Latest news with #viralfood
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Restaurant goes viral for serving up the world's most ‘disgusting pudding' – can you tell what's wrong?
A RESTAURANT has gone viral after serving up 'detergent sponges' and 'dishwater' as deserts. The weird desserts served at KANTIN at The Granary in Malaysia aren't actually cleaning supplies and dirty water - they are actually edible desserts and drinks. 4 4 The hyper-realistic dessert looks like a sponge that has just been used to wash the plates out the back of the restaurant. And when it is served, it even includes the soapy suds and a garnishing of detergent, that looks like washing up liquid. But all of this is actually edible. The dessert consists of a yellow and green sponge cake, cleverly decorated to look like a dish-cleaning sponge. The actual flavours include a lemon butter sponge with English orange marmalade, topped with a lemon foam. The 'detergent' is pandan lime syrup. To go with the dessert, guests get a complimentary cup of 'dishwater' that servers claim is 'curry flavoured' due to the staff just having their team meal - which was a chicken curry. In reality, the drink is a mix of turmeric, ginger water and coconut oil. Customers have been left shocked with how realistic it looks, with one person commenting on social media: "Omg. It really does look like sponge! You got the lil foam on it too!" The dessert - originally part of an April Fool's prank offering - will be served in the restaurant until the beginning of June. 'World's best burger' finally returns to UK after nearly a DECADE of fans begging 'this is a need, not a want' The dessert also only costs £4.73. The restaurant also serves a variety of other - more normal - dishes, and was award a Traveller's Choice Award from Tripadvisor in 2024. According to Tripadvisor, visitors should: "EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK! EVERYTHING IS ADDICTIVE!" The restaurant is located in a historical building - The Granary - which was built back in 1885. The venue serves Sarawakian food with a twist of innovation. Also, a popular Hong Kong restaurant that's famous for its 'delicious' menu will soon open its first UK site. Plus, The Sun's Sophie Swietochowski headed on a secret food tour taking you around a capital city – it should be on everyone's bucket list. 4 4
South China Morning Post
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
What is Ex-Boyfriend Toast? Viral internet story now a hot seller in New York's PHiL Cafe
Food does not always go viral for its flavour – sometimes, it is the story that sells. That is the case with 'Ex-Boyfriend Toast'. This simple dish – a slice of toasted bread topped with cream cheese and blueberry jam – has evolved from a viral internet post in Korea to a popular item at a cafe in Brooklyn, New York City. 'Treat yourself to a delicious toast – made with blueberry preserves and cream cheese – that has an interesting background story as to why it got its name!' reads the item description on PHiL Cafe's Uber Eats menu. Priced at US$10, it is reportedly one of the cafe's most frequently ordered items. The backstory involves a Korean woman who missed the toast her ex-boyfriend used to make for her. After their break-up, she texted him asking for the recipe – making it clear she was not trying to rekindle the relationship. To her surprise, he sent back a detailed set of instructions.
