How and what we ate in 2024

The past year saw food trends that notably found their way into everybody’s kitchen.

While we all have our favorites, Filipinos definitely succumbed to these culinary wonders as people have become adventurous when it comes to their food.

Here are some culinary trends that defined 2024. Are these hits or misses for you?

TikTok influence

Social media app TikTok continues to wield strong influence with its viral food trends. Take, for example tanghulu, a popular northern China sweet snack. Tutorials on how to make these sugar-coated fruits have amassed more than 27 million views on TikTok.

Another one that went viral are the chocolate muffins that were served at the Paris Olympics. Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen posted about them from Paris and the Internet went crazy.

There’s also the Cucumber Salad, Sleepy Girl Mocktail and Dense Bean Salad that went viral on TikTok.

Viral Champorado Dome

Bistro by Le Blanc’s version of champorado were all over our social media feeds. The trending Triple Chocolate Champorado, as described on the restaurant’s menu, is a “rice porridge with powdered milk, covered with a semi-sweet milk chocolate dome, and poured with evaporated milk.” A hot milk being poured over melts the chocolate mount.

What makes it so appealing are the ingredients used: cocoa, a mix of dark and semi-sweet chocolate, and Risa Chocolates (70-percent South Cotobato Chocolate Bar).

Dubai chocolate bar

There is one chocolate bar that people all over the world tried to get their hands on. Called Can’t Get Knafeh of It from Dubai-based Fix Dessert Chocolatier, it features a crispy kataifi, pistachio and tahini paste, all wrapped in milk chocolate. The bars are exclusively available only in Dubai and can be ordered at 2 or 5 p.m. local time via Deliveroo.

Fix founder Sarah Hamouda tells Today.com that “exciting plans” are in the pipeline to reach more customers around the world.

Pork Pastil controversy

While many are happy with pastil becoming a mainstream favorite, many are criticizing the recent change in its recipe.

Pastil is a binalot-style rice dish from Mindanao made with steamed rice and shredded beef, chicken, or fish wrapped in banana leaves. Considered a “halal” food, Pastil is served during special ocassions such as weddings, birthdays and other Muslim celebrations.

However, the reinvented pastil called Pork Pastil spark outrage among BARMM executives.

“Pastil is very important culturally and historically for the Bangsamoro, specifically for Maguindanaoans. We’re happy because it’s becoming mainstream in other parts of the country… (but) cultural appropriation should be looked into because in Muslim Mindanao culture… it’s culturally insensitive kapag ang ginawa nating meat sa pastil ay pork (if the meat used to cook pastil is pork),” BARMM spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun said.

Non-Muslims are free to do their own version of the food, though they should refrain from calling it pastil.

Hapag’s Batchoy

Fine-dining Hapag’s version of La Paz Batchoy sparked mixed reactions among netizens.

The deconstructed version is served in a terracotta bowl with noodles on one side, fried garlic, green onions, chicharon, and a slice of pork. The broth of the batchoy will be poured from a blue teapot. A sourdough puto is seen at the side.

Ilonggos deemed the new batchoy as “unrecognizable,” also pointing out its very small portion as the food is known to be served in large servings.

Asin tibuok nomination

The Philippines has nominated the making of asin tibuok, Bohol’s artisanal sea salt, in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding category.

Asin tibuok is baked inside oval clay pots about the size of a fist. After its cools a little the clay shell is peeled, revealing a solid off-white salt orb.

The nomination of asin tibuok was prepared by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Museum of the Philippines and the provincial government of Bohol in collaboration with the mangasinays, or local salt makers, other culture bearers and practitioners, the municipal government of Alburquerque and the cultural organization Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council.

‘Girl dinner’

While it started in 2023, the concept of “girl dinner” by LA-based creator Olivia Maher went viral this year. “Girl dinner,” as the name suggests, is anything that a girl wants for dinner — thrown-together, small graze bites.

Moher’s version, the video that went viral, features a smorgasbord of grapes, cheese, cornichons and a glass of red wine.

She said, “A girl just came on here and said how in medieval times, peasants had to eat nothing but bread and cheese, and how awful that was… and she was like, ‘that’s my ideal meal.’ This is my dinner. I call it ‘girl dinner,’ or ‘medieval peasant.’”

Korean fruit bowl

Hwachae, or Korean watermelon punch, is a traditional punch where omija syrup is used to make the base. Either edible flowers or fruits cut into flower shapes are garnished on top. However, TikTokers have highlighted their versions of this drink: water with honey mixed with strawberries (molded into balls), milk and Sprite.

Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill

The much-talked about first Gordon Ramsay restaurant in the country opened in August. At Newport World Resorts, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill Philippines features British classics including Gordon’s Signature Beef Wellington, perfectly grilled steaks, fresh market seafood and a delightful array of sides and desserts.

Alongside the exciting culinary menu, the restaurant also hosts a remarkable bar experience, offering high-end wines from around the world, sought-after spirits and expertly hand-crafted cocktails.