish that made a significant impact on social media was the cucumber salads. This healthy and light dish quickly gained attention for its simplicity and versatility, making it easy for everyone to customize based on personal tastes and dietary preferences.
I decided to make mine using soy sauce, sesame seeds, chili oil, garlic, and of course cucumbers. This combination brought a perfect balance of salty and savory flavors that compliment each other perfectly. My favorite thing about this food trend is the fact that you can do so much with a few simple ingredients to create something flavorful and satisfying.

A different viral dish that gained a lot of popularity is the Spicy Buldak Ramen Noodles. Since the flavor can get really intense and even overwhelming for some, it became a thrilling and slightly painful challenge for spice enthusiasts. Since my spice tolerance is extremely low, I decided to only use half of the sauce packet, which made it a little more tolerable.
Nevertheless, my mouth was still burning even after chugging three glasses of milk. This unforgettable dish truly lives up to its reputation for heat, and is something I’d probably never want to try again unless I were paid for it. The experience was pretty fun since I wasn’t the only one suffering, but this definitely had me questioning all my life decisions leading up to that moment.

My favorite food trend to try out was definitely Tanghulu. Even though this Chinese treat has been around for centuries, it gained massive popularity on social media over the past year.
This eye-catching combination of skewered fruits coated in a crunchy, sugary glaze exploded all over the internet. Since it has a very satisfying crunch and appealing look, it quickly became a favorite for many. Usually, people add strawberries, grapes, oranges, kiwis, etc., to their skewers to create a colorful and fresh mix of fruits. I loved the process of making my own Tanghulu at home; it was very simple and straightforward. This is a snack that I’ll definitely be revisiting in the future.

Another memorable snack experience was trying the chamoy pickle kit. This food trend has been popular for quite a while, with various flavors and different types of kits you can buy or make yourself. Still, this viral snack gave me mixed feelings, I honestly wasn’t sure what to think. I bought the actual kit to get the full experience, and while I definitely did, it ended up being a bit of a letdown.
My kit came with the Alamo Big Tex Chamoy pickle, watermelon-flavored Skwinkles, Tajín packets, two Fruit Roll-Ups, tamarind pulp candy, and Takis. It’s supposed to create a mix of spicy, sour, and sweet sensations, but it just made me feel nauseated. If I had to choose between the Buldak noodles and the chamoy pickle, I’d pick the noodles every time.

Finally, the dessert that took the internet by storm: Dubai chocolate strawberries. Since last year, there has been a surge of Dubai chocolate recipes—cookies, cake, ice cream, donuts, and now strawberries. Instead of going to a café and spending fifteen dollars on a cup, I decided to make the treat at home. The ingredients were easy to find, and it only took a few minutes to prepare.
The unique combination of chocolate, pistachio, and knafeh, paired with strawberries, made a great midnight snack. But honestly, if I had to describe this dessert in one word, it would be overrated. I’m glad I got to try it, and I certainly devoured it, but it’s not something I’m overly crazy about. Still, it was a fun way to join in on the trend and satisfy my curiosity.

Trying out these viral food trends definitely was an unforgettable experience. My flavor palette has been pushed in unexpected directions, from bold spice to unusual flavor combos. I honestly find it so endearing that every month, people come up with new and creative recipes or food combinations and share them with the world, sparking excitement and curiosity among food lovers everywhere. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next internet famous food trend will be and how it will challenge my taste buds even further.