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Are viral food spots killing off actual restaurants? Hospitality boss complains influencers like Spudman and the Sidemen 'drain attention' from traditional businesses who struggle to compete
It's almost impossible to scroll through social media without being fed clips of viral food spots these days, but the posts might not be as harmless as they seem. The food industry has proven to be a lucrative sidestep for various UK influencers, with the likes of MrBeast and The Sidemen adding restaurants to their roster of businesses. While some influencers turn into restaurateurs and the like after establishing themselves as famous, others go down the opposite path and gain recognition because of their viral food offerings. The most notable examples include the jacket potato connoisseurs, Spudman and Spud Brothers, who have both taken the humble spud and turned it into worldwide fame and fortune. The latter potato entrepreneurs have found so much success that they are now franchising their business across the UK, allowing thousands of fans the opportunity to get their hands on the dish without travelling to the original Preston tram. However, a restaurateur has spoken out about the dangers of TikTok famous spots, and revealed the potentially detrimental consequences that they could have on Britain's food scene. Talking exclusively to Femail, Eddy Massaad, CEO of London steakhouse Swiss Butter, said of viral dishes and restaurants, 'The danger is that they shift expectations - people start valuing novelty over quality. 'When the industry chases clicks instead of connection, hospitality suffers. Viral brands can distort pricing, inflate short-term expectations, and drain attention from businesses built on real craft and care.' Influencer-owned businesses are not only altering customer expectations, but also making it harder for non-famous foodies to start or maintain their businesses, according to Massaad. He said, 'Influencers start with built-in audiences and enormous platforms, while most restaurants are still relying on word of mouth and footfall. 'That means you're not just competing with the restaurant across the street, you're competing with someone who can launch a brand to millions overnight. It's a different playing field, and it's forcing independents to think harder about brand storytelling and digital presence from day one.' Sides by The Sidemen is the perfect example. The group have built a following of over 18 million subscribers by sharing comedy sketches and online challenges since the launch of their channel in 2015. The group, who formed after bonding over their love of Grand Theft Auto, is made of Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji (better known as KSI), Simon Minter, Joshua Bradley, Tobi Brown, Ethan Payne, Vikram Barn, and Harry Lewis. After establishing themselves as one of the biggest names on YouTube, The Sidemen launched Sides, their Nashville-style fried chicken business, in 2021, which unsurprisingly found instant success. The group used their platform to create a buzz around the brand and carried out meet-and-greets at Sides locations to bring hordes of young people into their restaurants. Since 2021, Sides has opened five UK locations, launched ranges in Tesco and Iceland, and is set to open its first international restaurant in Singapore. Massad credited the success of restaurants like Sides with the creator's ability to seamlessly combine entertainment with commerce. 'People don't just want to eat the food, they want to be part of the story,' the CEO explained. He continued, 'That said, long-term success depends on more than personality. The novelty might get people in the door, but only quality, consistency, and service will bring them back. The influencers who understand that are the ones who'll last.' And it seems as though The Sidemen are aware that quality triumphs because they have a slew of loyal fans raving over their produce, such as food influencer Lauren Griffiths, @laurenkategriffiths on TikTok, who admitted that she's 'slightly obsessed' with the wings. However, the same apparently can't be said about MrBeast's business associates because he suffered a major hiccup following the launch of MrBeast Burgers. In August 2023, the YouTube megastar sued the company behind his branded line of MrBeast Burgers, demanding it be shut down after customers blasted their meals as 'inedible'. MrBeast, known for his extravagant cash giveaways, filed the lawsuit in New York District Court, accusing Virtual Dining Concepts of damaging his reputation by selling undercooked burgers and cold fries with his name on them. The Florida-based company partnered with the then-25-year-old, real name Jimmy Donaldson, to launch the food-based venture back in 2020, using storefronts of other existing restaurants to cook up the sandwiches. Known as 'ghost kitchens', the concept was initially a hit, with Donaldson successfully parlaying his fame so more than 10,000 lined up for the opening of the first MrBeast Burger location in New Jersey's American Dream shopping centre. It also saw more than a million burgers sold before Donaldson even had the opportunity to advertise them. But since then, the suit claimed that Virtual Dining Concepts had repeatedly damaged the YouTuber's reputation by failing to ensure the burgers' quality, and at times served raw food. However, the mishap hasn't stopped MrBeast from pursuing business in the food industry, and the influencer still has a line of popular chocolate bars, Feastables. Massaad believes that restaurateurs are watching the path taken by the likes of MrBeast - and learning from their mistakes. He said, 'The industry is watching closely. Influencer-led food brands can generate incredible hype in a short amount of time, and that's changing how restaurants think about visibility.' 