We’ve all been there…

Scrolling on TikTok at 2 a.m., convincing ourselves, “Yeah, I really do need to try that ice cream cake with hot sauce.” (Don’t try that, by the way.) Well, you’re welcome because I decided to put seven viral food hacks to the test so you don’t have to. Here’s the truth: some of them were amazing, and others… not so much. Let’s dive in!

1. Spicy Noodle Wrapped in Rice Paper

Image Credit: cottonbro studio from Pexels

To start, soak a sheet of rice paper in water to soften it. Meanwhile, boil a pot of water or milk (I used milk), add the ramen noodles, and mix in the sauce to your preferred spice level (I used a whole packet). Once the noodles are cooked, add a slice of cheese, an egg yolk, and the seasoning packet. Next, place the cooked ramen onto the rice paper, wrap it up tightly, and fry it in a pan until crispy.

This TikTok recipe was everywhere, so I had to try it. The first bite was so crunchy, chewy, and spicy… but also kind of strange. The texture was a lot to handle. It was super crispy on the outside and gooey and chewy inside.

Overall, I’d give it a 9/10. It was tasty and fun to eat, but the texture might be a bit off-putting for some.

Take the Quiz: What Ramen Are You?

There are sooo many pre-packaged Ramen brands out there. Which one should you try/best fits your personality?

2. Feta Pasta (baked feta + cherry tomatoes + pasta)

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This one was absolutely divine. Super creamy, easy, and packed with flavor. Start by preheating your oven.

In a baking dish, add cherry tomatoes, place a block of feta cheese right in the center, then drizzle generously with olive oil. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes. While that bakes, cook your pasta on the side. Once the feta dish is out of the oven, mash and mix everything together, and then toss in the pasta.

As a pasta lover, I was obsessed with this. It made the perfect late-night dinner; quick, rich, and so creamy it looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did.

Overall, I’d definitely give this a 10/10. (Don’t think twice… just make it.)

3. Frozen Honey Challenge

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I was a bit scared to try this one since so many people had mixed feelings. You simply fill a bottle halfway with honey, freeze it for about 3 to 4 hours, and then squeeze and eat.

This was genuinely awful. The sweetness level was insane. I don’t have a sweet tooth, so it was basically miserable!

I’d give this a solid 4/10. If you want to taste something weird and borderline painful, go for it, but don’t do that, by the way.

4. Tanghulu

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This trend was all over TikTok at the start of 2024. First, pat your fruit dry with a paper towel. I used green grapes, strawberries, and raspberries.

The sugar syrup is a 2:1 ratio… one cup of sugar to half a cup of water. Pour them into a pan, bring to a boil, then carefully coat the fruit and immediately give them an ice bath to harden.

These turned out pretty sweet and so fun to eat! The hard, crunchy shell combined with the juicy inside? Chef’s kiss.

I’d give this a strong 9/10. Definitely worth trying (just maybe not at 2 a.m.).

5. Dubai Chocolate

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This one looked too good to pass up. It’s that fancy chocolate from Dubai stuffed with pistachio cream and those silky, stringy white strands (pashmak… kind of like Persian cotton candy). When I bit into it, it was honestly magical. The outer chocolate shell was rich and smooth, and inside, the pistachio cream was nutty and creamy, with the pashmak adding this airy sweetness.

It felt super luxurious, like something you’d have in a fancy hotel lobby at 2 a.m. after coming back from a luxurious night out with your best friends.

I’d give this a solid 10/10. Definitely worth the hype… but maybe don’t eat five pieces in one sitting.

6. Nature’s Cereal

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This trend had everyone (including Lizzo) obsessed. You fill a bowl with pomegranate seeds, blueberries, blackberries, and ice cubes… then pour in coconut water and eat it like cereal. It was super refreshing and made me feel like a health goddess for a moment.

The crunch from the pomegranate and ice is weirdly satisfying, and the coconut water adds a subtle sweetness. If you want the ultimate taste for this "cereal", then definitely use real fresh coconut water!

I’d give it a 9/10. Perfect for when you want to pretend you’re having a spa day at home (don’t expect it to replace actual cereal, though).

7. Bread Pizza

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The ultimate lazy day, midnight craving fix. Instead of using regular pizza dough, you grab a slice of bread (any kind works), spread on some pizza sauce (or tomato sauce if your desperate), add cheese, and top it with whatever you like, whether that's, pepperoni, veggies, or whatever’s hiding in your fridge. Pop it in the oven or air fryer until the cheese is melty and bubbly.

It was so simple and SO good. The bread gets slightly crispy on the edges but stays soft in the middle, and the cheesy part is the best thing ever.

I’d give it an 11/10. Perfect for when you want pizza but also want it in five minutes. Don’t blame me if you end up making five of these in one night!

The Last Slice

So there you have it, seven viral food trends that took my taste buds on an emotional rollercoaster. From creamy pasta to weird honey experiments, TikTok truly is a chaotic food playground. Some of these recipes were total winners that I’ll definitely make again (feta pasta and bread pizza), and the others… well, they can stay in 2024.

At the end of the day, food trends are meant to be fun, a little weird, and totally worth trying at least once, even if it’s just for the bragging rights.

And one last thing, fight me all you want, but pineapple absolutely belongs on pizza!