'But the real test comes after the launch buzz fades. That's when you see who's built something lasting and who's just built a moment.' While the CEO is still navigating the industry changes perpetuated by social media, he remains positive. He concluded, 'If we're smart, we can learn from the hype without being consumed by it. The goal is to create something worth talking about - whether you've got 10 followers or 10 million.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Is the Dubai chocolate craze finally over? Popular UK version of the treat ranks among the worst-rated bars on Ocado
Britons' have gone mad for the viral Dubai chocolate in recent times, but the hype might be coming to an end. Influencers have jetted across the globe to get their hands on the milk chocolate bar, created by Dubai-based Fix Dessert Chocolatier, which is filled with crispy knafeh, pistachio cream, and tahini spread. It didn't take long for dozens of confectioners to create their versions, with Lidl and Waitrose among the supermarkets flogging alternative takes of the chocolate bar in the UK. However, Lindt's iteration has met a slew of negative reviews on Ocado, indicating that the buzz might be nearing its end. The customer insights are so negative that the Lindt's Dubai chocolate is among the worst-rated on Ocado, according to The Grocer. The Swiss chocolatier introduced the £10 treat in December, which caused such a fierce storm on TikTok that Waitrose imposed a two-bar limit. In a surprising turn of events, Ocado found that it has largely failed to impress its customer base and achieved a lowly average of 2.8 stars out of five, with one complaining that it's 'not worth the hype or the price'. The reviews meant Lindt's version ranked lower than Munchies Orange Share Bag, Werther's Original Chocolate Covered Caramels, and Wagon Wheels Original. Of the 50 customers that ranked the famous product, just 40 per cent said they would recommend it to others. Writing on the website, one wrote, 'Overpriced and I don't taste enough pistachio in it. Would not buy it again.' Another said, 'I don't love it... And for a tenner I definitely need to love it. I don't hate it, but it's just nothing special which is a shame as I'm a massive pistachio fan, and there just isn't enough pistachio flavoured products in the UK. A third wrote, 'Not worth the money. It needs a much thicker layer of pistachio. I didn't really enjoy it, I've had much better.' A fourth said, 'Don't believe the hype. It was nice, don't get me wrong but not worth the money. I got the same effect by putting M&S pistachio crème on a honey nut shredded wheat. Spend the money on some chocolate baklava instead. MailOnline has contacted Lindt for comment. In November, hundreds of shoppers queued up in the rain for hours in the western German city of Aachen to get their hands on the Lindt bar - with only 100 on offer. The most dedicated fans said they travelled over 4,000 miles to get their hands on the sweet treat. Ocado users reviewed the viral Lindt Dubai-style chocolate bar - and many were unimpressed with the treat With their camping chairs and waterproof jackets in hand, customers entering the store were greeted with staff members in white chef outfits and offered a sample of the Dubai style chocolate. They were then ushered over to buy a single bar bearing a unique number to add an element of exclusivity. Speaking to the Independent after leaving the Lindt store in Aachen with the bar in hand, Zi Cheng Lai, 23, from Malaysia, said: 'It's a hype, a trend on social media, with people waiting in long lines. 'We want to try it out here and be part of it.' Elsewhere in Stuttgart, Leon Faehnle told AFP: 'I waited 10 hours. I've been here since midnight just to taste this chocolate.' Unlike the Ocado reviewers, an influencer called Angelina told her followers on TikTok that the bar was a 'dream'. The London-based creator said the chocolate featured a swirl design that looked like 'a piece of art painted by Vincent Van Gogh' and was 'creamy milky perfection' that melted in her mouth. The Dubai style chocolate was created in 2021 by British-Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda. The Dubai-based businesswoman founded Fix Dessert Chocolate as a response to her pregnancy cravings and love of dessert, with 'Fix' standing for 'freaking incredible experience'. 'To be honest, not at any point did I think this was going to become global,' Sarah told CNN. 'It's insane what's been happening,' she added in response to the demand for the 'Can't Get Knafeh of it' bar from people all over the world. This is certainly apparent over on X, where people are issuing shout-outs to Dubai residents to help them source a bar. 'Whoever is travelling back from Dubai to London could you get me a fix dessert chocolatier chocolate bar cause I'm dying to try it,' wrote one fan. Another said: 'I need to go to Dubai and try Fix Dessert chocolates immediately.' And a third wrote: 'I'm gonna buy that fix dessert knafeh flavored chocolate bar once I get back to Dubai.' For Hamouda, creating Fix has been a labour of love. She said: 'We take a lot of time and effort, and put a lot of love into our bars.
